After Emmie got her halo off, we still had to wait about a month before we could even discuss her wearing a cervical collar to take a bath. The sumi brace she wore immediately after the halo could not get wet. When we brought up a cervical collar for a bath, her neurosurgeon agreed that we could do that. Let me tell you, we didn’t wast a second and at the first avaiable moment, we put Emmie in the tub.
Except, she was very apprehensive and a little unsteady because there was nothing around her tummy. So, we improvised.
And Mom got in with her.
And she was happy.
This was her first bath in nine months. The morning before her bath, we were talking to a neighbor who’s daughter had a minor procedure and could not get a bath for a week. She stated she was thrileld to be able to give her a bath that evening. She realized I totally understood when I told her Emmie would get her first bath in nine months! Perspective.
These wrinkly feetsies are our evidence that Emmie not only got a first bath but that she totally enjoyed it! It’s great to see that she loves the water even more than she did last summer!
When Emmie first came home without the halo, she was unsteady on her feet. But she fit in to a smaller stroller! She still helped do the dishes though!
The pantry is a great place to hide from mom and dad (and open a bag of chips nearby for a quiet snack.).
We got a new tricycle for Emmie that has sides on it. More for our peace of mind than hers.
Just taking a picture with The Godfather of Funk. Our city has undertaken a great art project. Local artists were commissioned to paint the light boxes all over the city. When we visited downtown in March, the kids had to get a picture with the James Brown box.
Our annual PJ Day at Bruster’s Ice Cream. If ya’ll have one near you, every March, they offer free ice cream if you come in your pjs! It’s totally worth the embarrassment.
Emmie received this crocheted bunny rabbit as a gift from a neighbor. This bunny has been through a CT scan, surgery and many other things faithfully. Emmie named him Hop Hop and loves to take him on adventures. The other day, she had Hop Hop holding hands with Baby so they could take a nap. I really need to see if I commission our neighbor to make an identical one so that Hop Hop can get a bath in the washing machine without causing major trauma to Emmie.
This breaks my heart even now. Emmie fell out of chair in March. It scared me deeply and meant an extra trip to the neurosurgeon and extra x-rays. About twenty minutes after the fall, she was doing this. She had gotten up, walked over to the cat toy and sat down to play with Winter.
Ceili Rain was proud of her wedgit tower!
Emmie. And chocolate. Enough said.
What happens when you brace yourself on wooden poles while moving a heavy object upstairs. Ya’ll take a guess who did this.
Teenagers and their teenage friends.
Date day. Made possible by great friends who willingly take on all eight of your children.
Schoolwork.
This was the first time Emmie has actually sat down to play with someone other than her family. It was so fun watching her play with Miss T and interacting with her. 
Cuisinaire Rod Art by Josiah
Yes, you have my precious.
Toothpaste Man.
Um, Odd Man Out?!
Thoughtful CeiRai
Queen Armadillo (I know that’s not her name but take quite delight in messing it up so the kids can correct me)
Rocking it with smiles the day affter surgery. She has two bows in her hair because that’s what she asked for.
Naptime on mommy. She was still feeling the effects of the meds the day after surgery.
So, we welcomed a little 10 week old kitten and he quickly became Smudge (he has a smudge of white on his forehead and smudge of black on his chin).
Smudge is very playful and he loves attacking big sister, Winter until she tells him it’s enough. And feet are never safe if they get near a dresser or couch or are covered with blankets.
Football…
with dad… 
is awesome!
Mark had jury duty a week before Emmie got the halo off. He had called and explained our situation to the court person and she assured him that nothing big was coming up and he needed to come on in. He had to go in on Tuesday, got called back and then promptly sent home. He was home by 11 and we got bonus time with dad. The kids introduced him to our picnics on the front lawn. We have been doing these even before we moved in to this house. 
Emmie decided she needed to take daddy on a walk and show him the place.
The girls pick out the fabric for their spring dresses. I wanted a coral and blue but they wanted blue, green and yellow. Blue and green for NF colors. Yellow and blue for Y the Brave’s home country. Then, the girls get to pick out the pattern they either want to try (for Zoe) or that I get to tackle. I’ve used the pattern for Ceili Rain’s dress before and I completely forgot about how much fabric it took. It was a lot ya’ll! Zoe’s skirt was from 
Look at those boys! I can’t wait to see six silly boys in that picture.
Emmie was napping on the first go round. So, we had to wait until later in the afternoon to include her (then it started raining). I made two dresses for her so that she could match her sisters before the halo and after the halo.
Emmie says, “This IS my silly face!”
This was a birthday of awesome faces too. Ya’ll, he’s just too cute for words.
Okay, one picture of our special Frodo the Cat. He got sick after we returned and unfortunately, passed away. It was a very tough time for us.
Park play day. After a series of cold day, well, sort of cold, it’s the South after all, we like to venture out to the park. Warm February days are the best too because the pollen hasn’t arrived.
First time giving blood. It just took our Super Ems to motivate me. We were able to bank my blood and Grandmere’s for Emmie’s surgery. She did need some. So, we were both grateful we could give (and through a big miracle for Grandmere) to help her and I learned that it’s not as scary as I thought. 
Any Trim Healthy Mama will know this yogurt. And will also know the sadness in having it consumed by a cute toddler. She likes it so much, I have to sneak it before she can see me or she’ll eat the whole cup.
Frodo loved to nap with Emmie. He tried several times to cuddle next to her but she would squeal and get excited and he’d settle for sleeping near by.
What’s better than one bow? Two!
Liam is learning sme better distraction techniques so he can finish school.
See the yogurt face. 
Sour cream doughnut hearts for Valentine’s day! Oh yeah.
Climbing stairs (with lots of help) after being discharged. She had to have help and rest half way but she was thrilled to walk up.
She tested it out to make sure it would work.
And helped pick out a couple of outfits.
Meet Super Bear. She has been through surgery and will head in next week with us for the CT scan.
