Two Years Old!

Two years ago today, you came into our life! I'm having trouble believing that that much time has gone by. I'm also having trouble believing it's only been two years. I feel like I've known you much longer than that.

You have too many words to list. You use basic sentences and paragraphs to talk about the world around you and the things you imagine. We often hide from dinosaurs and talk about how you'll ride a horse when you're bigger.

You received a Little People Nativity set for Christmas and it's one of your very favorite toys. You also love books about the Christmas story. We talk about Baby Chee-a (Jesus), Mahyee (Mary), and Jofor (Joseph) quite a bit. Sometimes when you learn new things, you talk about how they did them too. Riding along in the car one day  you announced that 'Mahyee fart. Jofor fart, too'.

You love singing and requesting songs to be sung to you. Favorites include 'Holy, Holy, Holy', 'Away in a Manger', 'Tomorrow', 'Sugar Sugar', 'Little Green Frog', and 'Little Baby Jesus'. 'Pete's Dragon' has become a favorite movie (moo-bee) and you love singing along to 'I love you, too' and 'Candle on the water'.

You are proud to be a 'big girl' and think it's neat that you can tell people how old you are with your fingers.

When someone asks you your name, you respond with, 'I'm me!'

Love you more than a mouse loves cheese,
Mommy

Months 13 and 14!

Dear Evelyn,

You have been keeping Momma so busy that she never got around to writing your letter at 13 months. You are an active and imaginative toddler who constantly wants to go outside and you want Momma and Daddy to come with you. You're a charmer and a flirt, but shy sometimes as well, who loves making new friends and reconnecting with old ones.

• You've got walking figured out. Now we're working on running. And walking backward. Sometimes you forget to watch where you're going and you trip over things in your haste to be where you want to go, fast.

• Hugs and kisses have become your latest way to show some love. You don't give them to just anyone and you don't always honor requests but that makes it all the sweeter when you do decide to give some smooches. Sometimes you decide to smooch inanimate objects (which makes Momma laugh) like the vacuum or your toys.
• You've received your first kiss from a boy (Jacob). But Daddy is okay because we'll live on the other side of the country soon. This first kiss was followed, within days, by kisses with another boy (Jackson). Again, Daddy is glad we're moving.

• The baby in the mirror is one of your very best friends. You chat all the time, give kisses, and even, occasionally, get into little fights.
• You still love to talk on the phone. You still use all sorts of random objects as phones, like teething rings, book lights and business cards.

• You go on a walk with Momma every day. We walk by an elementary school and you love to see the kids running, playing, and yelling. After we pass the school, the sun shade on your stroller gets pulled down and you settle in, usually falling asleep momentarily. On days that we didn't manage to make it out for a walk, you always ask for one in the evening. It has become part of your routine.
• Speaking of routine, you love your shower time in the evenings with Daddy. We start by singing our Shower Time song and we climb the stairs. Daddy is usually a little busy and you call him from the top of the stairs to remind him to come up: 'Dah-dah-Dadd-eee'. You have a set order that you accomplish things in the shower, like soapy-soapy time (rubbing your soapy hands together and washing your face); putting your faces under the water; banging on the shower walls, with hands then with heads; and washy-washy time (washing your arms and chest or Daddy's chest).
• You are really starting to communicate. You know several signs: milk, more, all done, please. You have your own versions of the 'real' sign but you are consistent and Momma and Daddy understand what you mean. You've made up some of your own as well. 'Help' is holding your arms straight up over your head. 'Pick me up' is hands in front of you, palms up, and tapping the sides of your hands together. You tap the side of your mouth when you want to wipe your face. You tap your chin to ask for water. You point to your mouth to ask to eat.

• You can say hi, Daddy, help, eyes, this and that. You are seem to prefer sign language but we think it's just a matter of time before you start using your words.
• You are an affectionate stuffed animal owner. You give them cuddles and kisses. You wipe noses and cloth diaper. And sometimes you try to use your baby laptop as a panini press. But you definitely care for your friends.

