Best Beach Baby EVER!

So....the beach was AWESOME to say the least. Evelyn could not have been a more perfect baby for our week up at the cottage in Long Beach. Joining us, were Ev’s Nana and Poppa, Aunt Jenn and Uncle Larry and a handful of other family friends who headed north of the border to enjoy some fun in the sun!
As the previous posts states, packing was no easy feat….we brought everything but the kitchen sink and it proved to be worth it b/c the little pumpkin was never in need of anything!
To protect our little babes from the harmful UV rays, Jay and I got the cutest little sun dome! It was her own personal cabana on the beach complete with her little vibrating bouncy seat and additional sun-blocking umbrella…only thing she needed was a rum runner and cabana boy….whoa...wait a minute there…that’s what Mommy needed…not my 3-month old pumpkin…she’s becoming a nun as far as her parents are concerned.
Each morning we woke up between 4 and 6 a.m. for our very tasty formula breakfast…while we were there for the week…the little pumpkin let us know it was time to up the feedings a notch so she moved up to 6 oz. per bottle during her little vacation (maybe she figured since everyone else seemed to be drinking in excess, she would too…lol). After breakfast we usually spent the next hour or so looking around…trying to remember where we were…focusing in on all the surrounding (this seemed to happen for Daddy every morning as well…LOL). As the morning hours passed on…Ev would get a sleepy again so it was usually time for the mid-morning nap around 10 or so....perfect timing for the rest of crowd to get their breakfast in!
After breakfast it was time to head down to the beach. Of course a lot more preparation goes into bringing a baby into an area filled with sand….much more then just throw your towel down and crack your beer! Before getting into her swimsuit Evelyn would have the much ‘enjoyed’ pleasure of getting lathered and greased up with Water Babies Sunscreen….a process which I have to say she wasn’t the biggest fan of…not b/c of the oiliness on her…but because Momma chose convenience over comfort and got the ‘scary’ aerosol spray kind….not a fan to say the least. By the end of the week, I was spraying it into my hands and then lathering her up! While Mommy and Evey were getting ready, usually Daddy would set up our spot out on the beach….starting the Cabana in the shade of a nearby tree….which we would move hourly with the sun! Then we would make sure Mommy had a towel for her and one for Ev…extra sunscreen for her and extra for Ev…a book for her and binkie for Ev…a hat to protect her little pumpkin head (Ev’s not mommy’s)…rattles and toys in case of emergency entertainment needs (Ev…not Mommy…maybe Daddy)
Now, it would only take maybe 30 minutes (if that) each day of fresh air that would knock the pumpkin out! It was both awesome and sad at the same time. Awesome b/c we got to enjoy the beach too and do ‘adult’ stuff…but sad b/c this was our time to hang with our pumpkin during the day when normally we’d be at work and her at daycare and she…not by choice, I’m sure…and we know…(whine, whine, whine)..slept pretty much the afternoons away!
After the first day I was convince there was no way she was going to sleep through the night after full day of ZZzzzzz’s, but sure enough…bedtime of 8-9 p.m. (we were on vaca...she got to stay up later sometimes!)…anyway, bedtime came and down she went without a whine or peep and back to dreamland it was! So precious and perfect…Daddy and I will have to remember this when your 16 and driving us nuts!
We hit a very important milestone in Evelyn’s life while we were on vacation too! She rolled over!!! Now, there’s a little discrepancy if she actually ‘rolled over’ because I was on the other side of the bed, and may have inadvertently helped her go from back to belly, but whatever…..as far as I’m concerned she did it! (twice too!!)
During the times that Evelyn was awake…she was an absolute joy. Smiling, laughing and discovering this whole new world around her! Everyone took turns making her laugh and giggle…although none as much as Poppa…we’ve decided she must be laughing AT him….LOL, just kidding Poppa!
The weather was picture perfect all week. We had a great time as a family! The vacation was made complete by a thunder and lightening storm our last night there...right on the water...lights flickering...loud thunderous boom's that shook the cottage slightly...Ev was so intrigued (not scared at all!) I let her stay up a little bit longer that night... well everyone else was, and probably because I knew my full nights and days with my baby were coming to an end….
Friday morning came and we packed up the car and headed back to the states (makes it sound like we’re coming from so far away). When we got home, Evelyn recognized her room as soon as we walked in…the colors, the ‘baby’ smells, the stickers of animals on the walls...and smiles and coo’s ensued…followed by (of course) a nap!
What a great vacation it was! Can’t wait for our next one…6 weeks from now...a "Staycation" at the casa with the pumpkin!!!
BEACH PICTURES COMING VERY SOON!!!

