Rethinking

So I know when I re-named blog I kind of encouraged the nickname, but I thought it would go away and then I'd fondly remember the early months of Evie's life and laugh at how much she loved that darn pork chop.  But after this breakfast conversation, I'm reconsidering.

Fiona:  Momma, you're Daddy's girl.
Me:  Yep.  I'm his wife.  And Daddy is my?
F: I don't know.
M: Husband.  And you are his?
F: Girl.
M: You are his daughter.  And Evie is also his?
F: Pork chop!

So maybe I'll try a new name.  But given how long "New Title in Progress" lasted, I wouldn't hold my breath.  However, I am open to suggestions.

Happy Easter!

We had a lovely Easter this year!  Of course the Easter Bunny came, hiding jelly beans and baskets for the girls, followed by a botched delicious brunch, a hectic reflective mass (where the kids were at least charming enough to score us a promising babysitter!), long naps and a dinner feast hosted by Joe and Becca.

Seeing what the Easter Bunny has to say.

Hunting for jelly beans

Thinking this is awesome--before she even tried one.

Sharing the loot.

Baskets--FOUND!

Hanging out with cousins.

And sisters.

And more cousins.

Preparations.

Fiona behind the lens.

Again.

Milestones and such

Since it's rare that I get on here anymore, I thought I should do Evie the favor of actually saying something about her rather than just dumping on pictures.  Especially because she has turned into such a little person.

So just a little information:

The first thing Evie says when she wakes up, if she's not crying because I overestimated her happy time and needed just five more minutes (multiple times) is Fifi.  It sounds more like, "Fffff fffff" Super cute.  The first time she said Fifi was on her first birthday.  :)  Yay me!  I can baby-book that one!  (Or could if I had one for Evie...)

Three weeks past her first birthday, and this girl won't stand up for the life of her...let alone walk.  I've tricked her into doing in a few times, but as soon as she realizes it, she gently sits herself down...unless she's really mad in which case she'll violently plop down, throw her head to the floor and wail as though I've just told her she's never going to see her sister again.

She's finally super interested in books!  It's so funny how completely opposite my two girls are.  I think books were Fiona's first love.  Evie, however, was much more interested in stacking, emptying and filling, and other physical playing.  Don't get me wrong, she still is--a quick look through our kitchen drawers will tell you that--but now everytime she sees a board book, she'll say, "bbbo.  bbbo," and want to stop whatever she's doing and read it.  Over and over and over and over.

Which brings me to her speech.  She's communicated really well with signing a stuff since she was pretty young, but now it's so fun to hear her little voice!  She'll try to imitate almost anything (sneezing, coughing,  sounds, etc.) and says Momma, Dada, Fifi, ball and book regularly. 

And Dada.  Evie's been a Momma's girl since the day she was born.  But Jon was gone over the weekend and I've never heard her say Dada so much.  She really missed him!!!  How stinking cute is that?!  She'd even ask for him when she woke up in the middle of the night.  (Although in all honesty, it was week two of a sick house, and I'm sure I wanted him there more...) 

Also, there is nothing that warms my heart more than hearing Fiona be sweet with Evie.  As I write this she's reading her the same book over and over because Evie keeps asking for more.  And earlier, when Fiona ran out of the room and Evie started saying, "Fff fff.  Fff fff." Fiona yells from the other room, "Don't worry, Evie!  I'm coming right back!"  Melt. 

Evie Turned 1!

No, we didn't forget.  I'm just the lamest blogger ever.

What was supposed to be a small family gathering turned into a giant party!  It was lots of fun...and the first party in the new house to boot!  Her godfather, Luke was even able to join us!

Fiona was excited to "help" with the candle.

In case there was any doubt--Evie loves cake.

 

 

 

 

 
Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!!  We love you SO much!

Christmas Time: Dallas Part 1

Sarah, Jim and James, and Grandma all made it to Dallas for Christmas this year.  With Bess and Jacob and Mara here, were were only short a few Deacon side families--who were terribly missed!  Fiona and Evie weren't feeling great that week, but we made the best of it and had a great time nonetheless.

Cousins got to play together,

Fiona got to help Grandma roll out sugar cookies,

we made gingerbread houses,

and, of course decorated the aforementioned cookies,

opened presents and played some more,

and sort of got a family picture.

Mara takes the cake for best present ever.

Fiona's been obsessed with Beauty and the Beast since seeing it fort he first time in early December.  It was her first musical, and boy was/is she heaven.  I love that after seeing it, she didn't ever pretend to be Belle.  She'd run around the house making her "beast face" and showing her "beast claws".  Mara's costume just made it all that much better.

Thanks for coming, guys!  We had such a great time, and can't wait until we all get together again--with hopefully everyone!

Simple Sweetness

How is delicious little chunk my baby?  When did she get so darn big, and how can we possibly be celebrating her birthday so soon?  

*sigh*

Christmas Time: Scituate

Soo...it wouldn't have felt like Christmas without a trip up north.  So to start the season off right, we made it to Scituate in early December.  Unfortunately, it didn't snow this year while we were there (or maybe fortunately given last years fiascos) so we don't have fun pictures of snowmen, sledding and hot coco. In fact, I think that week it was warmer there than in Dallas. 

That didn't stop us from having a wonderful time, though!  As much as I love Scituate in the summer, there is something magical about New England in the winter--even without the snow.  Maybe it's the lights.  Or the evergreens.  Or the giant leafless trees.  Whatever it is, it is wonderful as well.  And maybe you can't go enjoy playing in swimsuits on the beach or rinsing off in the frigid Atlantic after baking in the warm sun, but laying around by the fire with family and friends (we got to see the newly engaged Bowker and Miss Julie!), enjoying good food and drink, lazily watching movies and snuggling into bed early to feel refreshed when the little ones wake you up at the crack of dawn is still quite an enjoyable way to spend a long weekend in my opinion.  As always, thanks to Nanny and Papa for the fine hospitality.  Can't wait to get there again for wedding festivities in April!