• You adore being outside. You would be outside all the time, if we let you. Naked, preferably. You are a little irritated that we make you wear clothes outside.
• You are showing signs that you'd be interested in potty training. We'll be starting that adventure very soon.
• A little boy moved into our apartment complex and the two of you have become fast friends. He's a year older than you but it's fine because it means you can push him around. You want to climb the stairs to his house every time we go outside.
• You've discovered that keys unlock things. Like doors and mailboxes. You often play with a set of keys and pretend to be unlocking things. Like the vacuum and your Push'n'Go. And, earlier today, a broom. You've got quite the imagination.

• You are starting to play more independently. You want to know where Momma and Daddy are but with us safely positioned, you've started keeping yourself busy for up to an hour at a time. 

• A third bottom tooth appeared this past weekend.
• You've had your first cold, first ear infection, first stomach bug and second cold and second ear infection since turning one. You're getting better but we really need to stop hanging out with other kids with stuffy noses...
• You have started picking out your own clothes. And you love wearing shoes- yours and other peoples. You like to wear Momma and Daddy's clothes sometimes too.

• You are wearing size 18 month clothes and size 5 shoes. You have been weighing in between between 24 and 25 pounds but you're so active you are really getting tall and lean. You are 31" tall and very leggy.
• Your favorite foods are Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, lima beans, cheese, and bites from Daddy's dinner plate.
• We've done some tourist-y things: you visited the beach for the first time. You weren't impressed.

 We saw the Hollywood sign. You weren't impressed with that either.

Okay, maybe you a little...

You are an ever-changing little person. You pick up new quirks all the time and slowly drop old habits. It's impossible to truly capture who you are in a single blog post. Momma and Daddy are so blessed that they get to be there for each moment of your growth, in stature and in experience.

Love you more than chocolate chips! Which, as you have discovered, is a very big deal,

XOXO,
Momma

One Year Old!

Dear Evelyn,

An entire year has passed us by and you are still getting more awesome by the day. Your personality is blossoming and it has been a pleasure to watch. I'm not quite sure where the time has gone. I am positive it was only yesterday that you were learning to sit. And the day before that you were learning to roll over.

• Scrunchy face and 7 teeth have combined into a delightful combination we like to call your "Toothy Grin". You flash it when you are being sneaky, find an item that you just love, or get compliments. Sometimes you flash it just because.

Toothy grin because Momma is singing 'Hot Stuff' to you.

• You can make a noise that Momma and Daddy can't duplicate. Sounds like D'go but somehow you make it throaty and add a double tongue noise. 
• You are very chatty with your Mamamamama and A-da (Momma and Daddy) and like when we make your noises back to you.
• A few days before your first birthday you really figured out this whole walking thing. You took your first steps during the Christmas holiday but were too cautious to commit right way. If you were walking, you wanted one hand (at least) holding onto the couch (or a chair or Momma's leg, etc) for security sake. Occasionally you'd break away and take 4 or 5 steps before realizing you were on your own. Then you'd get nervous and sit down. Until a trip to the mall with Momma and Auntie N. Those racks of clothes were SO tempting. You couldn't help yourself. While Momma tried to find a pair of jeans to fit her still-post-partum booty, you discovered the joy of walking.
• Shaking hands has become a pleasure of yours. As has head butting. That one's not as cute though.
• A favorite game we play on the bed is called Flops. With a pillow behind you, Momma or Daddy will say flops. And you'll fall backwards onto the pillow. From a sitting position, of course, and always checking to make sure there is a pillow there. Or a pile of laundry. Whatever. You're adventurous, but not foolish.
• You adore taking showers with your Daddy. You two have a whole routine involving 'soapy-soapy', where your rub your soapy hands together and then wash your face; 'washy-washy' or 'cleaning Daddy's chest'; and laughing your little head off when he shakes his head under the water spray.
• You enjoy being able to feed yourself, as well as feeding others. Favorite eats include pouches of pureed fruits and veggies, cheddar bunnies, cheese, tortilla chip, pretzels, and apples. Breast milk is still your favorite. You make a funny laugh noise when you know you are about to have some.
• Your hair sometimes has a mind of it own because Momma is not ready to cut it yet. And hair clips have a habit of being removed...

