Memorial Day Weekend

I'm currently sitting in a Panara Bread Co in Greensboro (I was also here—in the very same seat—this morning) trying to get my laptop and my father's desktop to talk to each other via Skype. Well, actually, I'm trying to get US to talk, that is. I bought my dad a webcam for an early Father's Day gift and knew that if I wasn't the one to set it up, then I would be the one retrieving angry phone calls next month as he tries to set it up himself.
I am happy to report - it works! So, now my folks can actually "see" what Evie is doing when she exclaims "bah! bah! bah!" in the background while we are talking. The webcam cost $25 and the service is free - I highly recommend all remote families to give this a whirl.
So, if you haven't guessed it yet, we are in Greensboro visiting my family this weekend. I took Tuesday off, took out a small bank loan for gas and we decided to come out for a break during this amazing weather we are having down South. The nights are borderline chilly and the days are warm - perfect!
I'm currently posting photos on Shutterfly (my life these days consists of documenting Evie's life moment-to-moment. Maybe someday I'll actually get the chance to sit down and enjoy all these moments I missed while hastily trying to capture them for posterity).
Evie really crawled this weekend... yes, on her hands and knees! She does still use the one leg in a *scoot!scoot!scoot!* fashion on the hard floors, though. She's no dummy - its knees on carpet and butt-scooting on hardwods. I took a video, I'll post someday I am sure.
Evie also ate and thoroughly enjoyed grandma's meat sauce with penne pasta (first time). Other firsts this weekend: sucking the meat of off our rib bones (yum!), going in a very shallow inflated kiddie pool (LOVED it and whined when dragged out!), watching bubbles and trying to catch them in her mouth, feeding the ducks (she didn't care as much as mom and grandma did), and dancing with grandpa (loved it).
All-in-all, a fun weekend.
Oh, but the story doesn't really end there. We are driving Miss Daisy (my mother) back up with us... to stay for the week. Hold on to your hats kid, this could prove wonderfully smart or completely disastrous.
Evie dances with grandpa
Evie LOVES water
Mmmm, ribs!

Back-log: A and J's visit on April 5

"Will you be my uncle?"
Well, A and J came to visit well over a month ago. Apparently they have been waiting to make a post but A never sent pictures until last week. So, here they are!
Despite J's fear of changing diapers and A's reality-check if/when they ever have kids... the weekend was great. Adult time featuring fantastic wine, great food and long conversations. Oh yeah, and hangin' with Evie was good too.

Kilroy

blockheads

Evie has her dad's eyes, small mouth, feet, ears, hair that grows in a clockwise whirl in the back and his blockhead.
Everytime I see the back of her head I think of her dad.
Funny how genetics work like that.

Happy Mother's Day!

Evie handed me a very sweet card (right before nearly eating it) and she helped dad pick out a very sweet necklace (yes, I cried). I also had a lovely bouquet of purple mums, Milano cookies and was served a homemade breakfast.
Evie gave me a small coordinated dance number and dad let me take a long, hot morning shower.
Now we are off to lunch, since, the weather sucks and my outdoor picnic plans are a wee bit ruined.
Oh well. Its still turning out to be a great day.
Happy mom's day to all the mom's out there!



**Edit:
So, Mother's Day was memorable. We decided to go 'cross town to P.F. Chang's for lunch. Apparently we were not the only ones with this place in mind. After an 1.5 hr wait (we strolled around the mall), we were sat in a great spot next to the wall. Walls are great when you have a kid so you aren't in the center for all to see & you can kind of make a mess without bothering too many people. Evie was quite frustrated by the time we were sat since it was an hour past her lunch, very near her nap-time.... and she had a full diaper. I realized how full her diaper really was when, AS I was sitting down and putting her on my lap, she peed through her pants and mine. I quickly got up and we ran to the bathroom where someone was kind enough to help me open the handicapped stall door with crying baby in tow.
Evie was promptly cleaned and changed into old clothes I happened to have brought with me in case of such an emergency. I went back, wet, and we watched her eat Cheerios & bananas before her having a meltdown right as our food arrived. I had to cradle her (to calm her down a bit) while she kept putting her foot on/off my plate. She eventually settled into coo'ing and pulling on my hair.
We then went home to greet grandma/pa Ullman who had just driven in from Ohio for the weekend.
After a much needed nap, we all enjoyed dried-out pork tenderloin & overcooked brocolli courtesy of me trying to do too much in too short a time frame.
All-in-all, just as a a Mother's Day should be, right? ;-)

Evie Crawls

...and she's off!

