Wednesday, October 24, 2012

{Evelyn} 3 years old

I realized today I didn't do an "about Evelyn" post for her 3rd birthday! I've been trying to keep track a list in my head but we'll see how much I can remember....

Let's see...well Evelyn is still very much...Evelyn! :) She's loud, crazy, funny, a bit dramatic...well more than a bit :)...she's such a smarty pants and remembers things SO well! I'm amazed at what she remembers sometimes. Like, we'll be talking about something we've seen before and she'll remember colors and places and things I don't always remember...like next to her gymnastics place is a dance studio and there's a ballet outfit in the window and it's partly green and she was telling me later about the green dress and I couldn't even remember what color it was :) She's a super observant girl! It's funny though...anything that happened in the past, whether it be yesterday or 2 months ago is "yesterday" to her...and then anything in the future..tomorrow or a month or a week is "3 weeks". Don't know why she says that but it's funny :)

She loves to color still, loves puzzles and is getting so good at them, she loves to ride her bike and we've been going on lots of bike rides. She loves to read and loves look and find books. We go to story time at Barnes and Noble almost every week which is fun. They have little songs they sing, then they read a couple books, and then have a color/activity page to go along with one of the books.  She loves Minnie and Daisy right now and pink and purple. She also loves Doc McStuffins, a cute little doctor cartoon on Disney. She got a doctor play kit with some of her birthday money and has been loving that. I made her a doctor coat last night out of a white button up shirt but this morning wasn't too happy with it...she wanted the one she saw at the store. We'll see if she likes it after nap :)

As of lately she hasn't been taking many naps....I started having her just do quiet time-reading books in her home or playing quiet games in her room- but most of the time she still falls asleep so I know she still kinda needs naps but 90% of the time she has been waking up SO cranky and SO inconsolably whiny that I stopped making her take them. So for now it's quiet time/sometimes naps :)

Almost everyday she wants to "go to someone's house", which we only really go to Gwyn's and sometimes our neighbor so I know she just wants to go play with the kids. Unfortunately two of her friends go to Kindergarten now and can't play as much anymore so I'm super glad she started her 2 day a week preschool. It's funny though cuz she'll beg and ask to go play allllll daaay long and as soon as we get our kids she kinda retreats. At the park she'd rather play on the swing by herself or she'll just kinda play quietly. At gymnastics she listens really well and does what she's supposed to, which is good, but then doesn't interact with the other kiddos much. The other day they were all waiting in line, taking turns on the trampoline, and she sat in line like a good girl but kept letting the other kids in front of her cuz she wouldn't move up. Then for preschool I ask her who she played with and she keeps saying she plays by herself...don't know if she really does or not but anyway...silly little thing. I guess she's fine though! She plays really well with her friend Veronika and her other friends, although her friend Maddie is a little older and tends to "mess" with Evelyn...like they'll be playing outside and Maddie will start to ignore or run away from Evelyn, which Evelyn doesn't quite understand and gets upset. So anyway...there's Evelyn's social sum up :) I'm hoping preschool will help her out with out to interact with other kids she doesn't know so well. She still won't tell me much about preschool though. I'll ask her questions and she'll be like, I don't know, I don't remember. Whatever you don't! :)

Let's see...what else...I'm having a hard time right now...I tried to take a nap but it just made me sleepier so the two kiddos are sleeping and I'm trying to get out of my tired slump and remember what I wanted to write :) Anyway....Evelyn's a very good helper...she loves to help me bake or with dinner. She's very helpful with me and Andrew. Today he was on his play mat and was starting to fuss so she came over and was like, "the baby is crying. I gave him three kisses on the head but they didn't help so you need to get him now." So cute! :) She does love her baby brother which I love seeing. She definitely is a daddy's girl though and adores her daddy :) They have lots of fun together and I love seeing that as well. Every day she wakes up, comes in my room and asks, where's daddy? :) I'm so glad/grateful she has such a wonderful dad. She is learning though that she does not get 100% of his time anymore, with Andrew and all, which is good though.

well I'm actually stumped right now of what else to say...I'm gonna take a break and finish later... ;)

and I'm back! a few days later... :) whoops. I got busy and then forgot to finish but now I'm finishing. I've written a few things down though that I wanted to put in here....

I know I've said this before but she's still doing it....she insists on being called Evelyn still. She just does not want to be called anything else or any nicknames or anything! Lately she's been telling us that we're the "best mommy/daddy" in the whole world (I know, super cute :), and I'll reply that she's the best Evelyn in the whole world and she's like, no. I'm just Evelyn. Then when Grammy was here for Andrew's birth, Evelyn got called lots of little nicknames cuz that's what Grammy does for pretty much all the grand-kiddos...and Evelyn was kind of ok with it but still didn't love it. Even after Grammy left, I'd call Evelyn something or say something and she'd be like, Grammy calls me that. SO apparently Grammy can call her nicknames but I can't. Silly silly little thing...

