My Hero!

The ONLY way to contain Evy these days is to put her in her high chair and give her some Cheerios. In fact, if I was asked the question "What is the one thing you would want with you on a deserted Island?" I would answer...Cheerios. Yep, no question about it. This is our go-to solution for baby containment. Is it bad that we do it 10 times a day (just kidding!!!)?

Home Improvement

Six years ago I painstakingly debated over brushed nickel or bronze hardware for our kitchen cabinets. I am so glad I picked the bronze, it goes beautifully with the Safety First cabinet locks. Six years ago I ordered glass coasters and inserted photos from my vacation in France. The black and white pictures went perfectly with my living room decor. This weekend, I shoved them in the back of a closet and replaced them with $5 non-breakable coasters from Target. Six years ago I searched everywhere for the perfect glossy-black paint for our coffee table. This weekend I stuck 3M tape on that perfect paint job and dressed the table up with foam caps on each corner. Funny, how your idea of home improvement changes after you bring children into the household.

Staycation Part 2

Being home 4 days in a row has given us the rare chance to just chill out. We've taken lots of walks and enjoyed some time relaxing on the lawn yesterday. Today, we hit the lake.

Staycation Part 1

We've been enjoying a 4-day staycation (vacation at home). On Saturday we went downtown Iowa City for lunch and then toured the Old Capitol Museum. Please don't tell anyone that this was my first trip inside Old Cap...I might be fired.

On Sunday we were hot on the trail of Grant Wood stopping at the Lincoln Cafe in Mt. Vernon and continuing on to Stone City (pictured). We wound our way back to Cedar Rapids where we stopped off to tour Brucemore. Animal control greated us and informed us that there was a stray pit bull lose on the grounds. That's all I had to hear...back in the car without a tour. I'll be happy to visit Brucemore on another day.

Great Jones County Fair

On Thursday night we went to the Great Jones County Fair in Monticello to see Brooks and Dunn. I was very impressed with what this small town pulls off each year and strongly suggest you all visit next summer. Prior to the concert we loaded up on Fair Food. Yummm......fresh fried potato chips for me and a pork chop sandwich for Scott, followed by a corn dog for each of us. Did I say we went to the fair for a concert? Ha! That's just my cover story for inhaling grease! Oh, the concert was pretty good too. Excuse me, I was so wrapped up in remembering the food that I forgot...Scott caught a t-shirt shot out of Kicks Brooks' t-shirt gun. I knew marrying an all-state tight end would come in handy at some point.

My Buddy

There was a yogurt melts feeding frenzy at our house last night when Miss Veda and her mommy stopped by. Who could eat the yogurt melts faster? Who could swipe one out of the other's mouth? Evy and Veda were pretty cute together. They played, took some pokes at each other and stole toys back and forth from each other. Two fiesty little girls! And, it looks like they go to the same hair stylist.

Daddy's Girl

While doing our family shopping the other night Evy and Scott went one direction and I went another. When we met back up Evy had this piano in her lap and she was happily banging out a tune on the keyboard. Then, I spotted this ball in the cart as well. One inquisitive look at Scott and I got the following response, "She likes the piano so I'm going to get it for her. And, she needs a ball." I don't think it's a coincidence that she was wearing her "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" shirt when this all went down.

Mamma Mia!

Did anyone like this movie? I just watched it for the first time on HBO. I was a big fan of the live show, but could hardly stand the movie. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan were not made for musicals...I fast forwarded through all of their solos. The two and a half star rating was very generous, in my opinion.

Wiggle Worm

Nothing too exciting going on in this video. Miss Evelyn has just received a diaper change and is showing you how she has ants in her pants.

Glorious!

Today is glorious! It's the first time in 21 days that we haven't had to be anywhere. No one has to be bathed or dressed. The car doesn't have to be packed. No food has to be prepared. No presents wrapped. No clothes ironed. It's glorious! Evy seems to like it too. She's currently 2.5 hours into a nap.

Regular Exercise

I've been trying really hard to fit regular exercise into my schedule. On Tuesday and Thursday nights I make myself workout after I get Evy to bed. Then, if I can get one workout in on the weekend I feel like I've done pretty good for the week. Last night for my exercise I walked to and from Dairy Queen. That counts, right?!

