Last weekend we all made the trip down to Springfield to visit the family. Aunt Molly and I had been planning a visit around this time of year for a while now, and I was happy that we managed to find some time to do it. Saturday night we spent the night with Grandma and Grandad Kershaw. Evalee was in a good mood and got lots of smiles and snuggles in with her grandparents. Then Sunday it was off to church before heading up to Williamsville for the game and some hanging out. Alex and Eva played pretty well together this time. Eva is now finally old enough to sit and play with toys, so she was a totally different baby than the last time Alex saw her. I think she definitely got him back a bit for the "love pats" he gave her a few months ago, and she looooved to chase after those pretty little curls of his! Aunt Molly and I even got some diaper-deal shoppin' in (AND got some Chiphotle. Yummy!) Uncle Adam made us some WONDERFUL pancakes for breakfast and then we decided to try to get some pictures of the munchkins. We got several where both sets of eyes are open and they aren't crying, so we considered the photo shoot a success.
It was so nice to see everyone and to catch up the news and excitement in the family :).

6 Months Old

You're a half a year old already! People keep saying -- "Can you believe how fast time has flown by?" And I just laugh because the truth is, it's hard to remember what life was like without you in it, baby girl. You have become our whole world and I have loved spending the last six months getting to know you.
You are such a happy and beautiful little girl. Your smile can melt anyone's heart -- from those that know you best to strangers in the grocery aisle. You love to give people hugs and, unfortunately, yank on their hair to tell them how much you love them. You love to giggle with your daddy, snuggle with your mommy, and talk to us both when you wake up in the morning. Your crazy hair has even started to get long enough to lay down! You also love to get sung to; your favorite song is "Plastic Jesus" (by a bunch of different people, but we like to sing the Jack Johnson version). Nothing can distract you from what you are doing quite like our cats, and you love to stare at them and beckon them to you with your jibber jabber (which never, ever works). Everyone that sees you compliments you on your pretty hair, big blue eyes, and wide grin.
Happy (belated) six month birthday Evalee! We can't wait to watch you grow over the next six to come!

I'm a Smart Cookie

Her shirt says it (even though I didn't do a good job of getting a picture that shows it) and it's certainly true! We continue to be amazed by what she can do every day. She has really started to develop her language lately. Her most recent discovery is the "p" sound, and it never fails to make me laugh when I hear her tiny little voice say "poooo...p." She also getting better and better and commanding the pages of the books we read. I know it's a cliche, but she really is growing up so fast, and we couldnt' be more proud of her!

Sitting up all on her own

Starting around the beginning of October, Evalee really started to sit up well on her own. Well e nough, anyway, that Mom and Dad feel comfortable letting her sit and play for a while so that they can eat dinner, throw in a load of laundry, and maybe even grade a paper or two. She loves to sit and play with her puzzle, even though she's months away from being able to put the pieces back in still! She has also start traveling a bit. She will roll and roll and roll until she gets to the toy (or parent... or cat) she wants!

Goodbye Summer; Hello new clothes!

Just as summer came to a close, Evalee started slowly breaking in her new set of 6-9 months clothes. Some of the outfits are still too big for her and some of her 3-6 months clothes still fit, but we are enjoying the variety and excitement that a new stack of clothes brings :). We had a couple summery things in 6-9 months that I don't think she will get to wear very much, so we made sure to show off a favorite before the cold wind comes!

Evalee has sure been working hard and getting big and strong this last week. On Sunday she sat all by herself with no help from us or pillows for over 5 minutes playing with her puzzle. And each day she gets closer and closer to crawling. She will flip over onto her stomach and rock and push to get things, but hasn't quite moved forward yet. Tongith she even got up on her hands and knees for a moment or two, but quickly plopped back down. She has figured out that she can turn herself sideways and roll several times to get where she wants to go though, and several times this weekend she rolled across the room after some toys and kisses. We thought it could be any day that she takes off on those little knees, so we went out and got a gate for the stairs this weekend and Daddy installed it with almost no swearing. :)

Chargers Chargers GO GO GO!

Evalee went to her first parade and her first high school football game last week! I was running the parade and directing floats, so Grandma offered to push Evalee around in the stroller to keep her busy. She also took a few snapshots of the parade for us so we could post them! The senior float didn't quite turn out the way we envisioned since we couldn't find a beach ball to paper mache so it kind of looked more like Hulk was punching the world instead of a Titan helmet, and the wind had demolished a good portion of it before it ever made it to the line up, but the kids had fun so that's all the matters (and somehow we still got 2nd place! :) ) We then went to the pep rally for the coronation and Evalee enjoyed listening to the band and watching the colorguard perform (and hamming it up for the other teachers). Then Friday was the big game. We got all bundled up and headed out to watch the Chargers beat the Titans. Okay, I must confess... we watched the Chargers beat the Titans for a little while and left at halftime. It was late, I was tired, Evalee's socks wouldn't stay on, and I didn't want to fight the traffic after the game. I know, I know. My school spirit is lacking.

Card night with Grandma and Grandpa

It's been a while since I've updated -- things have been crazy busy around here with the OHS Homecoming festivities afoot last week, and unfortunately being the senior class sponsor comes with the stressful task of running the whole sha-bang. But two weekends ago, before the madness, we decided to have another round of 500 with Grandma and Grandpa (don't worry, the girls came out on top again). Every time we play (which seems to get farther and farther apart, unfortunately) Eva is dramatically different than the time before. It seems like such a short while ago we had to take breaks every 10 minutes because Evalee was crying or hungry or needed to be walked around the room etc. etc. and this time, she just chilled and let us play. That was, of course, if we gave her the 2's and 3's so she could have her own hand to herself, otherwise she wanted to hold whoever's hand was closest's cards for them. Maybe someday, little lady. Maybe someday.
PS - Please excuse the ridiculous cleavage in her pajamas. The top snap was missing - and they were right out of the package!