Love Grows baby shower

On March 17 I had the privilege of helping to throw a baby shower for my sister-in-law Katie and her dude, Sahil.  Since it was in the spring I thought a "Love Grows" baby shower would be the best theme, given how many beautiful flowers would be in bloom.  From there I had fun finding greenery garlands, straws that look like birch trees, and seed growing kits for favors.  Katie's friend Jen made a beautiful centerpiece out of washcloth flowers, and we did a vegetarian spread with lots of fresh veggies.  Mix in lots of good friends, and it was an awesome day!

Easter 2018

So, I have a lot of holiday posts to catch up on.  I will do my best in the next couple of days to upload pictures of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but while it's fresh in my mind I figured I would document Easter.

My parents and brother came to visit for a long weekend, which was awesome.  We got to enjoy the holiday at our church AND spend time with family!  Willa loved seeing her grandparents, and we loved being able to send her downstairs in the morning to spend time with the only other morning person in the family (thanks, Papa!).  At one point, Willa reflected, "Papa is such a nice guy, I just love him so much!"  Makes my heart so happy <3.

Admittedly, I went a little overboard in the basket department.  I have been accumulating things for a while, and I think I just forgot about all the things I had gotten.  So even the bigger basket I bought was a little overstuffed!  But she took the time to appreciate every little thing.  My parents also got her a science kit and a Paw Patrol Leapstart book for our smart girl.  She was thrilled.

Evie spent the day as she spends most days, smiling and waving at everyone with those blue eyes and that dimple!  She was very popular indeed.  Willa helped her open her basket; she was very excited to share the holiday with her baby sister.

Willa was great at the egg hunt, and just like last year she got a decent number of eggs, then declared, "I have plenty!"  I was very proud that she can moderate herself :).

Here are some pictures from the day.  I especially like Evie as a sad bunny, complete with nose bubble!

Here are the videos of the (failed) follow the string activity to lead Willa to her basket, and Willa helping Evie to open her basket.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Carter Mountain

This past weekend we went to Charlottesville to visit some friends, and of course we had to hit up my favorite place to spend time in the Fall, Carter Mountain apple orchard.  Willa has been here a couple of times, but it was Evie's first visit.  We picked up some tasty apples and got the requisite pumpkin patch photo shoot.  As you will see, Willa was more enthused about it than Evie was, haha!

It was pretty muddy out, so Willa wanted to ride on Daddy's shoulders

Got it!

My little cheeser

Evie was NOT excited by the fall fun

And why do I have to sit in the dirt among these vegetables?

A silly Harry Potter photo shoot

I was cruising Pinterest, like I do, and I happened upon a bunch of Harry Potter newborn pictures.  So of course, if you know me you know what happened next.  Yup, Harry Potter Evie photo shoot.

Behold!

Some hospital pictures

I finally got around to digging through the many pictures we took at the hospital when Evie was born.  Enjoy!

I snapped these next couple when my parents were in town.  So sweet!

Evie's two month update

There's our little ray of sunshine!!  She had her two month appointment this morning, and she is perfect.  12 pounds, 24 inches of love.  This means she is growing well and in the upper quartile for both!  She was pretty cooperative until the shots, when her screams rang out louder and sadder than I have ever heard.  It was the moment she realized that pain is a thing, and it broke my heart.  She zonked out not long after and spent the rest of the day sleeping it off, my sweet precious one.  It was extra hard to drop her off at the sitter today!

Let me just tell you, she is the best baby ever.  She already sleeps from 11:30-6:30 at night, eats like a champ, makes great eye contact, and has the most killer smile.  She loves to watch her sister be silly and could snuggle all day if you let her.  I would have eight more if they didn't cost anything to raise and were guaranteed to be just like her!