Bem Casados

Last month, we were overjoyed to learn that the Horn family tree is sprouting a new branch.  Nick's younger brother, Ben, proposed to his lady love, Eliana, during a sunset hike (on the same route they took for their first date.)  Eliana is originally from Brazil, but has been here in the states going to school and working for the past couple of years.  She and Ben's paths happened to cross while they were out on the town two summers ago, and since then, they have been inseparable.  They've even crossed the finish lines of both a half and full marathon together, hand-in-hand.  We couldn't be more excited to witness all the great things that God has in store for the two of them as a married couple, and, someday, as a family.

They will be wed in the end of December in Eliana's hometown in Brazil!  In honor of the impending festivities, Emmy and I have had fun learning about Brazilian wedding customs (I have a borderline obsession with weddings.)  One of the many lovely traditions we came upon was that of the "bem casados" cookie favors.  The english translation of the confection name is "happily married;" which is something that we are certain will be the case for the future Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Eliana Horn!

The happy couple (and Emmy!)  I'm still sorry about cutting off the top of your head, Ben...  

Emmy using the cookie cutter to shape our cookies!

Dulce de leche sandwiched between two cookies with a sugar syrup on top.

Nick's study buddies

We are still very much on the fence as to whether or not we will be staying in the military for the long haul or if we are getting out when our commitment is up next summer.  Nick has decided that if we opt for civilian life, he'd like to go to business school.  In preparation, he has been studying in most of his off time for the GMAT that he will be taking in the end of October.  He's turned the guest room into his "office."  Because of the long hours he spends in there with the door closed, it has become one of Emmy's most coveted play spaces.  She weaseled her way in last weekend, as did her furry sisters.  I don't think Nick minded the distraction from his problem set...

Dada, the object of everyone's affection.

Emmy decided to color while Nick solved math problems.

Dog pile!

19 month debauchery

Made with love and dedicated to Dada on his 31st birthday! 

Just Three Words...

NOT YET, MAMA!!

I had my 16 week doctor's appointment on Tuesday!  They'd barely gotten me to the exam room before I started rambling on to Dr. Anderson and his nurse, Emily (whom I lovingly refer to as Emmy's namesake), just how curious we are as to the sex of our second baby.  It's kind of a loaded question these days to ask us how we are doing.  That's when Dr. Anderson actually ASKED me if I wanted him to do an impromptu ultrasound!  I routinely have to wait 45+ minutes for my appointments, making me keenly aware of their jam-packed schedule, which made this offer such an incredible gift.  I nearly dissolved into gratitude tears! I didn't hesitate when he asked me if Nick would be ok with not being present.  I assured Dr. Anderson that Nick would just be hugely appreciative just to know the sex of our baby, and would be just as grateful to see a picture souvenir.  

So, Dr. Anderson got to work.  I'm not sure why I felt inclined to hold my breath during the procedure.  Perhaps because I somehow believed that the the rise and fall of my belly could affect the wand positioning, and therefore clarity of the images, and hinder our ability to visualize Baby's nether regions.  Well, obviously my logic was off.  After 10 solid minutes of looking,  I was mildly blue in the face and it was clear that Baby Horn was in no way interested in quenching our curiosity.  Our big ultrasound is scheduled for 10am on Wednesday, August 23rd...Which feels like eternity!!

Additional pictures of the littlest Horn:

Taunting me with a wave.

Hi Baby!

Boot shot

Scripps College Gear!

Emmy feels so lucky to be loved by a Scrippsie...Thank you Aunt Kerry, it finally fits!! 

(We love you, too!!!)

19 months!

The Stats: (after a very belated 18 month well baby check-up)
Height: 33.5 inches, 87th percentile
Weight: 26.6 pounds, 73rd percentile
Head Circumference: 48 centimeters, 83rd percentile


Emmy's words:
Emmy
doggie (she's impressively fine-tuned her bark to match those of two great danes that live in the yard behind ours.)
miiiiaa (as in a high-pitched meow for kitty cat)
Elmo
Abby (as in Abby Cadabby)
off (pronounced "awe"-and then blowing as if extinguishing a candle)
on
Please (only with a great deal of prodding)
Thank You
cup
shoes
"all done" (pronounced "all-doe")
"here you go" (pronounced "ear-go")
more
cookie
Andy
happy
"ready, set, go" (more like GO! and then she starts running)
Mama
Dada
cheese
turkey
light
fly
fan
phone (pronounced "phoe")
uh-oh (still a staple)
car
book
bath (pronounced b-a)
water (pronounced wa-wa)
eye
ear
nose
hair
brush
walk
ice
hot
MINE! (Ugggghhhhh!!!!!)
When we repeat back the word she wants us to hear, she always nods vigorously with big eyes, it's as if she's saying "bingo! You got it!"  It's very sweet. :)

Emmy's favorite past times:
dancing (particularly to the honky-tonk music clips on her Leap Frog refrigerator barn and animal magnet toy)
listening to music (she loves doing the motions to "if you're happy and you know it," "the itsy bitsy spider," and "head, shoulder, knees and toes.")
playing chase
reading stories (Or flipping through the pages. Favorite stories are "Each Peach Pear Plum" and "Roar of a Snore")
typing on the computer
"talking" on the phone (unless someone is on the other line.)
cooking with Mama (especially stirring)
taking Molly and Darla for walks
leading her mother on wild goose chases

Favorite foods:
hummus
cucumber
carrots
applesauce with cinnamon sugar
cheerios
blackberries
raspberries
cheese
turkey
spaghetti and meatballs
homemade italian wedding soup

Raiding Mommy & Daddy's closet.

Forgetting her table manners.

Obsessed with my Uggs.

Watching T.V. in her birthday suit.

Impromptu swim session in the backyard after church.

Emmy stole the bag of Cheerios and took off running with them under her arm as if it was a football...It was hilarious.

I thought she deserved a Cheerio snack after all the effort she put into retrieving them.

Her fourth helping of Italian Wedding Soup.

Just One Word...

We are beyond thrilled to announce that we are expecting Baby Horn #2 on or around January 16th, 2012!  

14 weeks today!!! :)