Summer '09

Its been quite some time since we posted last - lots of growing, running, smiling, squeeling mixed with some crying and sleeping here and there.  We've tried to hit the lake as much as possible and she's a little fish.  More and more fun everyday....

posing

primping

swimming

resting

She's 1!

We haven't posted since Christmas but felt it was required to post for E's first birthday.  We almost cancelled at the last minute because the Smith family was sick but we pulled through and she had a great day.  She's definitely a little priss-pot - she touched the icing on the cupbake and freaked out that it stuck to her finger.  But, believe me, she didn't mind once she got a taste of it.  She did spread it all over the high chair tray but managed to keep herself pretty clean (that's Daddy's good proper girl).

MeMe and David came to celebrate and she even shared her cupcake with MeMe (look closely).
GrandMa and GrandDaddy also came to celebrate and E was all smiles (except in this picture she was too concerned about her cupcake I think!).

Christmas 2008

Evelyn's biggest surprise to all of us came from her MeMe (James' mom).  In true Kentucky tradition, Evelyn is now the proud owner of a nearly-full-sized stuffed horse.  You can read her expression on her face from.....

"I'm a little freaked out right now......"

to "I'm going to point at it to tell it who's boss....."

to "YEEE-HAAA, giddy up little horsey!"

(be sure to notice the wardrobe change, no true cowgirl would ever be without her one-piece denim jumper and, yes, pink ostrich-skinned boots --- and MeMe says she doesn't like pink, whatever!)

Lots of great gifts were given to E - more than any 9 month old could play with.  Thanks to Grandma and Grandaddy Haman too for all her fun toys she's sure to enjoy.

Blog slackin'

Unbelievable its been two months since we've posted.  We even got flack from James' mom about it - that's saying something since she's not a computer person.

Let's see....Evelyn is a little piggy - loves her some homemade food such 

as peas, pears (her fav), millet, barley, plums, lamb, turkey, asparagus (can you believe that?), broccoli, cauliflower.  I can't think of anything she's turned away yet.  

The most exciting news is that she is crawling now.  We love seeing her move around the house and she loves doing it.   She can also pull herself up to standing in her crib and on our dresser.  She also has four teeth, two up and two down, all very widely spaced - a la Sponge Bob.  A few fun pictures for your enjoyment!

A week of firsts

As we said, she's starting some people food.  She loves her high chair (thanks Periagos!), was okay with brown rice (gagged a couple of times) and loves the peas.  Here she is eating her first official bite of people 

food (we won't count the bit of sweet potato Danielle snuck in last week).

E's also had her very first tub bath since her new found ability to sit up (but not without mommy to catch her if needed).  The faucet sort of freaked her out but she loved splashing and playing with her toys.  

Our beautiful girl - 6 months old

We have to give credit to Dede Holman at Dede Holman Photography for the above picture.  She has a tremendous talent for capturing some beautiful expressions.  Visit her at:

www.dedeholmanphotography.com

E turns 6 months old tomorrow (Friday the 5th) and we're ready to start some big girl food.  Danielle was actually dancing around the kitchen singing a made-up song about solid food in her excitement while making it up.  And no, we've not turned into hippies but we (read Danielle) are making her food from scratch.  The high chair is ready and the dogs are excited.  This week's food d'jour: brown rice.  Next week: sweet peas.  We'll keep you updated. 

Sitting up

They sure grow fast - only 5 1/2 months and she's sitting up almost totally without help. Amazing....and here's proof:



And on video:

Evelyn: 0-5 months

July update

Cara and Jay, she's finally able to fit into this.  Thanks for her first haute couture!  

Striking a pose:

These tennis shoes were gifts from Erin & Rob - she acted liked she wanted to dance in them.  They're a little big right now but super cute!

She's really liking the jumparoo too, especially when the dogs come around.

Don't cry for us Indianapolis...the truth is we are finally leaving you

Adios! Sayonara! Auf Wiedersehen! Au revoir! See ya!

It's official, Danielle has finished her residency program (she's now officially a pediatric dentist) we're finally out of Indianapolis. No offense to those that call Indy home (particularly all those at Riley Hospital that Danielle speaks so highly of) - but we just like our city better! Its been a long two years and we're looking forward to normal life that doesn't include burning up the asphalt on I-65, $600+ per month on gas and one that allows us time to hang out with our family and friends more. Louisville (actually Crestwood) we're back!

Pool Time?

The apartment complex in Indy has a pool and we thought it'd be fun to see what Evelyn would think.

Its cold!

"Keep me in the shade please.  And where's my palm frond?"

Our Current Fav

Aunt Stephie took this candid shot the other day - what a cutie!

Just 'cause she's a cutie!