Despite Evelyn's observant nature, she's surprisingly ditzy/clutzy. It's kinda funny though. She'll just be walking along but can't keep herself concentrated on the task and instead gets to talking or distracted by something else and tends to not watch where she's going and 90% of the time runs into something. And this happens alll the time, every day. She's always running to me to tell me she has an owie cuz she's run into something again...it's pretty crazy.

She is getting more interested in music and will sing songs she knows more often than she did before. She calls everything a girl...any animal she sees or if you refer to anything/any object/etc as a male she always corrects you and says its a girl. All her toys are girls too. She's liking dancing more too but will only dance to "girl" music, so if a boy song comes on she asks me to change it. :) She calls any restaurant a "dinner house" and wants to go to the "dinner house" all the time. She loves movies/tv shows and her favs are "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse", "Doc McStuffins", "Strawberry Shortcake", "My Little Pony", and right now the movie of the week is "Monsters, Inc.". She still loves princesses too and is starting to like Tinker Bell as well. Yesterday she wanted to go visit "Pixie Hollow" to see the fairies and I was like, what? She's never even watched Tinker Bell but knows she lives in Pixie Hollow...she does have a read along book/cd so I guess she picked it up there. When she plays princesses she has Mark be the prince, more specifically now- Prince Charming. :) She does not like dogs and is scared of any we come across. She won't go into her best friend Maddie's house until she knows the dogs are put up (they are pretty jumpy/excitable).

Right now she's being a difficult eater...she's not necessarily picky....she just doesn't eat much. She's doing excellent with going on the potty and hardly has any accidents anymore, although she did have one the other night in her bed. But that's pretty rare now, thank goodness! So glad potty training is over! She's going through that girl stage of only wanting to wear dresses, which is getting a bit old....sometimes I can get her to wear a different outfit for the beginning of the day but once we are home/not doing anything she goes and changes. She's a pretty independent little thing, which partly is the age/stage she's in. She gets dressed by herself most of the time, puts her shoes on, goes potty by herself, she used to buckle herself in the car but then we got a different car seat and she hasn't learned to buckle the real seat belt yet. She can open the car door though! She helps me a lot and loves to help me bake/cook.

Soooo....I think that's all I can ramble on about Evelyn! She's an amazing, wonderful, funny, amazing, crazy little thing and I love her! :) Here's some pics of my beautiful girl!

Playing doctor!

Playing doctor again...this time with her dr. coat I made her. She didn't like it at first but is liking it a little better now :)

Puzzle time! She got some harder ones for her birthday that we're starting to work on cuz she's got this one down pretty good.

It was hat day at school this week so she decided to wear her cowgirl hat and outfit :)

waking up to my two babies! She's so funny though...she won't make a peep at all anymore when she wakes up...instead she comes and sits outside my door til I open it...silly thing :)

helping me paint for my current project! :)

one day she opened the door by herself and I was like, how'd you do that? this is how she does it :)

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

{Andrew} 2 months old!

Today my little Andrew is 2 months old! I can't believe how quick that went. He is getting so big (his appt is next week so I'm not quite sure how much he weighs or anything) and is so sweet and adorable! He's still super smiley and is starting to "talk" more...cooing and making adorable cute baby noises. I love it! Babies are just too cute. So here's a bit more about Andrew...

He's still a good eater...I think it's funny when he knows he's about to eat or just finished, he gets a cute, happy little smile on his face...he loves to eat! :)

He still loves to be outside and with this nice beautiful fall weather lately we've been taking walks and enjoying it!

He's starting to like music more now which is cute.

He LOVES his big sister! and loves big kids in general. He's very content watching them when they're around. :)

He still loves to be talked to and like I said earlier, is "talking" back. He's also laughing more which is so adorable! I love getting him to laugh.

He's gotten 200% wigglier and kicks and wiggles and moves all around and loves to lay out on his play mat and "play". He especially likes to look at the mirror in the middle of it. He loves the baby in it :)

With his wiggliness we've been having to swaddle him a lot more to keep him asleep...luckily he's ok with being swaddled now!

He's doing really good with sleeping...still has been a bit fussy at the beginning of the night but we've gotten a lot better at calming him down and getting over it. he still only wakes up 2 times a night..well kinda wakes up...he fusses around, eats, goes back to sleep and wa-la! perfect :) So we're both sleeping good :)

He's a pretty strong little guy :) He's been pretty good at holding his head up since pretty much the beginning and does super well now ;) especially with tummy time!

