my favorite thing

Lately Evelyn has been making me laugh. A lot. My favorite part is when I laugh at what she's doing, and it makes her laugh. So then we're in this giggling cycle where I laugh which makes her laugh, etc. I LOVE it. I can't get enough of her little giggles. She makes my world go round.

p.s. Is my Evie Lou not the most precious girl you've ever seen?

My sanity

My poor Evie Lou has been sick the last couple of days. Which means that she has required extra cuddles, kisses, walks, and rocking to make her comfortable, and I am more than happy to oblige. Yesterday she cried all day long because she just didn't feel well and no matter what I did it wasn't enough. Yesterday also happened to be the day that Dan didn't get home until 8:30 because he had an emergency come in at the clinic, which means that I was taking care of Evie all by myself all day long while she was MAD at the world. Because of all of that extra holding and walking, when I woke up this morning I felt like a semi had run me over during the night while I slept. A huge semi that was carrying train wheels or something super heavy. I could pin point to you on my back the EXACT vertebrae that is fractured because it feels swollen and like there are 3 of them. Hopefully that goes away soon. I definitely did too much yesterday, but I didn't really have a choice in the matter. I would do anything for that little girl, even brake my back, if it means it will make her a little happier. Also, I don't know if this is an over share, my precious baby girl had TWO disgusting diapers in a row yesterday. It made my eyes water it was so bad. Poor sick girl. I wonder what it would be like to have all of your needs taken care of by someone else at all times, especially when you're sick. I imagine it would be pretty awesome. In fact, that is what I am asking for for my birthday next year. A day where someone takes care of all my needs all day long. That would be fabulous. Yesterday I let Evie fall asleep in her swing, comfort nurse, sleep on my chest, and numerous other things that I always say "no" to under normal circumstances, but when your baby cries all day long you will do ANYTHING to get her to sleep. You know?

Evelyn is almost 6 months old! What!? How did that happen? She loves her baby einstein video and laughs and smiles through the whole thing, she LOVES her baths and thinks it's the funniest thing in the world when she splashes us, and she loves to cuddle and watch TV with me. I think I'm accidentally on purpose indoctrinating her to love 30 Rock and Gilmore Girls. Whatevs. We can't all be perfect parents.

So this post was a bit random, but I needed to get some stuff out for my own sanity (hence, the title) because I haven't left the house in a couple days and I'm in quite a bit of pain. Just know that Evie is just as cute as ever, if not more so, and I think she is starting to feel a little better (fingers crossed).

p.s. I have a rash/hives on my face. What? I bought some new face wash and apparently my face hates it. So glamorous, this life I lead. 

To the man who...

• always calls during his lunch time to see how we are and has done this since we started dating
• is always willing to go out of his way to make me or Evie more comfortable
• runs out to get ice cream or snacks without complaint
• went shopping with me on Saturday because I wanted to and I still have no friends
• And didn't complain once the whole time
• went to a priesthood meeting last night and while there wrote me a beautiful letter
• Which he left on the couch for me to find this morning. It details how much he loves and appreciates me
• does more than his share of housework and diaper changes
• sometimes gets up in the middle of the night with me and Evie because I have to get up. Solidarity. 
• never complains and is always optimistic
• loves us with his whole heart
• has the best work ethic I have ever seen
• always makes me laugh (and sometimes snort)
• is always ready with a hug and encouraging words when I need it most*

To the man who is my eternal companion and my very best friend, you make me feel worthwhile. Thank you. 

* I was feeling pretty discouraged last night and then this morning I found a letter he wrote to me last night before he got home, lying on the couch. Part of which said, "I don't think you realize who you are. You are a very talented, intelligent, and capable person... I don't know why you seem to doubt yourself but you're an amazing woman and I've seen you do amazing things in these past two years."

big surprise, I need help again

Dear friends,

Evie will go down for naps just fine, but she won't stay asleep. She wakes up grumpy and tired but won't go back to sleep. She's down to 3 naps a day, but should we go down to 2? She gets so fussy before nap time, so I don't know what else to do but put her down for a nap. If she's tired, why won't she stay asleep? Any suggestions?