Anybody seen my dentures?  And what's this thing on my head?

Baby Bunny!

Indy - Final Days

We're happy to announce that we officially no longer own a home in Indianapolis.  And as most know, we're not moving to Colorado but to Oldham County - about the same, right?  But until we close on our new house and Danielle finishes her residency, we are now in an apartment. Only 5 weeks until we're back in Louisville (Crestwood) for good and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!   And, since the sale of his office (whew!), James is now Mr. Mommy and having fun hanging out with E (except for poop blow-outs).  June's a very busy month for us but we'll keep this updated during nap times.

You looking at me Mr. Octopus?

I LOVE my octopus!

2 months and all smiles (mostly)

We've had some requests for a new post and to those who look, I apologize for the delay.

Little E has made some amazing changes in the last month. The most fun is that she turns her head toward our voices and is very easy to provoke a smile. At about 6 weeks is was like her eyes "turned on" and she could see so much better. She loves her play mat and insists on being entertained when not sleeping, eating or pooping. And speaking of dirty diapers, if its the least bit wet or dirty, she screams bloody murder until its changed. Guess I can't blame her for not wanting a wet booty, though. She's becoming very good at letting us know what she likes and particularly what she doesn't like - our little princess. Some cute pics:

"Sherm, get outta my face!"

Happy Morning - around 6:30 if I recall.....

"I'm a big girl...and I ain't talkin' about my cheeks"

"Oh daddy, I'm so happy you bought me that 80G iPod!"

One Month Old

Over the last 4 weeks we've really seen some big changes come on. Evelyn has started to be much more alert and interactive (i.e. turning to look when she hears Danielle or I talking). She's also learning to be manipulative - just tonight she was screaming bloody murder in the crib and stopped the instant I picked her up and stared into my eyes as if to say "why do you want to leave me in here alone - don't you love me daddy". They wrap you up early apparently.

She's also overcome her lack of weight gain - she's become a little piglet and has topped 9 lbs which makes us very happy of course. We finally had some professional pictures taken the other day which have turned out very well.

If you can't tell - we're smitten.

3 weeks and counting....

We've finally started to get pretty used to our new routine and are trying to get some control back into our lives.  Last week was my first week back after delivery which took some real adjustment for all of us.  I think we ate out almost every night.  We're eating at home most meals now (thanks to some great friends bringing some awesome meals) and are doing things other than watch Evelyn sleep, eat and poop.  Danielle's even trying to start studying for her board exam.

As I write this tonight, Little E is loudly protesting going to bed - some serious good lungs.  All in all though, she's a pretty happy baby and we're having fun watching her become more alert. I think she's particularly cute after her 7AM feeding - really rested, calm and sweet - my kind of "Daddy-time".    

The following picture pretty accurately shows her size - she's not as big as the previous ones make her out to be - its just those cheeks.  She's definitely the prettiest baby we've ever seen!

We're home - but what day is it?

Evelyn was finally released from the hospital in Indianapolis on Friday the 7th around 5 pm. We had been warned of a snow storm hitting Louisville starting Friday night with predictions of up to 14 inches. We decided that we'd rather just go for it rather than get snowed out of Louisville for a couple of days (since 95% of the baby's stuff was there). So, I loaded up all our stuff (including the dogs) beforehand and we set out straight from the hospital. The weather predictions were correct for once and it took us nearly 5 hours to travel the 125 miles - not getting us home until around 10! In the 48 hours previous we had about 5 hours of sleep so we literally crashed when we made it. Evelyn didn't even know what was happening and slept the whole way - meaning she was up several times during the night. We've just gotten ourselves somewhat together but have a lot of adjustments to make for the lack of sleep. For all you parents, we can now relate to the euphoria you feel when you get more than an hour of consecutive sleep. We think it might be Monday now.....

A few pictures of our beautiful baby if for nothing more than bragging!

Momma's baby.

It's all very serious you know.

I'm bored, let's eat. Open wide!

See you later.

SHE'S HERE!

Finally no more waiting - Evelyn Martine Smith joined us at 4:08P on March 5th. She weighed 7 lbs 15 ozs and is 20.5 inches long. A few of our favorites for your enjoyment ;)

New Family

Happy Momma

Still waiting......

As of 11:35A EST, no baby. We've decided the thing about the moon is a myth. Had an Ob appt on Monday and he was impressed with how far she's progressed in a week. While he feels comfortable inducing as early as Monday, he's betting she won't make it. If Danielle keeps up her jumping jacks, squats and lunges, it may be earlier than later (you think she's ready to deliver?). We can definitely tell the baby's lined up for the downhill slide - all we can really feel now are her feet/legs/butt near Danielle's ribs.