He does not like the car much...he gets the most pitiful, desperate little cry and gets SO worked up and is all sweaty and red when I finally get him out...it's so sad!

He does not like having a dirty diaper and gets so happy when he's changed.

He does like bath time although he's getting pretty big for the little tub I got!

He loves being carried around in the back pack carrier thing I have. That thing has been great btw! I use it all the time---for walks, at the store, sometimes around the house when I'm trying to get stuff done.


He's still got lots of dark hair but it's starting to get shorter in the back :( I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into a bald spot!

He likes his swing more now, which is nice. I was making fun of it awhile ago though and said it should have a vacuum sound instead of a trickling water fall but it turns out that is his favorite sound! whatever works though I guess! :)

Well....I think that's all I can think of right now...2 month olds aren't exactly the most exciting little things but he's getting more exciting every day! :) He is just so ubber sweet and cuddly and wonderful and I am loving being this adorable little boy's mommy! :)


My little chunka-monk! :)


Super adorable little face!!! 
My strong boy! :)

tummy time :)

Me and my boy! :)

Sleeping on his daddy! 

2 months old! 

Silly faces :)




Evelyn's Birthday Questionnaire!

On Evelyn's third birthday we did the "birthday questionnaire" thing and recorded it. Of course I can't post videos but here's the type out! :)

How old are you? 3
What makes you happy? didn't answer this one
What is your favorite animal? Lion
What is your favorite thing to eat? Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwhich
What is your favorite treat? Ice cream
What do you think about before you fall asleep? books (she usually reads one before going to sleep)
What is your favorite thing to do? Play
What is your favorite TV show? Dr. Show (Doc McStuffins)
What are you really good at? This! (she did some funny little thing with her foot)
What is your favorite color? Pink and purple
What is your favorite song? Twinkle, twinkle little star
Who is your best friend? Maddie
What do you and your mom do together? Go to the store
What do you and your dad do together? Stay home
What is your favorite book? New Lion book
What do you want to be when you grow up? Princess
What makes you sad? Crying
What do you love to learn about? ABC's
What was the best part of your birthday? New bike!
What was your favorite birthday present? Bike

So that's Evelyn's it! :) I'm gonna try to do the same list every year and see how it changes!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Nothing is as precious or brings home so much love, as a brand new baby sent from above.

The last thing we did this weekend was Andrew's Baby Blessing! I was so glad Mark's family could make it this weekend so we could celebrate Evelyn's birthday and the baby blessing. It was so great! Andrew looked SO ADORABLE in his blessing outfit...I found it online and couldn't help but get it! The little Navy/sailor suit was just perfect! It, as you can see in the pics, is white with light blue stitching and little anchors on the buttons, CUTENESS :) I love it. Anyway...here's some pics we took after we got home from church/the blessing! (Which went very well of course....our good friends the Korpi's even came for the beginning of the meeting to see the blessing which was very great of them! :)


These kids are just TOO cute...don't know how I did it but adorable! :)

Almost all the Erwin grandkids! Unfortunately Jessica and Charlotte couldn't come :( 

The two Erwin boys! This pic is just too cute! 

Our first family pic! I can't believe I haven't had any of all four of us yet....

Love! :)

Uncle Michael and the kiddos!

And the boy of the hour! He is just SO sweet and SO cute! I wish you all could see him in person :)

Silly girls! It's funny though...I've though this many times and Mark said it this weekend...but Evelyn reminds me of Isabella in random little things she does, little phrases/actions...it's cute though! 

Grandparents with the kiddos!

And there you have it! Our fun filled family weekend :)

"On your birthday stretch for a sunbeam... Reach for a star... Go for a beautiful dream... Pick out some wishes, no matter how far, or how hard to reach they may seem... Cherish some hopes that are dear to your heart... And as a new year comes in view, treasure and keep them and know from the start that this year you can make them come true!"

This weekend was a fun one and went by so quick! Mark's dad came up on Friday, we went out to dinner, and Saturday got ready for Evelyn's party. Mark's mom, brother, and Isabella and Jacob came up right on time for the party. We had our friends the Korpi's and friends/neighbors the Easley's and friend Morgan over too and had a really fun day!

Evelyn and Grandpa Erwin at the restaurant...it was by the water and Evelyn really enjoyed sitting on the deck watching for animals. Yummy food too!
Evelyn and her best friend Maddie and Kenzie!

