Standing and Walking with Support

Since Christmas, we have had Evie's baby stroller in the box waiting to be assembled. We decided that the timing was right since Evie can stand holding onto things, and can walk with assistance. The little stroller is so cute, and just the right size for her. She's not too sure of what to do with it just yet. She can't walk with it, but leans forward and would fall down if Judd or I didn't catch her. With daddy's help, Evie was having a good time.

A Week of Milestones!

This has been a VERY exciting week! It started with Sophia's birth, and it just kept getting better.

ARMY CRAWL
Wednesday afternoon Clare sent a text that said, "We have a breakthrough! Evie just crawled!" Clare rushed to get the video camera, but she couldn't get the shot in time! That night Evie crawled for Judd and I. She is not full blown crawling, but does more of an army crawl where she uses her arms to pull herself forward and pushes with her feet all the time keeping her stomach on the ground. We have learned that Wilson and his toys' are Evie's main motivation for crawling. She keeps getting better and faster everyday!

PULL UP
Friday Judd stayed home and watched Evie so Clare could spend the day loving on Sophia. Judd sent me a text explaining that when he went upstairs to get Evie from her nap, he was greeted by Evie sitting up in her crib looking over the top rail! She hasn't done this for me yet, but after everynap Evie now crawls over to the bumper, pulls it down, and looks through the slats.

BATH IN THE BIG TUB
Evie has been taking baths in the baby tub, until this week when she nearly climbed right out of it. The following day, I bought a bath mat to put in the bottom of the tub so Evie wouldn't slide around. She loves the big bath tub now. She splashes and even lays on her stomach playing with bath toys.

Sweet Sophia

On Monday April 18th Clare sent me an exciting text message when I was at work. She said that her daughter-in-law's water broke, and they were on the way to the hospital! A part time teacher and good friend of mine, went to Clare's house to watch Evie for the rest of the day. Clare went to the hospital and was there in time for the birth. Sophia was a tiny 5 pounds 13 ounces! She looked like a doll next to Evie, and Evie looked like a giant toddler. "Sophie" was so calm and peaceful. She and Evie will have a lot of fun growing up together, since Clare will watch both girls next year.

Pretty Little Lady

Evie did not have a chance to wear her Easter dress on Easter Sunday, so she wore it to church this past Sunday. So sweet.

New Carseat

For the past month or two I have been complaining how awkward the infant carrier carseat has become. Evie was pretty heavy and tall for it. When Evie and I were at a baby shower last weekend, Judd went to Babies R Us, and bought a new carseat that will last several years. I was so excited for Evie to ride in the new seat, Judd installed it when it was dark outside! For now, Evie still has to sit in it rearfacing, but very soon we can turn it around. I am estimating that Evie weighs 18 pounds. She has 2 more pounds and 4 months to go to sit facing forward.

8 months old

 3 months old

A Visit to the Park

spring + bluebonnets + warm weather = perfect day for the park

Judd and I took Evie to Coppell's Andy Brown Park last evening with the primary goal to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Since the bluebonnet is Texas' state flower it is a big deal in Texas to see these flowers every spring. They sprout up in parks, on the side of highways, and open fields. I couldn't wait to get Evie's first picture with the flowers. After we were finished visitng the Bluebonnets, we took Evie to the playground where she went down a slide for the first time. I think I was more excited than she was! We also pushed Evie in the baby swings for a little bit. She was so amazed with hovering over the ground! We all had a great time at the park!

Easter

We had a very busy day planned for Easter. In the morning we were scheduled to go to Easter Sunday services at church where Judd was going to play guitar and mandolin in both services. In the afternoon we were going to head to Gwen's house for lunch. Well....our plans took a turn for the worst when I woke up at 3:30am with a very upset stomach. I hoped Evie was going to be okay, so the plan was to take her to the church nursery so I could stay home and rest. In the middle of feeding Evie breakfast, she started throwing up. Being a strong wife and mom, I told Judd to go to church. I insisted Evie and I would be okay. Well, not even an hour later, Evie threw up on me AGAIN, and then I threw up too! At that point I called Judd, and he raced home to nurse us back to health!

With an all day outdoor fieldtrip scheduled for Monday, I was not certain I would be up to hiking through the woods and "roughing it." Luckily, one of our wonderful substitutes had the day off, so she went in my place! Evie and I are better, thanks to a lot of naps, Gatorade (for me), and Pedialyte (for Evie).

What a day! Since Evie did not get to open her Easter basket on Sunday, we let her do it Monday night when Judd got home from work.

Easter Morning

Monday night Easter basket

Friday afternoon, Clare gave Evie an Easter basket filled with candy for Judd and me, as well as bows and bunny ears for Evie.

Happy Birthday ASHER!

Today was a very exciting day, because we celebrated Asher's first birthday! His real birthday really falls on Easter this year. He had a sports party with teeball, kickball, basketball, wagon rides, and bunnies! The second I walked in the door, Asher's grandpa snatched Evie right out of my hands, and took her outside to go for a wagon ride! Later on, Asher's other Grandpa got his hands on Evie, AND took her for a wagon ride. :o) She was quite the popular little baby girl!

Evie on her first wagon ride. It was really sunny so she was squinting. I think she liked the ride.

Evie and Asher going for a ride with Grandpa Terry

Inspecting the grass.

The beginning of Evie's fascination with shoes.

Found another shoe

All tired out from a rough day