Holy mess

That title is actually deceiving. There is nothing holy about this mess. And believe me when I tell you that my house IS A MESS, but I don't feel well and my baby is only 5 months old, so I think I deserve some leeway when it comes to being messy. 

I am so tired, guys. So tired.

I ordered pizza for dinner. Sorry, honey, but this wife ain't cookin' tonight. 

I can't wait until Friday because Dan promised to take me back to this Japanese place that we found last week.

BEST FOOD EVER

Seriously, everything there was divine and I couldn't be more excited. 

We're going to buy Dan some crab traps and fishing gear and he is going to do some crabbing. 

Nice. 

So tired....

Pictures and Confessions

Made grilled salmon for dinner the other night and thought it was pretty, so I took a picture.

Army strong!

•  My back hurts a lot today, so I let Evie fall asleep in her swing
• Sometimes I accidentally nurse her to sleep, but I still let her.
• I often let her watch TV with me when I'm too tired to do anything else
• I have no idea what I'm doing being a parent. Can you tell?

She loves the sea lion we bought her at the aquarium

• We still only have one car, so I haven't left the house since Monday. I may go insane. 
• Because of said insanity, I cut my own hair today. I gave myself bangs. Hopefully it doesn't look too hideous.
•  I make banana bread almost every week and more often than not, Dan doesn't get any.

Do you still want to be my friend?

10 things

1. I FINALLY got Evie down for a nap and decided that I would go take a nice long shower. So, I was in my bathroom about to get IN the shower when I see him. The cockroach. Oh my gosh, EW! I thought at first he was dead and I was a little grossed out but I was going to take a shower anyway. And then he moved. So I sprayed him with hairspray and hit him with Dan's boot 3 times and the sucker wouldn't die! I screamed, shut the door, and took a shower in the guest bathroom. I figure we don't really need that bathroom anyway, right? His name is Ted and I've relinquished my bathroom to him.
2. I love obnoxious pop songs. The more obnoxious the song, the more I like it. Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, Justin Bieber, Hanson, etc. Judge me if you want, but have you ever tried to clean your house to anything OTHER than a pop song? It's not nearly as fun. Plus, Dan hates it, which makes it that much more fun. 
3. I also love movies. Good, bad, and in between. 
4. Our lawn out front is, I swear, a foot long. We still haven't bought a lawn mower, so I'm waiting for the neighborhood committee to come to our door with pitchforks. 
5. My house never feels clean enough. Baby stuff everywhere
6. Teething is the worst ever
7. Today is the first day in a month that I have been home alone taking care of Evie. So far so good. I just have to remember to relax a bit after doing things and try not to do too much. 
8. I have to remind myself daily that Evelyn is worth not being able to fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes. And, she absolutely is, but who doesn't want to improve themselves?
9. Dan took me on a date on Friday to a cinema cafe where we ate mediocre food and watched Cowboys and Aliens, which was pretty mediocre as well. We had a blast heckling to each other and swing dancing in the parking lot. I love that boy.
10. Dan watches terribly girly movies with me on a regular basis. He absolutely hates it, but he loves me so he does it anyway. Is he perfect or what?

Is this not the cutest picture you've ever seen?

Grandma and Evie at the beach

She was fine with the water as long as she couldn't see the waves coming at her

We took a bus tour of the Norfolk Naval Base on Friday

Seriously impressive. The one on the left was made from the metal from the Twin Towers

 

The start of football season. Go BYU and K-STATE!!

teething

I'm pretty positive that Evie has started teething already. She seems pretty miserable. Any ideas from you mommies out there?
I've tried those teething rings that you freeze and she hates the cold. It's actually pretty funny to put it in her mouth. Ever seen a baby with a lemon? It's like that.

What worked for you?