The adults watched over the kiddos/helped them/visited and the kids played and did a couple little projects I had for them.....one being cute little bows I made with ribbon to go with the party theme...Minnie! The bows were for Minnie's Bow-tique, which if you didn't know is a short little cartoon on Disney Channel where Minnie has a bow shop. Pretty cute so I thought these bows (bowties for the boys :) would be fun and easy to do for the party! The kids used little "jewels" and puff paint to decorate them. I also had mini pumpkins for them to decorate as well...not very much with the "Minnie theme" but hey! It's fall and it's fun :)


Minnie's "Bow-tique!" :)

Minnie rice krispie thank you treat ;) 

cute banner! 

Closer up....

Bow time!



We, of course, had cake and ice cream, which I pulled out the flower pan I had for Evelyn's first birthday and used it again here...I made the invitation and the birthday banner using flower shapes so the cake was perfect to match. :) I made the same chocolate cake as I did for Mark's but it wasn't as FANTASTIC as it was the first time...although I think it was mainly because we ate Mark's the same day we made it and Evelyn's I made the day before and refrigerated all night/day til the party so it was colder and that changed it up a bit. It was still delicious though!

yummy :)




And then, of course, we had presents! Evelyn was very excited for all her presents and got a good bit of Minnie stuff to play with. She had lots of fun playing with her new toys this weekend with her cousins who stayed til Sunday afternoon...super short visit :( but I'm so glad they got to come even for the short time! Evelyn loved it!

yay presents!

I love how the other kids always seem to inch closer and closer throughout present-opening-time...seems to happen every time!


thank you hugs!

cousins!

cousins again :) 

"There is nothing quite like a fall day. The cool crisp air, pumpkins in the fields, and playing in the leaves. The smile on your face can warm a chilly day."

Well it is officially feeling like fall here! The past few days have been nice and cool and fall-y! It's been so nice! With the fall comes my little Evelyn's birthday! This Monday she turned 3, crazy, I know! I can't believe she's 3 already...part of me feels like it's been FOREVER and then part of me is like, only 3? she seems so much older most of the time and I get so many people asking if she's older and now I can finally say she's 3! :) She's been wanting it to be her birthday for MONTHs and it's finally here! Anyway....here's part one of her birthday!

This weekend was Columbus Day so Mark had a long weekend (yay!), which was so nice to celebrate her birthday! We watched General Conference on Saturday and Sunday and had two pretty, chill, laid back days. Then on Monday, Evelyn's actual birthday we celebrated! We had gymnastics first thing that morning, which Mark got to see for the first time. Evelyn is so adorable! I took my nice camera so I could get some good pics.

She's so cute at gymnastics class! 



Andrew watching the kids on the trampoline, he loves watching big kids!  

After gymnastics we took her to lunch and then to Target to get her birthday present...a new bike! We were going to go somewhere fun but all the choices we had chosen to do were closed! We were gonna save the bike for Saturday at her party but since all our plans fell through we decided to do the bike then :) Anyway, she loves it! It is a bit for her but with the seat all the way down she fits pretty good. The 12" was way too small so we had to go with the 16" (she's so tall!).

First time riding her new bike! Don't worry though, we do have a helmet and knee/elbow pads for her :)

We were gonna go to the pumpkin patch but realized the day before that it was closed so we happened upon a pumpkin lot after gymnastics and got some pumpkins for her party and one to carve. We carved Evelyn's pumpkin that day...Daisy Duck! I thought she'd pick Minnie, which she did originally but changed her mind. I think I did pretty good though!






On Tuesday Evelyn had her first day of preschool! She's been begging to go to school for MONTHS as well and was so excited! It's only 1/2 day, T/TH but it's a nice break for the both of us :) After we picked her up though (the teachers said she was very good and a very good listener!), we asked her what she did/how it went and she wouldn't tell us! She said, I'll tell you later, after lunch....and then she put it off after that...it was so funny! Still don't know what she did.... :)

my little poser! :)

I can't believe she's preschool age now! She's getting so big!
Outside her school ready to go! :)


After preschool we went to a place called Mike's Farm...which is a farm ;) We went on a hayride to their pumpkin patch, picked out pumpkins, walked around the farm a little bit....it was fun! Super cute little farm...
ready to get some pumpkins!
I snapped this on the hayride over to the pumpkins...she's so cute!!!!


He slept like the whole time, he loves being in this back-pack-carrier thing!

at the pumpkin patch!


checking out the animals! This was a huuuge turkey!

 Another thing we did last week was Boo our neighbors! Well we got boo'd first but this is what we did for our pick. I got some mason jars, put tissue strips on them with mod podge and put pumpkin faces on them and filled them with candy, got a piece of wood and made the Boo sign and then with the Christmas lights I added little strips of white tulle and added googly eyes to make ghosts....pretty cute idea I thought! Then I added a couple fun things for the little girl of the fam and some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and wa-la! it was fun :)
what we got from our boo'ers :)



And there's part 1 of birthday week! :)