Arts in the Park

Two hours today at the Arts in the Park event. Over 450 vendors/craftsmen/artisans (eh...) in a wonderfully cool park on a gorgeous sunny Sunday afternoon. We grabbed Subway on the way out and enjoyed a picnic with Evie before walking around a never-ending walk around all the tents. Then we breaked again under some trees (for Evie's lunch break) before heading home.
My only disappointment was that I left the camera in the car and it was a perfect day to capture Evie crawling all over us on the blanket. Oh well, many more opportunities lie in the many years ahead, right? At least we have camera phones and memory snapshots to look back on.
Today was perfect blis.

10 months old

I actually did jot down some happenings while they occured this past month. So, this entry will be formatted as a list. But, before I begin listin', I do havejust a few thoughts.
This past month has been rather monumentous with change. Namely - mobility. You aren't quite crawling or walking yet but the strides you have made to get on the verge of either, is amazing. Standing up on the coffee table has led to becoming a "risk taker" as you stretch to reach the next object and continue your path. You will now sit on the floor without crying out in frustration. You will now find a way to scoot, spin, flop or pull yourself to your destination. I have found you stradling the kitchen table leg, stuck under a chair or clawing your way up my ankles at the sink. You are becoming more bold and less cautious. And, you are also become more educated in knowing & testing your new range of limitations. One day you are hesitate and slow, the next more quick and deliberate, and by the third day... your new skill is old hat. Its incredible to watch your confidence grow. Your challenges to become more easily accomplished. Its inspiring and amazing. Its intimidating and scary. What will tomorrow be like?
You are, with each new day filled with growth and devlopment, also becoming more and more loved by dad & I. Each passing day we think you can't get any more cute or smart or fun or ... anything. And then, poof! The next day is better than the last.
I never knew how awesome it was to be a parent till you came along.

Likes: Her nose crusty - don't touch it! Cheerios. Fish sticks. Feeding herself. Grunting and squirming until you figure out what it is she NEEDS RIGHT NOW! Cheesy grins complete with breathing like a bull. Bathtime. Surprises. Peek-a-boo. Grunting when frustrated or annoyed.

Dislikes: Peaches. Anything by Earth's Best brand baby food. Any baby food that's "chunky" (finger foods are OK). A full peepee diaper (oh, wait. that's me). Face being wiped off after eating. Nose being wiped. Holding her own bottle. Cream cheese (She must have got this dislike from daddy). Sliding backwards when trying to crawl. Daddy dropping her off at the gym daycare.

Highlights this month:

• Helps take off her shirt (helps pull it off over her head).
  
• Likes to undo the velcro tabs on her diaper right when you are trying to get her pants back on.
  
• Only truly enjoys the books that feature 3D animals or bugs that help count, finger puppets or textures. Likes hands on books.
  
• Will help "turn the page!" when reading before bed... but doesn't at all pay attention to the book.
  
• Standing at the coffee table to play. Starting to learn how to sit down from the table. Starting to learn to let go of the table and grab mom or dad nearby.
  
• Starting to understand how to take steps and "walk" with mom or dad holding up your arms.
  
• Can turn around & spin while sitting on the floor.
  
• Starting to scoot across short distances with one leg acting as a rutter.
  
• Started finger foods this month: bread, pasta pieces, green beans, corn, peas, cheese, cooked carrots, fish sticks, sweet potato "fries", squash, Rice Krispie wrapped banana, Kix and, yes, baked beans (you had 2 beans - I was curious. You liked 'em!).
  
• Definitely reaching up to mom & dad to pick you up. This is a more perfected behavior now.
  
• You waved! after trying to get you to wave hello or good-bye for 2 months... a stranger waves at you with open/closed finger movements and you immediately wave back. *sigh*, so as of last weekend, you now wave!
  
• First ear infections this month.
  
• Finding tiny things on the floor and eating them - ie, string or those pesky pin oak flowers that Puck brings in the house on his tail.