Is there something on my face?

• You adore talking on the phone. In fact you have 4 fake phones you practice on. And when you don't have those handy, you use whatever you have: crackers, shoes, pizza crust, anything.

Hello, hello!

• Momma is your best pal and sometimes you yell at Daddy for hugging her. Group hugs are much appreciated however.
• Almost every time we go out, you are complimented on your eyes.

Love you, Dear Girl. Cuddle monkey. Senorita Poopy Pants. Face. Sweet Love.

xoxo,
Momma

11 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,
Almost an entire year has gone by since we first met you. This time last year we were anxiously and excited awaiting your arrival. I expected you to come at any time although, honestly, I never expected to have to wait two weeks after your estimated due date to hold you.

• You are delighted by walking. You technically can walk on your own but you are a very cautious child (like your father before you) and, if you don't have someone or something to hold onto, you drop to a crawl after two or three independent steps. You are very clever about inventing walking devices- you've used upside down laundry baskets and the foot stool to a papasan chair to make your way around.
• Walking with Momma outside is fun. You like to crunch your bare feet on the fallen leaves. It really is very nice that we live somewhere that you can walk outside barefoot in January.
• "My by myself," as your Momma used to say, is the phrase of the month. Especially when it comes to food and climbing the stairs. Finger foods are the best, made even better if they require the use of your precision pincer grip. Crispy rice, pizza crust and peas have been favorites and recently you've added sliced banana to the mix. Apples and pears are preferred in their original form. None of this silly cutting into baby size pieces.
• You drink very well out of an adult cup. Sometimes though, if you don't have help, you forget that there is still water in the cup when you're done drinking and it ends up all over your. This happens when you are overzealous in your cup tipping as well.
• We let you try coloring with crayons for the first time. You put one crayon in your cup of water and bit the tip off another. So we'll be waiting a little longer to reintroduce those.
• You enjoy putting items into other items. And taking items out of other items. Spoons go in cups. Toys go in your lunch box. Anything small enough goes in your mouth.
• You love "talking" on the phone. You got some toy cell phones for Christmas and you put them up to your ear... you do the same thing with pizza crusts, garlic bread, combs... anything in hand that can be a phone. Hello, hello!

• When you get excited you have started to make a growling screech of joy. Real laughter (belly, as opposed to breathy) has become a part of your repertoire as well after being an infrequent occurrence. Dohdohdoh and Wowowow are popular words. Nuhnunna is another. During our trip to Alaska you met a dog and some birds and learned to call them Dadada and Berberber, respectively.
• This month marked a huge step in your relationship with scary things- dogs and little boys. Up until now, either type of creature would easily reduce you to tears with their loud noises and fast movements. When we arrived in Alaska you were literally shaking with fear at the sight of Peter Jehosaphat Munson. By the end of the trip you would follow him around, trying to pet him. You still would get scared if he barked but the time spent with him also made little boys less scary.
• You are growing like mad and stretching out into a toddler. There are days that Daddy comes home from work and you are longer than when he left.

• You get separation anxiety at night in your crib so you still spend a good portion of the night with Momma and Daddy in their bed. In the middle of the night you are insistent on snuggling with Daddy. And then you get mad at him because he can't nurse you. You also sleep in odd positions- Momma might wake up with a foot in her face; Daddy with a noggin' nestled in his neck; arms and legs akimbo with your head sideways up against the headboard.
• If you were in charge you'd be allowed to: spend all day on the 3rd or 4th step of the stairs, watching the world; no clothing would be allowed; bath time would occur while standing up.
• Your Aunty N got you a swing for Christmas that we've hung on the porch. You've fallen asleep in it several times. Just get you going and the eyes start drooping!

Love you, little girl, more than the moon and the stars! Love you, dear heart, more than chocolate ice cream! Love you, Senorita Poopy Pants, more than I can really express!

