Getting her game on.

The day before the holiday break, we have our annual student-faculty basketball extravaganza here at school. Kate was nice enough to bring Emily down to watch Daddy buffoon to the indifference of hundreds of 7th and 8th graders. She seemed interested for at least six or seven minutes before deciding instead to dismantle every piece of equipment in my office. I can't blame her. This game is rarely pretty.
Nevertheless, the sweat poured, nobody suffered any catastrophic injuries and maybe, just maybe, a little fun was had. Most importantly (in my humble opinion,) Ems got a little gym time. Hopefully this will be a place she enjoys...cuz if she wants to see Daddy, she's going to spend a lot of time here.

Working on her defensive stance.
Hey...what's in there??

Waiting to sub in!

Daddy trying to show off...or pretend like he's still got it.

Number 42 there? Clearly not impressed.

Finally back at it.

I fall a little more in love each day.

(How was that for starting with a bang? Did I grab your attention? Did you forget I've been absent for a month? Good...good.)

So, I've been out of commission since my last post with school and basketball season occupying the majority of my time. On weekdays, I'm out the door just before 6:30 AM and am rarely back before 8 PM. Kate likes to joke that she's a single mom. Which makes me the deadbeat dad. Uh-huh.

Alas, it's the nature of the beast. Basketball season is a grind and for a few months, everyone gets a little shortchanged. We just try our best to make the most of the time we have.

But I wasn't kidding about that first line. This kid is my favorite. Every time I see her, there's something new...a new skill, a new word, a new expression, that leaves us all in stitches.

There's her love of music. She starts dancing the second she hears the first few notes of any song. And she's almost on beat. I've seen adults with far worse rhythm. FAR worse.

There's her constant imitations. Whatever you do, she's picking up on it. Wash your hands in front of her and watch her rub her own hands together. If your team scores, she pumps her fist and says, "YES!" because that's what YOU did. This is, of course, the time to admit how we've had to start checking our language a bit. A bad day at work or a bad practice and it can get a little truckstop-ish around here. Not good times. Bad times.

And, most importantly, there's the walking. That video that some of you have seen more times than you planned because you kept checking back for the update that just wouldn't come...you know that one? (scroll down if you're not following) Yeah, that thing's ancient history. You've gotta SEE this kid motor around the house. It's like she was born with that big shoe on. She'll take a little tumble, (sometimes) dust herself off and get right back up. She's got places to go! Out of the way!!

Oh, and it's beautiful to watch. She's strong and confident and ever so excited. She gets a huge smile on her face as she comes at you. I don't think she could be more proud of herself. She certainly has every right to be.

And with this being the holiday season, that means more people to show off for. Aunts, uncles and cousins all got a great show. If the lights are on, the star must perform.

While I feel like I had many more stories to tell, for whatever reason I'm coming up empty right now. I'll no doubt remember them the instant I click on "PUBLISH POST" at which point I'll log back in and regale you with continued tales of mirth and joy. Unless I get struck by another senior moment. Then you'll just have to look at the pictures and shake your head at how amazingly well Emily is doing despite her half-wit father.

Ooh-ing at her many Christmas presents. SO cute.

Emily working the jedi mind trick on cousin Allison.

Give. Me. The. Bottle.

Emily absolutely ADORES her cousin Caroline.

All dressed up for tea!

I know what I'm thankful for.

WALKING! - updated.

Emily has been standing on her own for a few weeks now. And she gets SO excited when she does (as the pictures clearly illustrate.) This made me believe the big day was imminent.

Going into Halloween weekend, many asked what our plans were. I told anyone who would listen, "Ems is going to walk this weekend. I can feel it. She is so close."

Ok. So I was a little ahead of myself. But not by much.

Coming home from school today, Kate called to tell me Emily walked three steps with her supershoe on. Excitement was in the air. I may have leaned on the gas a little more than usual on my way home...hey, I had to come home and see it for myself. Of course, I had to wait until she was done with a short nap. And a snack. But then...success! Just moments ago, she just took a couple tentative steps toward me. And what do I do? Run to the computer. I may need to prioritize a bit.

