enjoying the warmth

We tried to take advantage of the unseasonably ridiculously great weather in March by playing outside as much as possible. It definitely gave us a taste of how fun the summer will be!

First Trimester -- in the books!

It's odd.
 I really did not feel well during most of the first trimester. Despite the fact that I didn't find myself throwing up (thank goodness) often or anything like that, I did spend a lot of time groaning on the couch and not eating dinner. Some nights it was very difficult to come up with anything I wanted to have for dinner.
However, I feel like time is totally flying by! Maybe it's because I don't have as much free time to sit and think about things like I did last time, but I couldn't believe it when the calendar told us the first trimester was over!
I'm not sure how much weight I've gained so far. I didn't know what my exact weight was before I got pregnant! I have lost about 5 pounds from the first doctor's appointment until now. I'm not too worried about it though because I'm sure I'll gain it back in no time!
The pregnancy being so different this time really kept me on my toes and made me nervous at times. I was worried when I was sick, I was worried when I wasn't. I counted down the days and the hours until I'd finally get to come in for my first appointment to listen for the baby's heartbeat. It was during spring break, so Evalee got to come along with us.
"Now we can't always hear it this early," the nurse assured me as we got things ready. I nodded, knowing the paranoia would increase dramatically if we couldn't find it yet. I held my breath. Thankfully, God knew how much I needed those little whooshes. After just a few moments, there it was. Whoosh whoosh whoosh. Happiness. Relief.

To my baby on her second birthday

Evalee Ann --
When I look back at the baby you were on your first birthday, I can't believe how much smarter, taller, and more beautiful you've become in the last year. It has been an eventful year, for sure. You had two surgeries, and even though they were minor and routine I was stressed and paranoid. But  you were so strong and brave through both of them. You've learned so many things this year. I'm mainly so proud of how many of your letters you know. I think the credit there goes to your relentless grandma with her letters on your drawing pads and that crazy iPad of hers that you love so much! You can also count, when you're in the mood. You can identify so many animals by name and by the sound they make, and going to the zoo with you this year is going to be a blast now that you're a little chatterbox that we can actually understand sometimes.

My favorite part about spending this last year with you has been watching your personality bud and shine. You're one of the most stubborn people I have ever met, and that is not an exaggeration. That stubbornness can lead to you being pretty bossy at times, but what's funny is sometimes you're bossy, we do what you say, and we end up cracking up over whatever creative thing you've dreamed up for us to do. As much as I dread the show downs we often have, I know that stubborn nature will lead you to be become a strong, independent-minded young woman someday. You're also so loving and caring. You're almost never shy and will give hugs and kisses freely to those asking. You also have a very helping spirit -- you love to help wash dishes at the sink, help Daddy pick up sticks or rocks in the yard, "help" me put on my make up in the morning, and you even beg to let me help you cook at the stove (sorry kiddo, not for a few more years). You love to make people smile and laugh, whether it's by belting out long notes with the organ at church, starting a game of hide and seek, or making your bread talk at dinner.

It has been a wonderful year getting to know you even better, Eva. I can't even imagine the little lady you'll be when you turn 3 a year from today, but I'm looking forward to watching you get there.

Easter birthday

This year Eva's birthday fell right on Easter! We started off the day scrambling to get ready and to church on time so we'd actually get a seat. We attempted to get a quick picture by the tulips, but she was not in a picture mood. After church we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a delicious turkey dinner. Then we hid eggs out in the yard, and Evalee had a blast running around the yard finding them. She had to give each egg a shake to be sure there were MnMs in all of them before adding them to her bucket. We came back inside and let her open the birthday presents we held back for her to open on her actual day, which was most bubbles and bubble related toys. Not surprisingly, we had to bust those out right away. It was a fun day and a great 2nd birthday!

a hunting we will go...

Evalee was invited to her first official Easter egg hunt at her babysitter's house this year. We had no idea how big the hunt was when we were invited, but it was quite the cool ordeal. We didn't know if she'd be interested in finding eggs or understand it at all, but boy did she like it. She giggled deliriously as she collected the eggs into her basket until it was full enough for her liking. Then she just chased her friends around the yard for a while. It was fun to see everyone, and I'm so glad Judy invited us to come!

Our first try at coloring eggs

I decided to be brave this year, and despite the recommendation of ages 5 and up on the Easter egg dye kit, I got things ready for Eva to give it a try. We stripped her down to her diaper and tried to let her get involved as much as possible, pouring in the vinegar and water, dropping in the color tablets, punching out the holes in the drying rack. She was having a blast. Then we brought out the eggs. Oh was she excited. We did our best to explain to her how fragile they were, but the excitement was clouding all reason. We only had one official casualty. She did NOT like to wait and let the egg sit in the dye for very long and did NOT like to be told she couldn't dig into the cups of dye with her hands to retrieve said eggs. In the end, she was getting the hang of it and having lots of fun. Then we ran out of eggs. The tears and cries, I'm sure, could be heard at the neighbor's. "Eggs! More eggs!" she begged on the dining room floor. Happy Easter.