XOXO,
Momma

10 Months Old!

 
Dear Evelyn,

Hey there little person! You've got opinions on the world now that you aren't afraid of sharing. Life is meant to be explored and you're doing your best to learn all you can.

Momma was so late in writing your 9 month letter that a lot of the things you enjoy remain the same.

• You took two rides on a big airplane to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Alaska.
• You are an excellent stander and cruise along the furniture with ease.
• Dancing is your favorite pastime. You appreciate encouragement to really get going. You also take requests.
• You enjoy being able to feed yourself. You prefer fruits and love the pouch baby food that comes with a spout so you can eat it 'my by myself'.
• You're our little hippie in the making. No shoes for you. No clothes, in fact, when you can swing it.
• Favorite toys include cell phones and remotes, when you can get them; things that fit in other things are wonderful; and Momma and Daddy's stuff.

Love you with all my heart. And Daddy's too.

Forgot to add:

• You can stand without support and enjoy combining it with your other tricks, like dancing or twisting.
• When you're in your booster seat, and pleased with life, you bring your hands up and twist back and forth as fast as you can.
• You developed a scrunchy face that is interchangeable with a smile. It's on it's way out of your repertoire but it was awesome while it lasted.

9 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,

You are an awesome child. Funny, quirky, social and focused. You are fast becoming a baby girl instead of an infant.

• You've started using 'Momma' and 'Dada' appropriately. Not always. Sometimes you are just practicing your words but you know what the words mean.
• This past month you developed an interesting 'clap'. When excited, your hands come up by your face and then you jerk them together like you are going to clap. But you don't finish. It's hilarious.

• You have become a dancing machine. You'll wave an arm. Or shake your booty. Or bob back and forth. You dance pretty much whenever you hear music you like or when Momma says 'Dancin', dancin'!' (the punctuation for that can't possibly be right- thoughts?)
• Verbose is one way to describe you. Oohs and Aahs. Some goos and anungs. Ayah ayah, grrrrowl and squeal. You thoroughly enjoy trying out new sounds.
• You take joy in belly buttons. It's especially clever of Momma and Daddy to have them.
• Games you enjoy include pointing at others, waiting for them to point back; offering items to Momma or Daddy and then taking them back; peek-a-boo; splashing in the tub; standing so you can't see Momma without turning, then giggling or shrieking when you turn to look for her.
• You like to eat banana puffs, prunes, apple cinnamon oatmeal, sweet potato, and little bits of apple. You are very proud when you feed yourself.

• At your nine month checkup, you weighed 21 pounds 4 ounces and were a whopping 29" tall. Your hair is growing like mad as well and is often floating around your head like a strawberry blonde baby 'fro.

• You love to be outside and the changing colors of the leaves is very intriguing. You still love to look at roses.
• You are wearing 12 month sized clothing but you are approaching the upper size limits. You'll probably be moving over to 18 month sized clothing after our trip to Alaska.
• You have become a well-traveled crawler and you are currently working on standing on your own. You'll often pull up on a piece of furniture and then let go to play with a toy with both hands.

This time next month we'll be on our way to Alaska. It's amazing to think of what new things await us as Christmas approaches. Will you like the snow? The reindeer? Will you be able to handle an entire house full of Munsons? Will you walk while both sets of grandparents are there to cheer you on?

We'll be finding out soon!

Love you to pieces!

