First Stop: Boise

Eva and I started out our summer trip this year on the 4th of July in Boise. After 4 flights, count them, 4 flights, we miraculously made it mom-and-baby-melt-down-free to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Eva was so excited to see everyone, especially her two cousins Zacky and "Uucy". (When they left the next day Eva wandered around the house yelling, "Uucy, where are you Uucy? Zacky, where are you Zacky?" It broke my heart.)

We had a picnic, swam in the pool, ate home-made ice cream and Gouda burgers, and lit off fireworks.

Eva was a little freaked out by the fireworks. Plus it was about midnight her time and she'd been up since 4. I ended up taking her up to bed early and she slept through a night of explosions pretty soundly.

This little girl LOVES her grandma. She would go around the house yelling, "grandma, grandma, GRANDMA!!!!!" She wouldn't let grandma out of her sight. I thought it was hilarious and took advantage of the freedom. Don't know if Devin's mom was as excited about her little shadow as I was.

We had a great week. We went shopping, had picnics, played with Grandpa and Grandma Charlie, took Eva on bike rides and swam in the pool. Eva really latched onto her Grandpa and "Tatter" too and was so sad to see them leave. She did the same "Gampa, where are you?" business when he left for a hike. She started doing this thing where her eyes tear up when you're saying goodbye to her... it makes me cry every time I see her say goodbye to someone she loves. She's a real sweetie. All in all we had a great week in Boise and Devin was so very jealous that we got to go be with his family and he had to stay home and "work and pay taxes". Poor thing. But he caught up to on the next leg of the trip, Canada...

Two wittle girls...

This announcement deserves it's very own post. I had a second ultrasound and this time we got the view we wanted. (Drum roll please....) It's a little girl! I was totally shocked and still kind of am. I have another ultrasound scheduled next week and in the back of my mind still think it might be a boy. I don't know why having another little Eva running around never entered my consciousness but it really didn't. Now I've had a couple weeks to get used to the idea and I'm really excited at the way this is all working out. I think it will be so fun for Eva to have a little sister and I know what to expect with baby girls. And as an added bonus I don't have to buy any new baby stuff! (So I got a gym membership instead.) Time to start thinking pink again!

Gatta Start Somewhere...

I don't know where to start so I'll just start writing and see what comes out. So much has happened since my last post. First we went to Boise, then to Canada, then back to Richmond, then we moved, then I lived without TV and Internet for 18 days, then I had computer problems for another 5, then we had a party for Devin, then we had friends come visit... You get the point. It's been a fun-filled, busy summer. But I'm just about ready to start catching up. So I think I can officially say this blog is back in action.

Eva's Playground Photoshoot

Thanks goes to Uncle Cameron for these fantastic pics. We love them!

June...

Playing in the splash fountains at the mall...

Sliding at the new Children's Museum that opened up 5 minutes from our house...
Having pool bbq's with friends and family... (Devin's cousins Aaron, Carina and Adam)
Visiting Clemson to see friends...
Soaking up the Southern morning air...
Saying good-bye to Clemson friends once again... (Gus, Jack, Coleman and Eva)
Tour of campus...

Visiting with the twins, Sister Teresa's babies, and loving every second...

Experiencing all sorts of cuddly cuteness...

Only 2 days left in June and we're off to Boise and Canada!

Summer is in full swing

I was about to do a blogfest but I hear "Sa-wah!" coming from the back room... maybe it will stop... give it a minute... I think she's back to sleep. I might have another 20 minutes. But here's a couple stories until I can post about our recent trips and outings. First of all, I've always wondered what babies think about/dream about. We were in the same room with Eva while she was sleeping and I hear her say, "more cookies", then roll over and continue sleeping. Then she woke up about 20 minutes later and the first thing she said was "Mickey Mouse?" Cookies and Mickey Mouse, oh to have life be that simple again.

The other story I have is that yesterday was my first experience with a poop ball. I was typing at the computer and Eva dropped a little ball in my lap and said, "poop!" Yes, it was. Don't know how she got her little paws on it but I was not prepared for that little nugget of love.

A Day In The City

So Manhattan is only a 90 minute drive from Philly. The temptation was too great. We drove up in the morning, parked the car and then spent the day wandering and eating and wandering and eating. It was fabulous. And I felt fabulous. Who wouldn't feel fabulous while walking around Central Park with a bag full of French cheese? It was a perfect day and here are some pics to prove it.

Farmer's market on Broadway where we bought our $5 "designer" sunglasses.

Zaabars Deli... This place is amazing and Devin was in heaven with all the cheese he hasn't had since his mission. We stocked up for a picnic in the park.
We found the perfect spot over-looking the lake.
Bread+cheese+NYC+me= Devin's Heaven...


My favorite pizza place in the city...
Times Square...
Chelsea Square Market, home of the...
Food Network. But you wouldn't know it unless you were me.
Most amazing dessert ever. Passion fruit granita, basil syrup, pineapple confettura, candied kumquats and olive oil gelato. Sounds crazy but it is out of this world...

Side story: And I think I'll make the short story long. About two months ago I had a 6-hour flight from NYC to Vegas with Eva. I took my seat watching anxiously as all the passengers boarded wondering who would be the lucky one to sit next the mom with the hyper baby ready for bed. The plane filled up and finally down the isle walks this guy...
...but with a plastic cigarette hanging from his mouth. So he sits down and we make small talk about where he's from (Israel), his family (he has a baby at home, whew!), and what he does for a living. At that question, he turns to me with a mischievous smile and says, "I make chocolates". You don't hear that every day but I was more amused by the person sitting next to me to really think it all through. Later he tells me he's on his way to Vegas to help open a restaurant at the Forum Shops. He tells me the name which I shortly forget. Names have no place in my brain until I see them on paper. Anyway, he makes a very nice seat mate, not seeming bothered by all the squirming on my side, patient as I try to get Eva to sleep for 4 hours (unsuccessful until we land, of course). Funny note: When I'm putting Eva to bed, I'll give her a binkie and her blankie and she'll kind of pet her blankie. So she's doing this on the plane but she reaches over and starts giving this guy next to me an arm massage. I think she thought it was her blankie but he just looked over at me and started chuckling. No harm done, right? So he's walking down the isle to de-plane (we hadn't exchanged names) and I ask him the name of the restaurant. He looks around then says the name, Max something and says good-bye and heads out. The row in front of me whips around and says, "Is that Max Bren ner?" I didn't know, nor did the thought every cross my mind he could be opening one of his restaurants. "Who's Max Bren ner?" "He has this restaurant in Union Square that is really BIG in New York right now." Then they got all excited about seeing Max. So I went home and googled it and found out they were right and that I HAD to see this place. Chocolate pizza, chocolate fondue, chocolate syringes for a direct shot... this is my kind of place. And yes, the chocolate was to die for.
One more shot of the city...
Dinner at Siagon Grill, checking in to see how bed time is going back home...
Time to go home! Thanks Sara and Jon for watching Eva!