Bedtime?

It's an hour past your bedtime! You were sitting up in bed playing with Claire, and we were just in here watching TV. So I went in to get you, you got Claire, and the whole family is just hanging out. You're the only baby who could be so happy so far past your bedtime! 

And how darn cute are your new jammies that Yaya got you for Christmas?! 

Your First Halloweeen! (And First Trip to the ER...)

Hello Evie!

Well, the night never got any better. You never had a wet diaper, and as the night went on and we held you wrapped in a blanket, you were so pitiful and lifeless. Our hearts were breaking, your dad even almost started crying when he got home from church and heard you gagging and heaving! We tried to put you in your jammies and down for the night, but you threw up all of the pedialyte we had given you, so I called the nurse and said "tell them we're coming in!" 

                          

So about 11:30 last Wednesday night we rolled up into the ER at Children's Hospital. Of course you ended up having a wet diaper, but you still threw up all over me in the waiting room, so I'm glad we went in. Eventually the doctor came in and suggested you get some fluids via IV. One of the hardest thing I've had to do as a parent has been to hold my 8 month old baby while someone puts a needle in her hand. It was right up there with when I went to see you in the NICU and you were hooked up to all of those machines. Followed pretty closely by them telling me that I can only give you 1 ounce of formula when you hadn't eaten in 14 hours. After the fluids, you perked up a lot, and after smelling the sandwiches that Dad and I were eating, you starting screaming and crying, you obviously were starving. When we gave you that one ounce, you turned that bottle up like it was the last thing you'd ever be allowed to eat. When you had finished that ounce, it was just pitiful. I was crying, you were crying, Dad was cranky, it was 2:30 Halloween morning after all.

Anyway, finally we got to go home! At 3am!

Evie, your dad wanted me to tell you how much we love Halloween and how crappy you made it for us. Those were his exact words. But then followed up with "you have a cute little button nose and fluffy li'l cheeks and he loves you and me more than anything in the world." Whatever, Dad.

So we all slept late on Halloween. Dad ended up taking off the whole day. By time we were all up for the day, you were back to that sweet baby self. You and Dad went to get some groceries for the party that night, and he sent me this picture. So sweet.

Anyway, we ended up going over to Aunt Ruth and Uncle David for "our" Halloween party. Besides bringing chili we really didn't do a lot this year, which every year until this one, it was the Nichols Halloween party. Maybe next year!

So I dressed you up as your twin (your dad). It was pretty funny. And kind of weird. When I spiked up your hair and put on that shirt, all I could think was "huh, so that's what it'd look like if I had a little boy..."

So, fun night. We were tired, but it was just really special to get to have our first Halloween as a family of 3! Unfortunately, uuuuuggggghhhhh, your dad and I woke up violently ill early the next morning, and we had to send you off to Nan and Grandaddy's because we were way, waaaaaay to sick to take care of you. Even more hilariously, I ran the Warrior Dash on Saturday afternoon. A 5k with 12 muddy obstacles with nothing in my stomach except for yellow Gatorade and some animal crackers. Your mommy is a smart one. But it was worth it to get this picture of you with my helmet on:

I love you sweetie pie. I'm so sad to see you sick, it was terrible, but there is no one else I'd rather catch a debilitating stomach bug from you than you!!

xox-mommy 

9:10, 11/12/13

Hello Evie!

So I walked into the living room just now, and you were standing in your pack-n-play, fixated on the tv. There was a wedding going on on the Today show. My first thought was "she's such a girly girl! Already loving weddings!" But then I realized today is November 12, 2013, and it's just after 9 in the morning. 

So since you have a silly mommy who takes pictures of like, everything...

Silly. 

Love you! 

xox-mommy 

Stomach Virus

Hello Evie,

My sweet baby girl! You are are laying in my arms right now, and your tiny body is fighting off one nasty stomach bug. It's been eating its way through Helena and it took a bite out of you! 

Daddy is at church, it's the night before your first Halloween and we have been so looking forward to the big youth group party! I was going to dress you up as your daddy, it was a top-secret costume. I couldn't wait to show you off and make everyone laugh! 

But instead, we're here:

You threw up your entire bottle this afternoon while at Yaya's house. Lots of gagging and dry-heaving since, and I can't keep anything in you. If you don't have a wet diaper by 11:00 tonight, we'll have to take you up to the ER and get you re-hydrated. 

This is one of the hardest things I've had to go through as your mommy. I can tell you feel so awful, and you're so pitiful in my arms. Selfishly, I love the snuggles, but I'll gladly trade them in for your usual happy self! And I don't totally love being covered in your stomach bile puke...or smelling it in your hair ;) 

I'll stay awake all night with you and do whatever I have to do till you are better. Your grandparents are so worried about you! Papa John went to get you Pedialyte  while Yaya held you while you slept...

And Nan and Grandaddy have already offered to come over and sit with us while we wait for daddy to come home. 

And your Aunt Ruth is so sweet, she said you can trick or treat at her house after you feel better! 

You're snoozing away, I'm waiting for Daddy to get home so I can maybe go change my shirt:) 

Love you my sweet, perfect little girl. 

xox-mommy 

365 Days of Having a Little Girl

Hello Evie!

Well, technically it's been 366 days, but just wanted to do a quick post before heading into the kitchen to make a few batches of fruit and veggies purees. A year ago yesterday, we found out that a LITTLE GIRL was on her way! I just knew you were going to be a boy, so it was a bit of a surprise to bite into that cupcake and see pink frosting!

It was such a fun day yesterday (and a year ago yesterday!), here are some "then and nows" for you!