Momma

8 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,

Another month full of new discoveries has come and gone. It's hard to capture your little personality in a post on a blog but here's a little taste of who you are right now:

• You sing with Momma. One of us will sing a note and the other will match it. Usually Momma matches your notes but sometimes you follow her.
• Waving your arms and clapping your hands are signs of delight. You copy others when they clap too.
• Overnight you've become a crawling machine. You are incredibly stealthy about it too. One moment I'll see you in one part of the house and suddenly I discover you in a completely different locale.
• You have two teeth (on the bottom) and we've started on solids. You like bananas and sweet potatoes the best and pears are okay too. We're doing our best to teach you healthy eating habits because both sides of the family have a tendency to be heavy.
• You are starting to wear size 12 months clothes when we go out and about. When we are home, you usually just hang out in your diaper!
• You enjoy being in your crib during the day- you look between the bars to see the baby in the mirror and you practice pulling up to stand. 
• You don't think sleeping in your crib is a great idea. It usually takes a few tries to get you to sleep for the night. You'll sleep for an hour or so and wake up, irritated that we've put you in the crib. Once you've settle down for the night, you sleep about 5 hours before waking up to nurse and cuddle with Momma. We cuddle together for several hours until it's time to get up for the day.
• Your Grandpa P came to visit and you loved his beard and untying his shoes.
• Momma stays at home with you now instead of going to work. It's taken some time for you to adjust your routine from when Daddy stayed home with you in the mornings.
• You are becoming so active that we haven't taken nearly as many pictures as usual. Loads of video, however, are available to document your crawls and stands!
• You prefer toys that belong to Momma and Daddy but when those aren't available you like your wooden puzzles, ladles, and the toys from your play gym. You've started to display a preference for orange toys. You enjoy playing under Momma's desk because it's just your size.
• You love bath time. You've perfected splashing and you sometimes try to sneak sips of water.
• The infant car seat has been replaced with a big girl seat. You've gotten so big!

You're such a wonderful little girl, even when you're cranky and don't want to go to sleep.We love you to the moon and back!

7 Months Old! (A little late)

Dear Evelyn,

You are growing and blossoming into a lovely little girl.You're a flirt. You have a beautiful smile that always makes other people smile. You're a seasoned traveler. You love your Momma and Daddy and we love you right back.

• You've started to clap. It developed from waving your arms. You wave them whenever you get excited and now you've figured out that you can clap too. You very much enjoy clapping and do it frequently.
• Momma accidentally got a mom haircut. She fixes the back with both her hands and you've started copying her. Two hands go behind your head and you smooth it forward.
• Because of your Daddy, you love tall men with beards and glasses. These are usually the type that make babies cry but not you. It's adorable to watch you melt hearts. Your Grandma P is very much smitten with you.
• You have three chub rolls on each upper thigh alone. You are such a healthy, beautiful baby.
• You're wearing 9 month size clothes but even those are starting to get snug. Momma is going to have to break out the 12 months clothes soon!
• Social Baby would be on your resume, if you had one. You especially love other babies and kids. You are going to be a wonderful big sister someday!
• Favorite toys include the caps to the Medela bottles Momma pumps milk into, your cell phone (Momma's old one), the frog jumper, Momma's hair, and anything that Momma or Daddy have.
• You've started giving Momma hickeys while she's sleeping. She keeps waking up with red makes on her arms.

•  One little tooth has popped through on your bottom gums. You've been very behaved and haven't bitten Momma while nursing too often.
• Vocabulary includes 'a-ma-ma-ma', 'a-da-da-da', and a 'ng' sound that reminds Momma and Daddy of Ahn-Nyeong from Arrested Development.
• Traveling with you has been a breeze. You get loads of compliments from fellow travelers. The real metal spoon in first class on the way home from Grandma and Grandpa P's house was your favorite toy.

Everyday you're a new little lady. Love you 'de tout mon coeur'.

6 Months!

Dear Evelyn,

Wow! Six months. Half a year. Next thing I know, you're going to be heading to Kindergarten! It has been such a treat watching you blossom and grow. You're a bit of a goof, a bit of a flirt and curious about the world around you.