Diva Beach Baby

So...we are getting ready to spend a week up at Long Beach, Canada at Ev's Great Grandpa's Cottage. Heading up with the family and some friends! Little Miss Evelyn is such a diva, I swear!She insists on bringing every outfit she owns b/c she just HAS to have several wardrobe changes to ensure she is the center of 'ohhing' and 'awwing' all week!

It's so hard to pack for the little bebe!! We need onesies - both short and long sleeve, socks in case the feeties get cold, pants incase her tiny little legs get cold, jammies and of course her little bathing suit (Used to be her cousin Brianna's, which oddly enough I bought for Bri-Bri when she was just a little pumpkin herself). Then we need hats, sunscreen, a tent, her boppy, play mats, bouncers, bottles, formula, liners and of course she demanded that Mommy bring her laptop so we can watch the Golden Girls and Finding Nemo while we are there....I tell ya, I would put my foot down, but she's just too cute to say no too..... lol :) Besides I'd rather be over packed, then not have something she may need and/or want! And, let us not forget the approx 200 diapers that are comin with us....just in case!

Pics from the beach to come when we get back!! My baby is taking her first international trip!!

First shots :(

This morning was very difficult for both Ev and I...it was her big 2 month check-up (little late..she actually 3 months now..) Happy to report she is a healthy 11lbs. 11 oz. and 24" long...she is the 75th percentile for her length and the 50th percentile for her weight! The doctor said she is right on schedule! Evelyn was all smiles and coo's while Dr. Amy bent her every which way till Tuesday....and then it was the time...Dr. Amy left (weird how they don't want to be the ones to inflict the pain) and the nurse came in with a tray full of (according to my mommy eyes) needles the size of turkey basters!! Of course, I had to hold Evelyn's tiny hands...she was getting fussy b/c it was time to eat so I had to physically hold her down...she got one shot in her right leg and two in left and oh boy....she was not a fan. The first stick brought on the most heartbreaking face...followed by absolute screams of pain...her face turned so red it looked purple!! Of course, I broke down in tears....the whole thing was over in less then a minute but it felt like 2 freakin' years to get it all done with. Afterwards, we cried together for a minute and when we both calmed down she had her bottle and by the time I had her back in her car seat to leave the doctor's office she was the smiley pumpkin again. We will see how she is for the rest of tonight and the next few days.......Daddy and I will be giving her some extra cuddles and kisses tonight for sure though :)

Tummy Time!!

We did it! We finally had a successful, enjoyable and 95% tear free tummy-time experience. The trick was to prop her up on her boppy pillow! She was a little whiny throughout, but she was looking all over the place while holding her head high (and letting out little whines here and there...lol)

After about 2 minutes, the pumpkin had enough and the bottom lip came out, the eyes started to squint and she let mommy know she had enough!!

But now we do our boppy tummy time each night, and each night she gets a little better and indulges her mommy and daddy - who of course, have their own chins planted to the rug making funny faces and noises at her!.

'i swimmin'

Little Evelyn had her first dip in the pool last week!! My sister, brother-in-law, their babies (Brianna, 2, and AJ 4 weeks)mom, and Ev and I all ventured to the wading at Kohler Pool. Ev wasn't the biggest fan to say the least....if you can tell by the terror/cry face she's got going on in her picture! Perhaps this was because she was half asleep when i decided to dip her into the icy waters of the baby pool.....who knows...lol. She calmed down after a minute and was fixated on watching the other swimmers and staring off into the world. She's so content just watching things...it's amazing...I only can imagine what she was thinking..(probably, Mom get me the h*ll out of this cold water!)