Songs by Evelyn

Silent Night

'...sleep in Evelyn peace...'

Away in a Manger

'...no crib for him bed..'

Alphabet Song

'....H I J K Emily P Qoos R S... X Y P!'

It's Not Easy from 'Pete's Dragon'

'...it's not easy, find Circus Bears...'
(Real line: it's not easy, to find someone who cares...')

Tomorrow from 'Annie'

'...betcha hunned dollahs tomorrow!'

Our little diva...

'Helping' Daddy.

E loves beer bottles. She gets excited every time she sees one. She enjoys sitting on Daddy's lap and 'helping' him drink.

Last night Daddy blew over the lip of the bottle to make a sound and then offered E the (empty) bottle. She put her mouth over the lid and sang the same note Daddy had just made. We're pretty impressed with her musical ear. :)

If Evelyn ruled the world:

I'm comin' to getcha...

1. Clothes would not be worn. All naked baby. All the time.
2. Bath time would happen two or three times a day, accompanied by 'Bath Time' by Sandra Boynton
3. Momma and Daddy would let her play with the brick hearth. And the phones. And computers. And the computer cords. And those little fuzzles at the edge of the carpet.
4. All surfaces would be mirrored. That little girl she sees sure is cute.
5. None of the car seat business. She's not one to be strapped down.
6. She's have her very own clutch to chew on when we're shopping. And she wouldn't have to give it Momma when it's time to pay the cashier.
7. Food would be for making messes. And none of the gross peas, Momma. Gimme that delicious sweet potato!
8. Who needs bedtime?
9. Men would all be tall, with beards and glasses. Smooth-faced men are very concerning.
10. Momma and Daddy would stop blocking the exits from the living room. She didn't come to rule the world confined to such a dull place!

Evelyn's First Pet

Evelyn got a pet today.

She found it all by herself.

She was laying on the floor between our bedroom and the bathroom, happily smacking the vinyl floor. Then she spotted... an ant! Using her ultra-precision pincher grip, she picked it up and put it where she could see it better. Amazingly, she didn't squish it, so it started to run away.

Squealing with delight at a toy that moves on its own, she proceeded to pick up the ant multiple times and to place it where she thought it looked best with the bathroom decor.

After a while, the game was boring and she went back to smacking the the vinyl floor.

Goodbye pet. It was fun while it lasted.

Swedish design makes E hungry...

Ignore my pasty arms. Ignore my chubby arms. Focus, instead, on the fact that I have several baby hickeys on my arm.

Today we headed to IKEA to pick out a crib for our little girl. She's grown too tall for her hammock and we are rapidly running out of room on our grownup bed. For most of the trip, she cuddled with Daddy in her wrap but as we were checking out, she declared that she was done with that. So I took her into my arms. Immediately she put her open mouth on my arm. This is not an unusual occurrence- she likes to put her mouth on shoulders and necks... any available body part, really.

Except this time she was sucking. Hard.

Guess she was hungry. All that modern design really takes it out of a baby.

I found some comfy couches in a waiting area and sat down to nurse her. I didn't have a nursing top so I used the wrap for coverage. I got the side eye from several ladies, whom I ignored. When you're showing more cleavage than I have bosoms total, don't judge me for nursing my child in public.

We've set up the crib side car to our own so that I can still have an easy reach to nurse E in the  night but we don't get kicks or tickles from the munchkin. Or Munskin, as my Grandma calls her. The Munson Munchkin.

So does anyone have a good hickey remedy?

No baby yet...

But look what I can do:

Matthew and I had one last photo shoot, just in case this little one comes on schedule. After doing the usual poses, Matthew asked me to touch the ground so that we could have photographic evidence that it's still possible. That led to more showing off and voilà... a picture that had me laughing about the oddness of it and rethinking my choice in lounge pants.

quick funny story

We were talking with the doctor the other day about our preferences for labor and delivery. She mentioned that many of the rooms have tubs and all have showers. She also reinforced what we'd heard; laboring in the shower is very popular. We talked about different positions for Beckie to labor and push in, and she seemed cool with whatever we wanted to do. Her one request was:

"You're going to have to get out of the shower to deliver. My rule is, I don't get wet."

I thought it was funny. Part of me hopes that somehow during labor/delivery, the doctor ends up soaked. I don't know how it would happen, but it sure would tickle my funny bone.

10 Commandments of Pregnancy

I found this on the pregnancy message board I spend most of my time on. It made me laugh and realize how blessed I am that I haven't had to deal with most of these.

1. The appropriate response to a couple/mother advising they/she is having a baby is "Congratulations". Say it like you mean it. Anything less than that makes you look like a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father~~NOT the grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus, or you are the man that helped put it there, you are forbidden from EVER using the phrase "MY BABY".

3. Furthermore, on that same note, unless you made the baby (reference #2), the pregnancy, the birth and subsequent views and rules about raising the child are not about and will never be about you. You have no input. No one solicited your opinion and, if one is needed, we will ask for it.

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. No touchy! I do not randomly ask you about your uterus, cervix or plans for use of your breasts...do me the same courtesy and refrain from asking me about mine. Pregnancy does not remove or void all traces of privacy from me but it has rendered me completely incapable of dealing with other people's BS and stupid comments.

5. No woman wants to hear any comments about weight gain. EVER! A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you feel she is about to pop when this pregnant woman knows she has at least 8 weeks left to go. All you managed to do is render a veiled "you're fat" remark. This also means any comments saying she must be having twins, she looks like she's retaining water and her nose is spreading are also unacceptable. Don't say she looks thin because then the mother-to-be will worry she is starving her baby. If you insist on making comments about a pregnant woman's physique then be prepared for the backlash that will no doubt ensue when it's our turn to ask you about how big you are. The best reply is "You look gorgeous/fabulous/radiant/amazing!"

6. We already know it's hot during the summer. It's always been hot in the summer. Don't be the person who needs to point out to us how hot it is in the summer during our pregnancy/before we deliver.

7. Ticketmaster does not sell tickets to Labor & Delivery for a reason. This has to do with the mother/father or whomever the MOTHER decides is suitable to be in the room. This is a private and emotional event. We'd rather not have an entire host of family members checking out our junk during delivery. You didn't help put the baby there and you're not watching it come out. We know your feelings are hurt....this too shall pass.

8. If you did not receive an invitation to the ultrasound, amnio, hospital, L&D, home- then you were not invited. You do not get to trump the mother's call on this one. Don't think you are doing us a favor by just showing up to "help out". If your assistance is needed, it will be requested.

9. If you are asked to come help after the birth then your duties are restricted to cleaning the house, cooking the meals and staying out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules and making a woman who is still leaking fluids from various locations get up to do the tasks you agreed to help out with isn't helping. It now means you're being a pain in the butt.

10. From here on out, the only people that are entitled to have exclusive time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you come to the hospital or wait a month before coming to see the new baby, that is the parent's call...not yours. Be appreciative that you are given the privilege of seeing their child. If you complain, whine or act like a butthead by showing any level of disappointment then your visits, should they be granted, will be restricted.