Busy Days

Life has been very busy at the Crane House. I feel like time has gone into warp-speed since Emma's first birthday.

We've had some exciting events since my last post. Emma officially started walking about 3 weeks ago. I came home from work that night and Dusty was like, look at this! There she was, toddling after a cell phone. Three weeks later, she's into everything. She's a fast little walker. She's getting more efficient every day! She has gotten quite a few bumps and bruises since she started walking on her own. I guess that's why they call them toddlers. Emma and Dusty went to the Nashville Zoo last week. When they picked me up from work, Emma had a bruise and scratches on the side of her cheek. I was appalled! "What happened to my baby!?" I asked. "She was running from a goat." Ahh! Life with a one-year old.

One of Emma's new favorite things to do is pile things. She loves to open the bathroom cabinet and one by one take the washcloths, towels, and handtowels into the living room. She does the same thing with diapers out of her diaper caddy downstairs.

Emma's verbal skills have been increasing. She loves to try and mimic words we say. One of her favorite words right now is "Baybee". She also says - "hi" and "hiya" and "eeeeeeeeeee" (that's ear if you didn't know).

Here's a few of my favorite pictures from the past two months. She's growing so much!

Letter from Mommy

Note - I wrote this for Emma on her first birthday - it has just taken me awhile to get the post up.

Emma Grace -


Here we are, one year! One year ago - 365 very short days - you joined our family. I could go on for pages just at how time has flown since your arrival. Instead, I'll keep my reminicing to a minimum and then look towards the future and all it holds for you, my sweet girl.


This past week I've been feeling very emotional over the anniversary of your birth. I keep thinking about how at this time last year I was huge, or how your daddy and I were doing this and that to prepare for your arrival. It's so hard to imagine a year has flown by and oh what a magical year! I will never forget the day of your arrival, the feeling. It was the most incredible experience in my life. Meeting you for the first time after months, well years, of dreaming what you would be like was utterly amazing. Words can hardly explain. The doctor immediately put you on my chest and there you were, those gorgeous eyes and thick dark hair, staring at me. We looked at each other as if we had known each other forever. It was a love so instaneous, so strong. I hope one day you too are blessed with motherhood so you can completely understand this feeling.


I read this the other day and had to share because it is very true. Children come into our lives and shatter them into a million piecies, but then put it back together like a stained glass window, more beautiful than ever before. Emma, you have changed our lives in every way imaginable, and I love you for it! Sleeping in is now 8:30AM. A late night is closing in on 9PM. The day tends to revolve around a little nap for you, making sure you get healthy food, and what toys to play with. I don't know what my life would be without you my beautiful baby-girl.


Emma, over this past year, you've grown and changed so much. From my little dark haired, snuggly newborn to my curly, light haired on the go toddler. You're into everything. You always have been. From the day you were born, you were interested in the world. You've always been wide-eyed, wanting to take every thing around you in. I hope that you will always keep that sense of wonder about you. I hope you will always thirst to learn more as you travel through your life. You're my strong-willed little girl. You're determined and independent, just like me. Don't ever lose that determination. I hope you find your passion in life and go for it. You will achieve great things my little one. I just know it.


Emma, I love you more than I can ever begin to explain. I thank God for you each and every day. I'm so thankful for the blessings He has given me. You and your daddy are my life. This has been an amazing year, filled with love, tears, and laughter. We have so many exciting adventures ahead of us!


Happy birthday my sweet little girl!

One Year Emma

Our ever so talented friend Brittany did Emma's one-year photo shoot. Here's the sneak peak. Check out the rest of her site, Moncrief Photography, while you're there. Her photos are breath-taking!

Happy Birthday, Emma!

Our sweet little Emma Grace turned one this month! We can hardly believe that one year has flown by! We threw Emma a birthday party to celebrate the big event. We had lots of fun with family and friends. We weren't sure how Emma would like all the people in the house, but she did wonderfully! She is such a social butterfly. She cruised around the house with her little stroller, socializing with all her friends! She was most interested in the huge pile of presents and even managed to get her new little froggie loose from one of the packages. Cake wasn't as interesting to Em. Aunt Becca had made two beautiful cakes for Emma, one for the guests and one for the birthday girl. Emma carefully picked off each little yellow dot from the flowers. She did not really care to "dig" into the cake. Daddy tried to help her squish her fingers in it, but she was very timid about it all. She ended up eating a little bit and trying to feed more to Mommy and Daddy! All in all, it was a wonderful day!

The beautiful cake Aunt Becca made!

Presents!!!!

Emma trying to get into her presents!

Cake time

Emma actually enjoyed opening presents and looking at all her new toys!

Would you like a plastic cookie? It's very tasty.

Going to the Zoo Zoo Zoo

Week before last, Dusty and I took Emma on her first trip to the zoo. The only time we were able to go was the middle of the day - note it was quite hot and it was most of the animals nap time. However, we had a fabulous time. Emma made sure to be very polite, waving at the elephants and the zebras. My favorite happening was the visit to the rhinos. Emma was in her stroller, so we did not want to take her out, knowing all too well that she would not want to return to her cozy seat. We lifted her up, stroller and all, to see the rhino that was about 10 feet from us. At first she seemed interested, but then she realized a cheerio was left on her stroller tray. Yum! MUCH more interesting!

Emma keeping an eye on the animals.

Pointing at the zebras.

My Cranes in Tennessee.

Ahhhh, fun at the zoo.