Dr.'s Appointments

Since returning to work in January I don't think I've worked an entire week. I am constantly running off to doctor's appointments. AND...I only have one child. Do those of you with 3 kids actually show up to work more than 35 hours a week? Running around to all of Evy's appointments caused me to forget about keeping up with my own health needs. I just realized I am out of contacts....eye appointment next week. The following week: Evy's follow up for her tubes. The next week....Evy's 9 month appointment. We get a week off and then the following week I have a dentist appointment. Thank goodness I missed no work for the last 8 years so I have time accrued to be gone! Just another reason I don't think full time work for both parents goes along very well with this parenthood thing.

All-Star Day

Scott is in St. Louis for work and one of his suppliers invited him to the All-Star Game tonight. Should be fun! President Obama is throwing out the first pitch. Meanwhile, I'll be engaged in my own all-star activity--attempting to entertain a maniac baby.

Giant Baby

Giant baby? Or, small wagon?

The Last One Bites the Dust

Six years ago Scott and I were the first of Scott's college friends to get hitched. Since then we've traveled to Dallas, Chicago (a few times) and Mexico to help everyone celebrate their marriages. The wedding parties are always a blast! Although the girls' dresses have gotten more conservative, the party doesn't go quite as late, and the morning after recovery really hurts because we have babies to take care of. We love all the spouses (the guys all married up) just as much as the guys and consider these couples to be some of our best friends. This weekend we married off Joe. The last bachelor standing. Congratulations Joe and Kara!

Fine Art Work

Isn't this artwork in Evy's room so cute? Our talented friend made it just for Evy! She can do custom artwork and wall murals. Need anything done for your house? Drop me a note and I'll send you her contact information. Always handy to have purchased talent on hand if you don't have any talent yourself....like me!

Get Well Soon!

Evy had her tubes put in today. We had to be at the hospital at 6 a.m. and her surgery was at 8:30. Scott and I took turns making loops around the surgical unit trying to keep the tired and hungry baby pacified. She did great as long as we were moving. Her surgery went well and we were home by 9:30. Evy seems to be in a very good mood, she has no interest in sleeping but that is no different than any other day. We're hopeful that the tubes will bring her relief. Evy's cousin Jacob sent her some get well soon balloons. So nice! Evy has had a lot of fun bopping them around!

Master of Disaster

Evy loves to stand. She would prefer that you hold her hands so she can stand up all night. If she's not pulling up on us she's pulling up on a piece of furniture, including her crib. Above, you can see her in action.

Lots-O-Laughs

"Paper in my dad's mouth is soooo funny!"

Bubba

I have lots of nicknames for Evy but the one that comes out, most often, when I address her is "Bubba." Maybe it's my rural upbringing. My mother has pointed out that I need a new nickname for Evy. She's not exactly a delicate flower, but Bubba does seem a little unsuitable for a precious baby girl.

A Bust

This weekend was pretty much a bust. Mother Nature ruined some of our plans and Miss Evelyn made it difficult to enjoy time with my family. We went to my parent's for the weekend and my brother's family came too. Evy had some of the worst days she's had in a long time. Stroller and car rides were required to initiate all naps (these tactics were used after lots of crying), she woke at 11 p.m., 1 a.m., 2 a.m., and 5:45 a.m. Friday night and Saturday night she decided to just make one appearance at 2 a.m. (she's been sleeping through the night for months). We are hoping this crankiness is a result of her ears as she's scheduled for tubes on Wednesday. We're desperately clinging to that explanation as it means relief may be in sight. This is the only photo we managed to snap all weekend. Evelyn is pictured along with her angelic cousin, Jacob.

Must Have

I'm always on the hunt for good workout gear. Who am I kidding...I'm always on the hunt for any type of shopping! Ms. Mayhem lauded her work out skirt in a post so I just had to try it. I took mine on a test walk Saturday and....love it...love it....love it!!! It's essentially spandex shorts covered by a skirt. I am a firm believer that no one should ever have to look at another human being wearing spandex shorts so this is perfect! Much more comfortable than a lot of the running shorts on the market. Mine is Adidas, but I'm sure the other brands are great too. Better go get one!