Nevertheless, the mood is high here at Camp Sweatpants. Thanks, Emily. You've done it again.



UPDATE - I have been thinking about this all afternoon and I can't believe she did this with her supershoe on. Those of you who have seen this thing up close know it's big, cumbersome and difficult to handle. I was convinced she would walk soon, but thought it would be either barefoot or with regular sneakers on (the flat soles help with balance.) Nope. Not her. She takes those first gentle steps with that monstrous, Herman Munster shoe. I am continually amazed by this kid.

Tiggers LOVE candy.

Why go out trick-or-treating when I have my own bowl right here?

Unprecedented!

Another first for The Gray Area! Four posts in a single day. Looks like everyone's gunning for a promotion.

I absolutely love this last picture. Aside from all the colors and cuteness, it's like she's training for a future strongman competition or something. Look at the form on this one-handed pumpkin power clean!

Well, I'm exhausted. A record-breaking four posts in one day. It's Miller time.

Camp Conquest.

Columbus Day weekend means more than just an extra day off around here. It is also the annual Conquest family camping trip to Vermont. This excursion is different from anything the Tredwells grew up with as it involves pop-up campers, wilderness, peace, quiet (Tredwells are loud folks) and so forth. Of course, Daddy is also about seven inches taller than your average pop-up camper ceiling, so this year's trip meant Team Tredwell bunked off site in a nice hotel, making everybody just a little happier. And by everyone, I mean me.

Nevertheless, the air was crisp, country stores were visited, pumpkins were picked, pictures were taken and swell times were had by all. I do love this time of year.

Grammy AND her own pumpkin. Good times.

The windswept look is SO in this year.

There's a joke here somewhere...I just can't think of it.

Look at the EYES on this kid!

I just love this series.

Autumn in New England.

I think our Director of Photography is bucking for a raise. Well deserved, in my opinion.

Life goes on.

Greetings, loyal readers. To those of you who stuck around during my inexcusable 30-something day hiatus, I'm glad you're still here. To those who stopped checking in...well, they're not reading anymore. The hell with 'em!

I will admit, I took a little too long to get back at this. I suppose I rested on the laurels of the unprecedented triple-post day a tad too long. But I'm back, recharged and ready to go. Shall we?

To start with, our girl turned 14-months old today. And while that is hardly a noteworthy birthday, it's always fun to think back to where we were a year ago. Ahh, to be young and uninformed again. On second thought, let's just skip that.

Nevertheless, Ems continues to assert her independence. She's now perfectly comfortable expressing her displeasure when she doesn't get her way. She recognizes when we don't want her to do something...and does it anyway. And she's learned that food solves all problems. Between Emily and I, Mommy doesn't have a prayer of ever finishing a meal again.

This week alone has featured a number of noteworthy events. To start with, Daddy got a new gig. After completing both interviews and getting some positive feedback, Kate asked, "if you get this job, can we dress Emily like a tiger for your games?" Abso-freakin-lutely! So, for the girls basketball team at Daniel Hand High School, meet your new mascot...

Unfortunately, not all the news was good around our camp this week. Both Kate and I lost friends this week...one to cancer and the other to inoperable brain tumors. No one enjoys a funeral, but two in one week can weigh you down. Not that you need a reason to do this, but be sure to tell somebody they're important to you and give them a hug. We all need one. And if you're alone on a library computer or in some kind of internet cafe, well, just keep your damn hands to yourself. Weirdo.

The kid literally made some big strides this week. We finally touched base with the prosthetist and made the necessary adjustments to her shoe lift. Following Dr. Paley's orders, we bumped her up from a 3 cm lift to a 7 cm lift. I don't know another way to say it...this thing is huge. Like, skyscraper big. But, godbless her, Emily gets better on it everyday. Kate and I have made a conscious effort to give her some daily shoe time. And Ems wants to walk SO badly. She'll reach up to you with both arms and say "go, go, go!" If you're nearby, you better take her hands and go, go, go. She gets so excited to walk, she can barely contain herself. With or without her shoe, there's very little holding her back. I've said it before, I'll say it again. Tougher. Than. You.

It's autumn in New England. I promise to come with good pictures of Emily and leaves and stuff.