Easter...

In past years it has been easy to forget the reason for this holiday. Last year I became more aware of it as I received my first communion and became a full member of the Catholic church. This year however, Easter had more significance as Matt and I had Emma baptized. It was a nice ceremony which took place during mass on Easter Sunday. We chose Emma's aunt and uncle to be her Godparents, as they are both active members of the church and have children who they are raising Catholic. Emma wore a Christening gown that is 50 plus years old and has been worn by many. Several family members attended and gathered at my mom's house after. It was nice to have everyone together. Emma fell asleep just before it was time for the water to be washed over her head. She let three cries out as the water hit and immediately fell back asleep.

Emma is such a happy baby and she is growing so fast...

here are some other recent pictures!

Warm weather is on it's way....

The arrival of Spring brings much excitement to our home! Watching the snow melt means it will soon be time to start looking for antlers, taking rides in the jeep, spring fishing and showing Emma all our favorite spots. Spring time is just so exciting, especially since we spent so much time in the house this winter. Matt and I are really "on-the-go" kind of people and we're ready to get Emma out there with us! We're looking forward to lots of camping trips this summer and lots of time playing outside. Last summer was mostly work and very little play. The only projects we're planning for this summer are painting the house, insulating the basement and of course there's always firewood to cut, split and stack. A few little projects we can do together and enjoy eachother's company while we're at it!

Miss Emma!

Here are some more recent pictures of our beautiful little girl....

Emma hanging out in her Winnie the Pooh bouncy seat....


Emma and I at my Grammy's apt. in Canada!

Emma dozed off while her Grammy

rocked her this morning.

Happy Valentine's Day!

...and how could it not be happy

when it starts out seeing this?!

Motherhood!

So far, I just absolutely L O V E being a mom! There is nothing better. Emma is just amazing! The past month has been amazing watching her grow, change and develop each day. Last night Emma completely surprised us when she rolled over for the first time, at one month old! She is just beautiful and incredibly strong. I brought her for her one month check up and she is growing fast. Already up to 22 and 5/8" long and 11 pounds 11 ounces. She had her second Hep. B vaccine and I am sure it hurt me more than it hurt her. We are now looking at the next set of vaccines, HIB, dTap, polio and mmr, which there has been much debate about. So far, I have decided Emma will only receive two vaccines at a time, as opposed to the usual four. As wonderful as being a mother is, there are so many things to worry about. These vaccines are a pretty hot topic. My step-sister Donna, (mother of a 2 year old and 4 month old) have spent a large amount of time discussing the vaccine schedule along with other concerns we both have. I suppose these are just the beginning of my worrying days! But it is all so completely worth it.

She's Here!

Since May 1st we have been anticipating the arrival of our baby. We had a very busy nine months, with the moving of the house and making sure everything would be all set when it was time to "bring home baby".

January 7th was by far the most amazing, and wonderful day of our lives! Emma Paradise Vining was born at 5:34p.m. in Waterville. She weighed 9lbs 9.1 oz. and was 21 and 1/4" long!

We had an amazing team of dr's and nurses who took care of us while in the hospital and throughout the past nine months. However, when Friday came we were ready to come home. We've been back in Jackman for one week now and everything is going great!

Making progress and it's a good thing... Fall is here!

We started off the summer by digging a huge hole, literally! Our yard has been not much else than dirt, mud and heavy equipment for the past couple months. Alas, we are gaining!

We managed to successfully get our foundation poured and jack our house up three feet higher than it used to sit.

Thanks to some wonderful friends and amazing family, we are finally seeing some light at the end of what seemed like a very long tunnel. Saturday, August 30th we are actually going to move the house... well, not we ~Matt~ is going to move the house.

Matt has worked incredibly hard this summer (and always) to complete this process. As happy as I am that we are nearing the end, I can only imagine how relieved he will be when it is finished.

Aside from one camping trip and a wedding, this is pretty much what our weekends have consisted of all summer. I will definitely be posting more pictures after this weekend. Hopefully all goes well and our house will still be in one peice come Monday!

Destruction... or Construction???

We talked all winter about putting a foundation under our house. For a while it seemed like a lot of just that, talk. Spring came and we started talking more and now the project has begun! I guess the idea that we'll have a baby in January wasn't quite enough excitement for us.

YIKES!
Friday we started digging, Sunday is here and the whole is completely dug. The shed is now on the other side of the yard, and we no longer have a pretty yard.

This week the footer and the walls will be poured. Then comes the interesting part... we get to move our house! I guess that is the part that has me a bit nervous.