Snapshot: 38 weeks

Baby brother loves licky kisses

Evelyn has been interested in her baby brother since I began showing months ago. Lately, however, she has decided that when kissing my belly she needs to use her tongue. Apparently, her brother really likes "licky kisses." Evelyn also had one of her stuffed bears "nibble" on my belly because she thought it was silly. All of this nibbling and licking resulted in lots of giggling on my part because I am pretty ticklish-- much to Evie's delight.

Snapshot: New bookshelf

Evelyn's response? "Wow! Look at that!" She really wants to move some little dolls into the house. I think a certain little girl will be getting a little house and some accessories for her birthday.

Keeping in touch with family

Lately, Evelyn has become especially interested in looking through our digital family albums. She knows the names of her aunts and uncles (and her cousin) and she likes to put a face with the name. One of the photos she saw yesterday hadn't been edited and my sister's eyes looked bright red (thank you, bright camera flash on blue eyes). Evelyn pointed to the picture and exclaimed "she has really pretty eyes!"

Because we live quite far from the rest of our family, Evelyn's main source of extended family time comes to us courtesy of technology. It must be a little confusing for a toddler to switch between online videos or video chat services like Skype and a regular phone call. Evelyn constantly asks her aunts and grandparents if they can see what she is doing while we're on the phone together. I use the speakerphone function of my cellphone and hold the phone up so that Evie can talk (but not touch-- the touchscreen has a bright red "end call" square that looks awfully tempting to an almost two-year-old). Evelyn is pretty convinced that the person on the end of the call can see her. This actually makes sense, since I do take photos and videos with my cell phone. Fortunately, our family members just play along and say "oh yes! That looks like fun!"

To Dada Cum Laude

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Snapshot: Date night! (37 weeks)

We had a fabulous dinner out-- just the two of us!-- this evening. I booked reservations at a surprise location and, happily, Chris really enjoyed the surprise. It was such a treat to spend time together not just as Mama and Dada, but as two individuals with plenty of interesting things to discuss. We returned home, refreshed and relaxed, to a very happy toddler. I'd say that tonight was a great success.

A yard of one's own

It's been a little while since I've posted a house-related update. Although my beloved lilacs are no longer blooming, the roses are beginning to unfold and the rhododendrons are a sublime shade of juicy pink. We've all been spending a lot of time outside in the yard. It is so lovely to be able take Evelyn out and let her explore in the morning while she is bounding with energy and Chris and I are trying to shake off the sleepiness that comes from late nights and early mornings. Evelyn and I have also been playing outside in the late afternoons when she wakes from nap.





Evie is so utterly satisfied to collect sticks or hunt for ladybugs that I can't even think of what we would do if we hadn't purchased a house with nice outdoor space. Our lakefront apartment was wonderful when she was still an in-arms babe, but now as a toddler she absolutely loves having a yard of her own-- and bonus points that there is a small patch of woods in the back.