• You prefer to be sitting or standing. None of this silly laying on the floor. That's for babies... When you do deign to allow us to leave you on your back, you are quite the little roller.
• You make the occasional consonant sounds. M's and b's. Mostly, however, you growl and yell. It's very lady-like, dear girl. Sometimes Momma growls and yells back and we laugh and laugh together. Your Daddy believes that some of your yells are so high pitched that only dogs can hear you.
• Bath time remains a favorite activity. We use the big tub and either Momma or Daddy goes in with you. We are teaching you how to float on your back but you aren't thrilled about getting water in your ears. Sometimes we give you some bath toys and you use them to splash like crazy and make loads of noise banging them on the side of the tub. If you are sitting on Momma's lap, you can pull yourself up into a stand with the rim of tub.
• You usually scream through your bedtime diaper change because you know that when we're done, it's time to eat. 'Why do we have to do this silly diaper thing! I want to be eating NOW!'
• You still chat with your owls after each diaper change. You yell with delight and your whole body quivers with excitement.
• Favorite toys right now include cold teething rings, the plastic monkey, the tag on any of your toys but mostly the tag on the pink and white puppy, and Sophie the Giraffe.
• The bassinet from your stroller has become a great playpen. It allows you to sit up with out the worry of falling over. It also keeps all your best toys close at hand.
  

• You love the baby in the mirror. And you love when the baby in the mirror shows up on Momma's computer.
• Daddy is pretty much the best person ever right now. And you always wonder why other Daddy's don't have a great beard like his.
• You sleep in a crib now. It's right next to Momma and Daddy's bed so you know your safe. Up until now you've always fallen asleep for the night being rocked in someones arms or nursing. This past week we've been able to help you fall asleep right in the crib! When your tummy is nice and full, the sound machine and projector are turned on and you are put on your back in the crib. You watched the images on the ceiling and kick your legs. Eventually you end up on your tummy and Momma rubs your back and sings until your little eyes close.
• For a few weeks, you would hold your arms above your head and expect Momma or Daddy to say 'SO big'.

• You've almost outgrown your infant car seat. Soon it will be time to buy a convertible seat for you. We'll find out for sure tomorrow how much time we have until you are 30" tall.
• Grandma M and Daddy taught you how to stick you tongue out. It's such an adorable little tough!
• We're pretty sure you are going to pop some teeth any time now. Chewing has become an all consuming passion. Sometimes you even chew on Momma's shoulders and her cheeks. Good thing you're cute!

We love you, Punkinator!

Momma

5 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,
I can't quite believe that 5 months have already passed since you were born. At this time 5 months ago, we were in the delivery room, waiting for your arrival.

• Your hair has a mind of it's own. It's always wildly and raucously curly about your head. Or standing straight out. Or both. It's also growing in blonder and blonder. It seems like every time we wash your hair, it dries lighter.
• You've become an expert roller. This past week you even became an ambi-turner. Up until then you would only roll to your right. Once on your tummy, however, you get frustrated because a) you can't get the whole blanket/toy in your mouth and b) you want to be crawling already.
• Sitting has become the "it" thing. We prop you up and you proudly sit up. You enjoy sitting on laps, on tables, in the gym, in the bath. Until you notice your toes anyway. Then it's always a big decision: bring them up to my face to chew on or lean over to chew on?
• Speaking of chewing, that's pretty much the cat's meow. If you can get your hands on it, you'd like to see how it would do for a good nom-nom-nom.
• Your vocabulary has expanded to "hmmm", "muh", squeals, and grunts. We've tried to explain that grunts aren't terribly lady-like but you don't seem to mind.
• After each diaper change you want to stand on the changing pad and say hello to each of your owls. Daddy Owl. Mommy Owl. Evelyn Owl. Daddy Owl is your favorite and you tell him your best stories.
• We've started doing bath time in the big tub, which is great for splashing. You think it might be fun to drink the water but we try to discourage that. Sometimes Daddy takes you in the shower and you enjoy sticking your hands under the spray of water.
• You love when we use the phone. When you see the display light up and and "ring" on speaker phone, you smile and wiggle. And then you try to put the phone in your mouth. Occasionally you seem rather concerned that Daddy's voice is coming out of that thing in Momma's hand. Where is he hiding, anyway?!
• Your best baby friend is Jackson. You roll on the floor together. You like the same toys.
• Your favorite toys right now are your pink polka-dotted puppy, your baby doll, Sophie the giraffe and any blankets or burp clothes you can get your hands on. Your terry cloth bunny and flower rattle are good in the car. And the tray to your Bumbo seat is good, with toys or without.
• You stay home with Daddy in the mornings while Momma goes to work and you two are such good friends. You enjoy playing with Daddy so much that sometimes it distracts you when you're trying to nurse- hold on a second, Momma, gotta make sure my friend is still here!
• After the Farmer's Market each Saturday, we go to the park and watch all the kids playing on the playground. You love rolling around under the big shady tree and practicing your play noises.

