Evie speak

I have been amazed these last few weeks at how many new words Evie is picking up.  She is very aware of the things we say and the sounds we make, and she often will imitate us at the most funny moments.  It has made me realize that we need to be careful to use our language in a thoughtful way at all times.  I want to share some of Evie's words - her version of them and what I have found that they mean.

hi - hi
muh - milk
mama - mama :) She often says this repeatedly now because she likes when I respond with, "Yes?"
dada - daddy
dah-dah - doggy, not to be confused with "daddy"
sop - soup
bah-bah or bah-boo - baby; she says this as she pats my tummy or if she sees a baby
up - this means both up and down, which can get confusing
cheese - cheese
wa-wa - water
side - outside
teez - toothbrush
night-night - bedtime
hep - help
tig - tiger, her favorite toy
hey - hey or hi
tee-tee - TV
bye-bye - bye, also she uses this to reference cars
home - home
sah - sock
shez - shoes
two - two; she counts to three, but usually skips one; she sometimes uses this to mean again
dah - please; not sure why she says "dah" for please but can clearly say cheese, peas, etc.

There are more, but many are slipping my mind at the moment.  I love that we are slowly starting to understand each other better. I just love that little girl!

september sun

The weather here has been getting drastically cooler these last few days.  Fall is certainly approaching.  But today, the breezy sunshine gave Evie and I the perfect opportunity for a spur of the moment picnic on our front lawn! 

my little mommy

what i love about you

My sweet little Evie Bean,

I can't believe how quickly you are growing and changing right before my eyes.  Your curious spirit and independent personality are showing more and more each day.  You are really starting to find your voice, too! It's amazing how much you can communicate with us, even though your language is still minimal.  

As you have grown, you have developed some adorable quirks and habits.  I don't always realize how precious these moments are because they are part of my many days with you; however, other people are always commenting on how smart and adorable you are! We can never get through the store without a stranger stopping to chat with you and tell you how beautiful you are (or how much you look like your daddy!)  

I want to remember these silly little moments with you because they are the moments that make motherhood worthwhile.  Moments pass so quickly, and I don't want to lose these precious memories.

I love the way you say hi to us when we go to get you in the morning.

I love how you stomp your little feet when you're frustrated or just being goofy with us.

I love how you say hi to everyone we pass at the store.

I love how you cuddle your tiger and your baby, mimicking the way we pat your back and kiss your face.

I love how you happily run around naked after your baths.

I love the adorable animal sounds you make! You currently know cow, monkey, pig, and duck, though you sometimes get them mixed up :)

I love how you belly laugh when Daddy bounces you on the bed, and how you immediately stand up and say, "Two!" when he's done because you want to do it again.

I love how you stand on your tip toes to reach the piano keys, and how you light up when you "play."

I love how you immediately lay on the ground when we tell you no to something you want to do.

I love the way you babble so confidently to us as if we know exactly what you are saying.

I love how you sing and dance when music comes on!

I love you so much my little bean - big as the sky!

a girl and her garden

Helping mama tend to the garden

Juicy!

The day's harvest!

Tomato seeds on Evie's chin

Sour green tomato!

the "n word"

Well, it finally happened.  Evie learned to say the word "no."

I knew it would be coming soon because she has already mastered the art of shaking her head from side to side when she is unhappy about something.  Then, a few days ago, I said to her, "Can I have a kiss?" And she simply said, "No," and walked away.

And it has been her favorite word ever since.

I actually find it to be humorous and even kind of cute because I'm not sure that she completely understands what it means.  For example, if I offer her a sippy cup of milk and say, "Do you want your milk?" she will tell me no but then gladly take it from me.  

It really amazes me how quickly she is learning and growing.  It seems like the baby days are getting further and further behind us with toddlerhood just ahead.  I love seeing her explore and try new things, but there is a part of me that misses her little baby self.  I'm excited though to watch her grow into the beautiful girl she is already becoming.

happenings

Wow, sorry for the long silence.  We've had a few busy days and a few not-so-busy days spent enjoying the beautiful sunshine.  Either way, I was absent.

Chris and I just returned from a quick two day trip to Ohio to visit the Alive Music Festival.  A small group of our students were there, so we wanted to go check it out.  It was so so hot, but I loved being outside the whole day! It sure was nice to come home to my sweet baby girl though.

*I'm not in any of these pictures because I just got a tattoo and can't swim... bummer.

sweet nothings

Days like today are truly a breath of fresh air for my spirit.  

We had the most delightful afternoon here on this beautiful, drizzly Memorial Day.  When Evie awoke from her morning nap, we packed up the car and headed out on a picnicking adventure with two of our very dearest friends, Alyssa and Steven.  Although the beach was packed with people celebrating, grilling, and enjoying each other's company, we found a lovely patch of field that we had all to ourselves.  (Chris and I reminisced about getting engaged in this very park!) Alyssa pulled out her picnic basket filled with goodies - smoked salmon, pasta salad, and freshly brewed sweet tea.  And we sat and talked and enjoyed being together.  We shared a meal and then walked down by the lake with Evie in tow in the wagon.

It wasn't a fancy double date or a big cookout with a lot of people.  Nope, it was simple, a sweet nothing of an afternoon, yet it was everything.  Just what we needed.  We were able to take our minds from work and infertility and just enjoy the day and the beautiful creation.

Photo courtesy of Alyssa's instagram! :)

I'm finding that I really like the simple things these days.

not so baby

My baby is not really a baby anymore.

I've been thinking about this often as of late because Evie recently turned one.  In the last two months, she has started walking, communicating more, and demonstrating a lot of independence.  Girl is stubborn! But I know that can be channeled for good things in her future.

My little bean isn't so little anymore either.  Her chubby legs hang over the edge of her car seat, which is now much too heavy to tote around with her strapped in.  She can reach things on our kitchen table, and she has even started trying to climb onto the furniture by herself.

What a difference a year makes.

Sometimes I miss the baby days when I could pop her in my sling and feel her snuggled close to me.  I miss us snoozing together on the couch after a long night.  But I'm so excited to see what kind of person she's going to become.  It's scary too because I know that she is always watching me, modeling my behaviors, and picking up on my habits.  And I'm not always worthy of being modeled.  But I hope that we will continue to grow and learn together as a family.  May we have grace with her as I hope she will with us.

just another day

There is nothing special about today, yet there are so many special things about today.  I get to spend another wonderful day at home with my daughter.  And although she makes it difficult to get anything done, I love just being with her.  

My love. 

My Week in Pictures