February 5, 3 Weeks Old

Here she is at 3 weeks, you can start to see the growth when comparing all of the weekly photos! This adorable outfit is from Julie D.

Tummy Time

James & Lindsey sent Emma this wonderful tummy time play mat! She has really enjoyed it!

Emma's first Paul Frank Outfit!

I bought this while we were in Michigan before she was even born... I fell in love with the ruffles on the booty!
Can you tell someone was tired of taking photos! lol

Snoozing on Mommy

Just too sweet

First time for a Japanese dinner

Together with the O'Connor family at Orange County's Hibachi Steak house! It was a first for Emma, Ashley, Madeline and Emily!

Photo Friday January 29th 2 Weeks old

I can't believe how much she has already grown! This outfit is one of a large set from the Allen family (Mike's sister Ronda, Mike, Malia & Alyssa)

Random photo day!!

Ever wonder what a months worth of mail looks like???? We were gone from California for 1 full month and when I picked up the mail at the post office this is what it looked like... organized obviously.... Christmas cards, presents, bills (the smallest of the stacks, whoo hoo!!), random junk, and then catalogs and magazines! NOT too terrible... lol

Emma was hanging in the swing while I sorted ;-)

Working with Mommy!

Yes, I am blessed with a job that allows me the opportunity to take Emma to the office with me daily. At this point she sleeps most of the time we are there and when she is not sleeping she is either eating or we sit and play for a bit! It is wonderful!!!

Photo Friday!!! A new tradition for Emma

Since we got home I have been taking photos of Emma on Fridays, the day that she was born, with a certain doll, the one from her Big Sister Hayden and with a stuffed bear from Christina and the girls. The first photo I will be posting was not a Friday due to the date we arrived back in California... but from this photo on it will be her Friday photos.

Here is the first of them...

Then I was able to catch this photo which is pretty cute of her with her eyes open and stretched out a bit!














You've already seen the one of her in the family crib with the bear in the corner... but here is another one from the same day without the bear.

On our way HOME to California!!!!

After a month away from home we are headed back to California, warm weather... here we come!!!

Emma takes her first flight at 9 days old! She slept for 90% of the flight!




We arrived in Orange County, John Wayne airport and was greeted by my BFF Christina waiting patiently with Emma's Welcome Home sign! With all that Christina and I have been through together during our individual journeys to parenthood, this moment was an another amazing milestone! Needless to say there were a lot of happy tears!!!




















We rounded the corner to the house and what a surprise it was to see a cute little stork in the yard!

Soon after our arrival at the house the rest of the O'Connor family and California Grandma Sue arrived to meet Emma.

At first the girls were just a little cautious... but then warmed right up to her and they each wanted their turn holding her! By the end of the night they had each had their turns!


Grandma Sue got to be the first to feed her.

The bassinet she is in is actually from Sue's family. It was built in 1922 and has a long list of family members that have had children or grandchildren that have stayed in it. Sue really wanted Emma to have her turn sleeping in the family bassinet. We love being part of the Ballotti family!

Back in Chicago

We left Chicago on January 1st to be with Meagan for the upcoming doctors visits and so we were sure to make it for the delivery. Little did we know that Miss Emma was going to hang out as long as she did! lol.... but it did give us additional time to get to know Meagan and her daughter Hayden!

Once we left Michigan we headed back to Chicago for a night to repack all of our luggage, collect all of the wonderful Christmas gifts from family, and spend some time with Gaga and Granddad!


Who knew she liked to sleep on her side! She stayed that way for almost 2 hours! It was amazing!!!

A Party in Michigan.... First introductions

Some of the "Michigan Gals" get to meet Emma for the first time... Melissa, Amy, and Carmen were so wonderful while we were in Michigan offering to bring us anything we needed and offering to come and visit while we were waiting for Emma to arrive. They actually live really close to the hospital where she was born. Isn't it funny that with this huge country of ours the birth mom was in Michigan where a large majority of the couples we met in Japan live!!!! Amazing and a huge blessing!

Here is the whole group... minus Julie that came just after the photo! Amy with daughter Sidney, Carmen with Emma, Me, Melissa with Carmen's Jackson sitting, Melissa's sons Griffin Brenton standing.

Melissa, Amy, and Carmen put together a baby shower... unfortunately due to our timing issues it ended up being a last minute event but they made it as special as one could ask for!

Here are the girls individually with me and Emma...

Melissa Amy Julie


Carmen
Melissa took our first official family photo!!!


The girls gave Emma such wonderful presents and I am sure you will see photos of all of it as the month goes along.... she has already worn many of the wonderful outfits (yes, I am a little behind on posting) so keep coming back and I will pay tribute to the givers as I post along .....