Love you, Baby Girl! Wonder who you'll become this next month...

Love,
Momma

4 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,

I'm sitting here, watching you sleep, and wondering how so much time has already passed. You're learning new things every day and it's amazing to see you changing before our eyes. My mum has been here for the past month to watch you in the mornings while I'm at work. We call her Grandma Curry because she likes having curry on her food!

• Grandma Curry is one of your favorite friends now. You laugh best for her!
• Your smile lights up your whole face when you wake up in the morning and when Momma or Daddy get home from work.
• You have started rolling over onto your tummy. Most of the time you forget to move the arm you are rolling towards and you end up laying on it.
• You are getting so strong- you love to stand up just holding onto Momma or Daddy's fingers.
• You love to chew on things. You're pretty sure if somebody would let you chew on their nose that you'd enjoy it. You also enjoy chewing on your doll, Sophie the giraffe, the terry bunny, and your teething rings. The shoulder of anyone carrying you is also fair game.
• Bath time is still a lot of fun. We tried taking you in the shower. That was okay but not as fun as the tub. You are getting to be big for your little tub so we'll be starting baths in the big tub soon.
• You've started chewing on your thumb instead of sucking it. And it's normally used to fish-hook your cheek instead of being placed in the center of your mouth.
• You sleep in the Moby wrap every Saturday at the Farmer's Market. Except last Saturday you fell asleep on the way there so you slept in the stroller instead.
• You fit into 3-6 and 6 month clothes. But when it's really warm you hang out in just your diaper. Which is most of the time here in So Cal.
• Daddy's beard is great fun- your little fingers burrow in and pat his cheeks.
• You are great sleeper! You generally sleep from 9:30 or 10pm until about 4am, in my arms and then in your hammock. You nurse in bed with me in the early morning hour and then sleep next to Momma and Daddy in the big bed. Momma nurses you again before heading to work at 7:30 and you'll nap again until 9:30 sometimes! This, of course, changes frequently. The last few nights you've been waking up between 12-2am for a snack as well.
• You are an outdoors girl who loves to watch the leaves blow around above your head. Roses are very exciting and hydrangeas are just okay.
• You love to play pattycake on your back, with your feet.
• You aren't a fan of tummy time. But tonight, on the day you turn four months old, you not only propped yourself up on your elbows but you also rolled from your front to your back. Go you!

Monday is your next doctors visit. We'll see how much you've officially grown.

Can't imagine life without you anymore.

Love,
Momma

3 Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,

Three months seems like they've flown by in the blink of an eye- you are no longer a tiny newborn. You interact with the world and people around you. You are such a wonderful little person, with a sweet voice and an infectious giggle.