We had the BEST ultrasound on October 15 of last year. It was amazing to see how much you had grown. I was 18 weeks along, and we hadn't seen you since 9 weeks! Imagine what it was like for us to be in that little room and see this flash up on the screen!!

The best--and pinkest!--year of our lives, little GIRL!!

xox-mommy 

(PS: Nan and even Dreamcakes Bakery shared a couple of the photos yesterday on their own Facebook walls!)

    

One year ago...

One year ago right now I was too excited to sleep. October 15 was the day we had our gender ultrasound to find out if you would be a girl or boy! I was convinced you were a boy, but between you, me, and God, I was praying for a little girl. ;) 

This was the last night of the rest of my life, because the next day, I'd find out that a precious little baby girl was on her way, and her name would be Evalyn June. 

Every night since this has been a little pinker, cuter, and happier. 

xox-mommy 

Snuggle Bunny

These are moments when I literally beg God to stop time. 

xox-mommy 

It's Saturday, October 12.

Just wanted to tell you how much I love you. 

Lots. 

xox-mommy 

Aaaand hello first ear infection.

Blergh. 

There is so much liquid coming out of that little pink face right now. Off to the doctor we went. Dr. Stone said 5-6 on a scale if 1 to 10. Luckily you love your pink bubblegum amoxicillin! 

You'll feel better soon. I'm sorry you don't feel good sugar butt :( 

xox-mommy 

(Supposed to be publishing yesterday, but it didn't. Stupid Blogger.) 

Crawling to Mommy

Playing on the floor of your nursery this morning, and you crawled to me. It was so sweet. I guess it's something you could have done before but we always put toys out to crawl to...or more often than not you see something that you shouldn't be getting into and crawl to it! 

Anyway, I sat up and held out my hands, and you have me a big Evie smile, came toward me, and reached out for my hand. Please always stay this sweet! Is that too much to ask? :) 

xox-mommy 

Pulling Up!

Hello Evie!

Kid, you are rocking and rolling at rapid fire pace. You smoked the crawling wedge at Gymboree this morning, then when I took you over to the ball pit, you PULLED YOURSELF UP!! I wasn't even expecting it, we've been working so hard on crawling that we haven't even gotten here yet, not to mention you JUST turned 6 months old! 

You astound me and your daddy! Way to go baby girl! 

(Here's the text conversation from when I told him! Ha!)

Love you Ev!

xox-mommy 

Photographer

You just took this photo of yourself!

Girls Day at the Mall

Hello Evie! 

It's been a busy few days, and even though I really need to do laundry, clean up the kitchen, straighten up the living room, put up dishes, etc., I thought it'd be fun instead to hang out at the mall and just have a girls day! I love pushing you in your stroller around the Galleria. When you were not even two weeks old, it was one of the first things we ever did just you and me. I was on a mad hunt for something for you to wear on St. Patrick's Day! So I guess there is something nostalgic for me about being here with you! 

Shopping at Baby Gap, needed something for your 6 month photo session! 

Your mommy being silly in the elevator...

Oh but this! Completely tuckered out in my arms. You've been asleep for a solid half hour, you didn't even finish your bottle! My chair is wobbly and the seat is hard, but I don't care. You are so sweet and I love this. 

Fun fact: the last time I puked when I was pregnant with you, I had just left the mall to pick up a sugar cookie double doozie and a cherry coke. Guess what I sat here in the food court and are? Ha! 

(After I published this post and woke you up to leave, I thought it'd be fun to stop by the photo booth. It's true, I do totally framing love you!) 

xox-mommy

Selfies.

One of the recent trending stories is that the word "selfie" just officially made its way into the dictionary.

Me and you take a lot of selfies. Here are some of my faves! 

Last week while we were having a lazy afternoon and watching old episodes of The Amazing Race.

Yesterday evening while we were playing on the bed. That smile you gave the camera! Can't get over it.

This morning at the Starbucks in Target, special occasion because it was the return of the much-loved Pumpkin Spice Latte! I didn't like coffee a whole lot while I was pregnant with you, and I remember I even tried to force these down a couple mornings last fall, just for the sake of the season, but I couldn't really get them down! I also got a free one this morning because while I was trying to take this pic, you knocked over the cup! A little bit spilled, and the nice barista gave me a whole new one for free! 

Taken Sunday afternoon after Daddy and I had been in Atlanta all weekend. We missed you so much!! 

At your first Gymboree class a couple weeks ago. You loved that maraca! 

Snuggling with me while you were sick last month.

Snoozing at Kamin's pool last month. Didn't know it yet, but this was when you started getting sick. :( 

Being a bad mom and letting you gnaw on a Popsicle when you were not even 5 months old! It was a Sweet Tea Pop from Steele City Pops, I really couldn't deny you the deliciousness, then I'd REALLY be a bad mom!

Playing on your nursery floor while you enjoyed one of your frozen fruit-sicles!

About to head out for an afternoon on the town. I think we are pretty cool duo, kid!! 

The day the future King George of England was born! I drank my coffee from my royal wedding mug while we watched the coverage on the Today Show. 

One of my favorites from earlier this summer. It's true, I love you very much!! 

Snuggling after a loooong week of freelance photo shoots! It was the same week I turned 29, and I sent you off with Nan a lot during that week so I could get some work done :( I really missed you! Felt so good to be on the other side of that assignment and spend some quality time with my favorite little lady!

We have so much fun together. I cherish all of these little moments with you so much my sweet girl!!

xox-mommy 

Zzzzzz

Hello Evie! 

This is where you just fell asleep. 

On the living room floor, while I'm just sitting here drinking my coffee. I need to finish getting both of us ready for our Gymboree class we have a couple hours from now. But dare I move? How is this even comfortable? You are so silly. 

xox-mommy