Final day of swim lessons

Evie has been taking swim lessons for the past 6 weeks, and we've discovered we have a little fishy on our hands. She absolutely loves the water and isn't afraid to splash around, go underwater, whatever. In fact, she's been a little obnoxious about her love of the water. Some of the other kids in her class may not like all her splashing! Tomorrow is the final day of lessons, but I'm pretty sure we're going to be spending a lot of time at the pool this summer ... at least until the new baby arrives! Here's a great photo of Evie with her two best girl friends in KC, Ellie and Natalie.

Happy Valentine's Day from Our GIRLS!

Our growing family has very exciting Valentine's Day plans this year. After swim lessons, Mommy is headed to a morning of pampering, thanks to Daddy's thoughtful gift (facial, massage, pedicure and manicure!) While Mommy's in Mommy heaven, Daddy and Evie are going out for a father-daughter lunch date to a local shop that serves muffins and cookies before the meal - a girl's paradise for sure! Then the entire family is going to dinner at our favorite Italian eatery, Accurso's. Perfect day!

Not to take away from the new baby's first photo shoot, but doesn't Evie look adorable in her Valentine's Day outfit. Mommy bought the tutu, Aunt Melina bought the leg warmers, Becky Herb bought the ladybug shoes and Yiayia bought the sweater! A true team effort! Thanks everyone!

I'm having a baby ...

SISTER! Yes, that's right - I'm having a baby sister! July 5 is the due date, and I can't wait to share my room, my clothes and all my toys ...

OK, Evie probably wouldn't be saying that if she had any idea what's going on here. We did have an exciting day, learning that we're having another little girl! My parents came in for the ultrasound, and we were all shocked (pleasantly so) to learn Evie will have a little sister like I do! I've always loved having a sister, and now Evie will get to experience that joy too. Let's hope they are the best friends we pray they'll be and never fight over boys! Yikes, those teen years could be scary!! Anyways, it was a wonderful day - and an exhausting one for Evie who missed her nap and was pretty much delirious in this picture. Thanks to Yiayia and Papou for helping make the day so special! Love the little sleeper with tulle at the bottom. So appropriate for our girly-girls!

Month 10 Coming to a Close ...

Evie's hair is getting so long, we can do pigtails now. Check her out! Evie may be a bit of a priss. She likes playing with her bows, brush and Mommy's make up too!

But that doesn't mean she doesn't like to get dirty. What fun playing in the pantry. I think Daddy thought we were crazy, but seriously ... if it makes her happy and lets Mommy get some work done, why not?!

And here's Evie with her BFF Ella Herb. It's fun now that they're interacting more ... even though they don't get to see each other too often since Ella lives in Denver. So sad! She will be in town though for Evie's 1st birthday! Look out -Evie could have as many as six other little girls at her "dress up" party to celebrate her big day! And that's in addition to the family parties with all the cousins. Bring on the craziness - and the cake too, of course!

Big News in the New Year

Happy New Year! You'll never believe my news - I'm going to be a big sister! Mommy and Daddy are expecting another baby (yes, they seem to be very surprised!) We'll find out next month whether I'll be having a baby brother or a baby sister, and then the baby will be here in July!

But enough about the new baby, let's talk about me! Here I am at 9 months, posing in all my naked glory for surprise photos for Daddy's Christmas present. Aren't I adorable?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Despite a nasty cold, Evie had a great Christmas, celebrating with five parties/piles of gifts in just 24 hours! Here are a few of our favorites from the nearly two weeks we spent celebrating Christmas in St. Louis, Kansas City and Nixa.

Evie received lots of wonderful presents - a Bitty Baby from her Grandma Loretta and even her own Coach purse from her Papou!

She also received lots of love, kisses and snuggles from all her family - especially Mommy and Daddy who couldn't wait to wake up with her on Christmas Morning. Evie was also very lucky to spend time with all her family in St. Louis - even though Mommy had the flu - and even her cousins from Texas who met her for the first time! She received so much attention in fact that she may be going through withdrawals. Today, she was upset when the family next to us at Panera didn't pay her any attention!

We couldn't resist adding this one in too, doesn't she look so cute? And already loving shiny jewelry! Every girl needs her frosting!

And these - Evie's first snow! These were taken earlier in December. We love the progression - thank Daddy for the snow on the face. Not Mommy's idea!!

Another first for Evie this month was snow! Check out these hiliarious before and after pictures - thank Daddy for the snow on the face!

Thanksgiving and More

It's been a while since we've posted pictures or news ... so here are several photos from Thanksgiving and the last few weeks.

Evie has a great time decorating the tree. Playing with the ornaments was her favorite! She also got a kick out of the reindeer antlers we used to force Ralph to wear:)

We also went to the Plaza lights. Evie got all dressed up for the big event in some of new Christmas clothes from her Cousin Reen. There's the Santa dress, Santa hat ... and check out the holiday Baby Legs Yiayia bought Evie - keeping her all warm and toasty outside at the Plaza lighting ceremony!

We all think Evie's going to be so much fun at her first Christmas! We'll be headed to St. Louis for five days, then spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Kansas City and then off to Nixa. It'll be a busy two weeks, but we're looking forward to all the time with family and friends. Evie's first Christmas ... we can't believe it's already here!