18 Months - Evelyn

Evie is almost 19 months - so I really figured I owed her a 1.5 year old post.  The thing is, Evelyn - you are such an amazing kid that you don't even really need these posts. :)

Evie is now in the 99% for height and the 85% for weight.  She's a tall kid, who really carries herself well.  I love watching her run - her step is filled with a happiness and determination for life.  She's the kid that can go from angry to laughing in two seconds flat.

Favorites of Evie right now include donuts for breakfast, blueberries, strawberries, red and yellow peppers, turkey, chicken hot dogs....and juice.  We buy the watered down kind, but from the beginning she has never been a lover of milk.  She much prefers water or juice to milk.  Crazy, I know.   She loves her blankie....and her pacifier (but only at bed and in the car).  Her love of books amazes me...literally will sit and read for hours.  Her favorites are always books with animals.   She knows the names of many animals (sometimes calls them by their sound - i.e. snorts for pig.  She also has quickly learned grandma and grandpa.  My favorite though is seeing her call for Grace.  She says "Ga-ce".   It's so much fun to see their love for each other.  Best friends forever,  I know it.

Evie is a much more stubborn child then here sister - but is also very considerate and goofy. A very fun child who really is overall super easy and fun.  She's a great sleeper (7-7 every night) with a one to two hour nap every day too. She entertains herself for the most part and just loves being around other children.  She's even started to give me a kiss goodbye to celebrate and just take off on her own - like it's no big deal.  It's great to see her confidence even at this age.   She certainly carries that same confidence to the playground - as she's been known to climb up stairs that are quite large and attack a playset with confidence.  Ironic almost, since I worried that Grace would never do any of that.

This kid amazes me.  My amount of love for her surpasses anything I could ever imagine - and really this love radiates to her sister too.  We really are so blessed.

Evie is a ONE year old...

Dear Evelyn -

This year has flown by.  It seems like just yesterday we were waiting impatiently for your arrival (again...you decided to come late) and now you are a year old.  In typical second child fashion, you have grown up so quickly.   You literally run everywhere, love to climb, and also love it when your sister takes you for rides in her Jeep.  You used to love your Cozy Coupe...but right now even that is too slow for you.  The slide is amazing to you - and you are a pretty good climber - but the BIG slide is where it's at.  You squeal in excitement when you know you are about to go down!  Don't worry...Mommy and Daddy hold your hand.

You love your sister, dogs, anything that looks like a dog, your blankie, pouches of food, sausage, chicken and fruit.  You also found a new love for marshmallows, chips, and even pick out the good stuff from Lucky Charms.  We've tried chocolate milk and regular milk...but you really prefer smoothies in your sippy cup. Everything else is thrown on the ground.  Apparently you have a bit of a sweet tooth.

For your birthday - it was a BIG deal.  We threw a banner party - and you loved every minute of it. Including the cake.  There was so much to see - you really do love action.  The best thing about you is that you can be a momma's girl - but you are also a daddy's girl, a grandma's girl, and right now, anyone that will read to you is your BFF.

You LOVE your sister. LOVE.  It's so fun to see you two play together already - you are going to be best friends.

You are such an animated child at a young age. Your laughter fills a room and I find myself hugging and kissing and just loving on you way more than I did with your sister (sorry Grace).

Evie - I could talk forever about you.  You are the first baby I have stayed home with the entire time and it's been hard letting go even a little bit for Mom's Morning Out (which you started a few weeks ago).  You do great and love it...but for me it's still lonely. I get so scared riding in a quiet car - I'm not used to it.

Know that you are SO loved little girl.

Love,
Your Mommy

And Grace is FOUR

Dear Grace -
How do I even sum up a year - let alone you?  I can't believe you are four.  FOUR.  It seems like just yesterday you and I were playing on the playground on the first day after I quit work.  I remember wondering if I had made the right decision - and now knowing that you and I have such a tight bond (more than we had when I was working...I was a mess) - I know I made the right decision.  You often tell me that we are going to be best friends - and I really hope this is true.  I'd love to be your best friend Grace.  Why - because you really are a caring, gentle, loving little girl.

I say little girl and it hurts....just because you aren't a baby anymore. I don't know how I'm going to do continue to watch you learn and grown and not still remember holding you that first time.  Remembering the special moment's we've held.  How much I love carrying you in my arms, cuddling with you during nap, and your giggling as you get ready for bed.  Seeing you with your sister...my love continues to deepen and grow.  You are an amazing sister - and for the most part are gentle and patient with your sister.  You usually share your toys - but not always...who could blame you.  You can't wait to share your bedroom with Evie (and honestly - we can't wait either).

You are not a fan of bedtime lately.  We have to watch you fall asleep - and you always end up in a sleeping bag on our floor at some point in the night.  For some reason, you are scared.  When I asked your school about it - they said that it's often kids with the biggest imagination.  And you do have a big one.

We love you very much Grace.

Evelyn - 11 months

Gah!  11 months.  Oh Evelyn.....you have had my number.  You are a momma's girl.  Take today by instance...I left for 3 hours. I came back...you had been fine the entire time.  A lot of crying ensued.....until I nursed you.  You needed your mommy.  You wanted to reconnect....though you had been having a lot of fun with daddy too.  Example #2.....I've been waking to feed you at midnight and three AM for MONTHS.  MONTHS.  Everything I read said that this isn't necessary any more.  You are a big girl...and can make it all night without nursing.