• You still adore bath time. If you are feeling grumpy, it always cheers you up. You laughed for the first time when we took you out of your bath. We placed you on the towel in daddy's arms and you giggled. So we bounced and danced around as a family, delighting in listening to you. Now we do that every night after bath time.
• You become quite the talker. The lamp over the dining room table is a good friend, as is the cute baby in the mirror... you chat up a storm with both of them. Ooo's and aaa's and a bit of owl-y whoo-ing.
• You have rediscovered your thumb. We saw you sucking away at the late ultrasound visits while we were awaiting your birth and you continued to enjoy it for your first two weeks. Then you gave it up. Now you snuggle into Momma's shoulder and pop the thumb in your mouth to put yourself to sleep. You use your other arm to hug Momma's neck. Sometimes at night you wake up and talk to yourself and suddenly there is a loud sucking noise emanating from the hammock as your thumb finds it way to your mouth.
• When Daddy puts you to sleep, he uses the 'Daddy Swaddle', using his arms to enclose you and keep you snug while allowing you free movement of  your arms.
• You've been sleeping 7.5-8 hours at night. You fall asleep in Momma or Daddy's arms (usually Momma's) and after about an hour, we lay you in your hammock. Generally you go to sleep between 11pm and 12am and wake up at 7:45
• Your neck takes some effort to keep clean because you are a healthy roly-poly baby and sometimes you get milk under your chin chub.
• You are wearing some 3 month clothes but you are starting to wear 6 month outfits because you are a tall baby girl!
• You love to watch the TV show 'Friends' and you laugh when Chandler tells jokes.
• Your hands are the best toy right now! They are great to watch, for grabbing clothing, for chewing on. Especially for chewing on! Sometimes when you are about to nurse, you get really excited and put your fists in your mouth. You also have started holding onto toys like your rattle and soft baby doll.
• You love listening to Momma sing. Daddy, however, sometimes makes you cry! We think it's because his deep voice startles you. You love his talking voice though and will fall asleep in his arms to the sound of it. You also enjoy chatting with him on the telephone and can't figure out how that little device sounds just like Daddy.

We love you, dear sweet baby girl. As excited as we are to meet the person you're going to become, I'm going to miss little Evelyn.  I hope that you will always have laughter in your eyes and a smile on your lips. And now, while you're still so small, I'm going to enjoy the snuggles and the wiggles and milk breath smiles.

Love,
Momma

Two Months Old!

Dear Evelyn,

I wanted to post this two days ago but you keep Momma very busy. I just wanted to let you know a little about yourself at this ripe old age...

• You have a beautiful grin. And you smile whenever we tell you that you're beautiful.
• You love bath time. Every night at 9, we plop you in the tub and you smile and coo. It doesn't matter that you may have been crying just moments before. You are an excellent splasher, too. We keep your tub on the dining room table and you always manage to soak the whole table. And Momma and Daddy. You don't like the hoods on your towels- you cry if we try to put them on your head.
  
• Your favorite toys right now are a rattle from Great-aunty K, a giraffe from Grandma M and a frog from Grandma P. You're not quite sure what to do with the rattle yet but it does intrigue you. You'll hold onto it but you don't seem to realize that you are. It's great for Momma or Daddy to shake though. The giraffe and frog give you kisses at diaper change time. They're super soft and you love to feel them on your face and tummy.
• You don't enjoy diaper changes but you do like being naked and you really enjoy your changing table. Sometimes we'll even move the changing pad to other places in the house so you can lounge on it in your birthday suit.
• At your last checkup, you weighed 12 pounds and were 23.5 inches tall. You are wearing mostly 3 month sized clothing but it won't be long before we have to switch to the 3-6 and 6 month sized clothing. Your cloth diapers are a bit bulky so you need clothing that is larger than you otherwise would.
• You are an avid talker... especially with Momma. We have conversations all day long. You even talk in your sleep! Right now you can coo and gurgle and make breathy laughs. No belly laughs yet but I'm sure those are coming soon.
• Ever since you were born you have loved to be outside. I can't count the number of times you've been fussing, because you're tired but can't figure out how to go to sleep, and the moment you're outside, your eyes close.
• You can tell if someone is sitting or standing while rocking you. Most of the time, sitting just won't do. That's okay though- Momma still has some weight to lose from when she was pregnant with you.
• Speaking of sitting and standing- you love to do both! You still need help to balance but you are a very strong little girl. We like to joke that you'll be walking by 4 months.
• One of my favorite parts of being your mom are watching you sleep when you're done nursing. You snuggle in my arms and smack your lips. Sometimes you reach up and play with your hair. Or cover your face with your forearm.

You've finally settled in to sleep so your Momma is going to take advantage of that and get some sleep herself! We love you and we're so excited to meet the person you're going to become.

Love,
Mom