Snug as Bugs in a Rug

Matilda likes to pretend it's nap time.

Evelyn likes to be with Matilda.

They love each-other.

First Ponytail

Matilda's hair is long enough for a ponytail now... sort of.

It was adorable and she liked it!

We're still favoring barrettes for the time being.

C is for Cookie

Our girl likes oatmeal raisin cookies. Very much.

No matter how long her pal, Laddie, follows her around...

She's not inclined to share.

Boing!

Getting big

Evelyn had her 4 month check up and vaccinations yesterday. The doctor used all the right adjectives for her--healthy, alert, strong, amazing, advanced, adorable, easy-going, pretty and perfect were some of my favorites.

She is doing everything she is supposed to be doing at this age--laughing, squealing, practicing consonant sounds. She's rolling over both ways, just starting to show a modicum of balance when sitting, interested in toys, able to grab and hold objects, and has great head control. She's also just starting to work on her first tooth; it will probably be another 4-6 weeks before it gets all the way through though.

She is big and tall--16 pounds, 6 ounces (91st percentile) and 26 1/2 inches long (98th percentile). Definitely bigger than her big sister was at that age.

Evie is a happy, playful girl.

Ed received Mr. Beer from Eric and Kim for his birthday. He carefully studied the instructions and suggestions and went about sterilizing the equipment and making his first batch of beer.

Several weeks later, the beer was poured into bottles to carbonate.

Then, last weekend, it was time to test the brew.

It looks like beer. It smells like beer...

It is beer! A nice little pale ale. Not very hoppy and a bit on the sweet side, so I think it's great. The brewmaster is planning to go hoppier next time.

Tea for Two

Matilda got her first tea set the other day. It's made of felt, unbreakable, washable and adorable!

She had a fun time checking out all the parts, little cups, saucers, tea bags, and the lid even comes off the tea pot!

She shared some tea with Evelyn,
And even likes sharing it with me and Laddie.
I found it when a mommy blogger I read posted it on her site (Adventures in Babywearing) and purchased it from this Etsy shop that is just full of awwwww-worthy felt toys and foods.

4 Months

Evelyn is 4 months old now.

It doesn't seem that long ago that Matilda was 4 months old.

Evelyn can roll over both ways, is cooing, smiling, laughing, squealing and otherwise exploring with her voice. She's also starting to play with toys, and gets more adorable every day.

They sure look like sisters to me!

We visit the pediatrician on Monday, I'll update her stats then.

If she can sleep like this...

why can't she nap in her crib?

Pretend

Here's a video of Matilda playing with Evelyn, pretending that it's bedtime.

Tummy Time

Not Evelyn's favorite activity, but she's getting nice and strong, trying to roll over, and looks darn cute!

Happy Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day the girls agreed to dress up and take some pretty pictures for Mommy.

That dress might look familiar.



They also received gifts from grandma and grandpa and LOVE them (the gifts and the grandparents!)




Hope you're all feeling the love this Valentine's Day.

Play Time

Hey Matilda, do you like that book?



How about sharing it with your sister?



Oooh, she's interested!



Sure looks like you two are having fun!

Comfy?

This is how our girl likes to sleep.



We always lay her down on her back, cover her with blankets and otherwise put her down like a normal person, but every time we find her like this, on her face in the corner with no blankies.



Guess that's just how she rolls.

Happy baby

This is one happy, chunky 3 month old.




Just incase that didn't make you smile, let's get a little closer:

Wanna kiss?

"it's a sister," Matilda says while pointing at Evelyn. "Kiss?" She asks.


Clearly, Evelyn must not have heard. Matilda is waiting for an answer.



Evelyn never did respond, so no kiss for her.

I had a birthday too

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 29 for the first (and only) time. And it was a really nice day. Ed, the girls, Jim and Joanne and Kim and Eric really spoiled me with tons of nice, thoughtful gifts.

Including this sushi serving dish that Ed got for me and the extravagant sushi spread he brought home for dinner--yum!


Matilda joined us for dinner and tried her first sushi pieces--an egg cake, avocado roll and some tuna sashimi.


Evelyn watched, content to be close to the fun.


And as one last special surprise, Ed brought home this beautiful and tasty cake--it's strawberry mousse with chocolate creme brule flavored cake and it's SO girly and pretty.


Ed did a really great job making sure I enjoyed myself and felt special. After the girls went to bed we snuggled up on the couch (with a second piece of cake!) to watch LOST. It was a great day.

Curlers?

Matilda has decided that my curlers are super fun to play with. She's also figured out where I keep them. If I forget to lock the bathroom door, she heads straight in, goes for the cabinet, pulls them out and starts playing.





It's a little strange, but at least she's learning. She can now say curler, find the curlers, count the curlers, put them in the box and take them out of the box and knows they are pink, purple and green and will tell me which is what.

Comedy and Tragedy

Evelyn laughed today, a real, happy laugh in response to something (Daddy) that made her happy!



Matilda did not.

What did we do to deserve this fit? Did we burn all her toys? Did we sell the dogs? Did we get Yo Gabba Gabba banned by the FCC? No. We wiped her nose. Sadly, but unsurprisingly, this behavior is getting more common. We're in the "terrible twos" stage already.

For your birthday, I thought I'd pull together my favorite pictures of you and memories from your 33rd year. Enjoy.

Switching Matilda to her new bedtime/bath routine to prepare for Evelyn's arrival. She still LOVES evenings with Daddy, and I love how you can tell that even with all the toys and big tub, she's most interested in Daddy.


I remember back when Matilda was teething, you'd come home for lunch and be the only one who could make her smile.


I look forward to getting back to our long walks and nice lunches when the weather warms up.


Our trip to Florida with your family was so much fun, even with the morning sickness.




You taking Matilda swimming for the first time. She loved it and didn't want to get out!


Spending time together as a family.


Your big catch, lol


And this is just cool.


Taking a family vacation to Williamsburg where we finally got to lock up the Terror of Tiny Town.


Introducing Matilda to a president.


Going to South Dakota to visit your grandma--we even had fun on the drive and I'll always be glad we took that trip.


Celebrating your first daughter's first birthday in Wisconsin swimming in Lake Michigan.


Attending Eric's defense and celebrating his PhD completion


Matilda's first trip to the zoo, seeing the "Bruhs"


Cape Cod babymoon










Evelyn's birth. It was such an amazing night, and you were a great coach. It made me melt to see how proud and happy you were every day when you came to visit.








Our fun and quiet Thanksgiving


All the fun moments playing with the girls







A wonderful Christmas as a family of 4



And all the quiet moments too.


I know that I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful, devoted and loving husband, and that the girls couldn't find a better father anywhere. I look forward to all the new memories we'll make this year.

Happy birthday, we love you.