Day one of letting you cry at the 3AM feeding...it was two hours  Day two...2 minutes.  Day 3 and 4...sleeping through the night.  You've been playing me the whole time.....

You are walking! Officially walking! Can you even believe it. You are SO proud of yourself too you stinker! Right after your birthday...you decided that crawling was overrated.  You are so busy!

Taking one nap around 1PM until 3/4PM.  You still take morning naps sometimes...but not as often anymore.  You are an amazing night sleeper though - I blame it on your movement.

You also love Grace.  Love. And she is so good with you.  She often tells us how you guys are going to be best friends. And you will. However...you are so different. You love being outside.  And Grace loves crafts.  

Finally...you love these little dolls. So much that they come everywhere with us. Even when you are nursing...one is being held!

How do I stop time?

No really?  How do I?  Evie is almost eleven months...which means almost a year...which means I don't have a baby any more.  And Grace.  My goodness...at almost four years old she really does go from the sweetest kid in the world to the most demanding girl in the world.  I know with out a doubt that I'll look back and realize how lucky I have been with her.  Overall, she's kind, loving, playful and sweet.  She loves playing with other children and isn't afraid to reach out and meet new people.   Rarely do I have to walk away out of frustration - typically I know exactly what is wrong and why.

These days can get long...they really can...with Josh working so much.  Though, he's been so good at picking up from work, coming home to dinner with Grace and I and then putting Grace to bed.  He often misses Evie's nights...but is always there for her in the morning.  It's amazing watching us grow as a family.  I really am blessed.

9 and 10 months - Evelyn

Total mom fail. It's been busy. And by busy I mean...tiring.  For some reason, Evelyn....you have had a rough go. Between getting sick with what we think was sixth's disease, teething (which you are horrible at...you run temperatures and are miserable), and just overall seasonal allergies...it has been a long couple months. You are especially frustrating because you still are waking a few times at night to eat....which shouldn't be happening anymore .  You go to bed at 6:30pm and wake at 7ish am...so I shouldn't be upset...and you go right back to bed...but honestly momma is TIRED.  You also absolutely refuse to let me put a spoon in your mouth and you hate your sippy (it just is thrown on the floor immediately)....so it's been rough on this momma.  However, you are overall just such a HAPPY easy baby...that I'm not mad at you.  I can't be.

Anyway....you went to the doctor last week Monday with Grace and I. You are 93% for height, 80% for weight (a little over 20lbs) and 88% for head size.  Dr. Levy says you look great - and we agree.  You are climbing on everything, can stand on your own for a bit, transferring for thing to thing in the house.  You also can say "bye-bye" and wave, yell for the "DOg", and clap your hands. You love music and your sister....but really love your sister's PB chair.  You see it an immediately DIVE for it. 

You now have the top two teeth and three on the bottom.  Your blue eyes are amazing.  They sparkle like you wouldn't believe.  You are going to be a blondie - your hair is FINALLY coming in.

We made the trip to Wisconsin and Minnesota a few weeks ago.  The car ride was long, but you did really well. We had such a blast visiting everyone and you took an special liking to your cousin Nora.  You attack other babies - just always so curious.

The crazy thing about you, Evie, is that you are pretty go with the flow.  You love your sleep (you are napping right now at 10AM and normally will nap again around 1 or 2)...but you also can totally skip the nap..which is INSANE to me.  Transitioning so early!

We love you!

Eight Months Evelyn

Oh Evelyn - 8 months.  And every day I think I am told that you seem like an 11 month old.  I agree 100%.  You are such a content little girl....just wanting to play.  It's funny...most children are comforted by snuggles from mom, a pacifier.  But you, you are comforted by a new toy.  Some action.  Anything that may interest you. When others ask to hold you....you don't really enjoy that - but at the gym you are content because there is so much to look at and to play with. 

You are pretty.  You really are. Your eyes are the most amazing blue and when you smile, it lights up the world  Your entire face lights up. 

You don't really enjoy pureed food these days - you would rather have the real stuff.  No problem girlfriend . Real blueberries are better than the pureed ones anyway. 

You are talking a lot more these days, and have a preference for baby dolls.  And stuffed animals.  You love having songs sung to you too. 

You are certainly a MOMMA's girl.  And while I enjoy this....it can be hard when your daddy wants to play with you too.  You love him too...but I have to leave for you to really be happy and not constantly looking for me.

You sleep well....13 hours at night with one feeding and 2 - 1 hour naps during the day. However, you are pretty flexible (I think because you love action) and will adjust as needed.  But, those naps must be in your crib.

Just the last week you've been in a storming phase...and needed more nursing to keep you happy. I don't mind, since you still go right back to bed afterwards.

I think the craziest thing about you is how active you are.  Just this last week (so 8 months and a week) you decided to crawl upstairs at the Barton's house.  Your daddy and I were both there to watch it..  All day long you pull yourself up on things. It's like you are always looking for something to stand up on!   Move move move. 

We love you little girl!