Girl Night

 

Braden had a scout camp out the other weekend, and he took our friend Josh with him. So that left Eve and I at home alone, as well as our friend Colleen. So we picked up their niece and had a little girl sleepover. (This is Eve watching TV)

It was just what I needed, we just got some food and went to Colleen's house to hang out and relax. We watched a movie and just "vegged". 

Ok, I couldn't resist, apparently I left a bowl at their house from weeks ago, and to remember to bring it home I put it by my purse. But looking at the size I wanted to find out if Eve fit in it :)

She fit! And she actually had fun sitting in there surprisingly.

So in the morning we put on some cartoons for the little ones, and Eve was completely entranced with Blue's Clues. She sat there and didn't make a sound, she just watched the entire show. I love the large amounts of drool just flowing out of her mouth haha.

Eve's night out with April

While Braden and I attended the "Strengthening Marriages" seminar, April was nice enough to watch Eve for us. We figured it would be the traditional evening for her, playing around, a story, eat and lights out. Not the case!

Eve had the night of her life! She got to paint her first painting, April even got some darling photos of her and a really funny video. (That will come soon) The painting is so cute, I am going to put it up in Eve's room, haha well our room until we get a bigger place.

April got her the cutest little outfit and took some cute pics of Eve out at her place. I love her cheeks in this picture!

This one just melts my heart...Maybe it's a mix of the landscape and the sunset's light hitting Eve's blonde hair, but this one just makes me so happy.

Happy Anniversary

Today is the big day, our anniversary. although we celebrated last week, today is the official day. It really crept up on me this year, feels just like yesterday that we were celebrating our last one. 2 years ago today I made the best decision of my life.
It has been so fun looking back through the wedding pictures, and all the photos I have from the proposal and the engagement etc. It brings back the fondest memories. We were really lucky this year, yesterday the stake had a "Strengthening Marriage Seminar" and they touched on some great topics. We learned so much, we learned about communication, priorities, courting, handling changes, etc. What better way to spend an anniversary?

The one that I have really been thinking a lot about was when they were discussing the stages of marriage. Stage one is the freshly married no cares in the world, just so in love stage. And stage 2 is when reality sets in, children, finances, jobs, moving etc. And although we are definitely in stage 2, I wouldn't go back for anything. Like all relationships, it's been tough at times, but the way love grows and evolves makes it all worth it.

2 years, 3 apartments, 1 baby later and I'm still elated that he's the guy I wake up to. I love you Braden!

Anniversary

Braden's big surprise for our anniversary was a little brunch cruise that circled Manhattan. It was awesome! (and yes, our real anniversary isn't for another week, but we had a day off and a babysitter, so we went a bit early this year) It was a lovely day, perfect weather with a slight breeze, not a cloud in the sky, couldn't have picked a better day. Our friend Heather that is currently staying with us for a few weeks was nice enough to watch Eve while we had a day to ourselves. The boat had all glass sides and most of the ceiling so you could see all the skyline of both NYC as well as the Jersey side.

He really picked the perfect outing, it is an extremely rare occasion that we get to go to someplace that is pretty fancy. We got to dress up, and for the first time in a long time my purse wasn't full of diapers, wipes and toys. I got to be a wife today and just focus on my husband. It's been a while since he has gotten my full attention, babies can do that haha. 

We were surprised to see how close the boat actually got to Lady Liberty, it's weird to think we have lived out here this long and this was my first time seeing her. I always imagined her to be much bigger...maybe that's what TV makes it seem like in Canada :)

All in all it was a perfect day, we went to the temple in the morning, and then got to have a fancy brunch (more like lunch time) and just enjoy the romance and scenery of the outing. It must have been all the fresh, clean Hudson air (gag), but we were both so tired after it was finished. As much as we love our dates, we were both pretty excited to get home to little Evie :) But as expected, our little social butterfly hadn't even noticed we were gone...sigh

7 months

Little Ms. Eve is 7 months old. 

-She's still extremely happy and always smiling. 

-Her bottom two teeth still haven't broken through, but the gums are nice and puffy and she's gnawing on EVERYTHING! 

-She thinks the teething tablets are little treats because they dissolve right on her tongue and they sooth her gums. 

-She's still eating her solids well, but enjoying a new array of fruits and veggies and a little cereal here and there.

-She's still taking 3 naps a day, its so great!

-Still babbling away, no real words or anything. 

-Probably almost 18 lbs (guestimate)

-Sprouting a lot of new hair, and it's white white white

-Wants to walk so badly, but makes no effort to crawl

-Loves babies, she can always spot them in a room and just wants to play with them, it's so cute

-Sitting up much more sturdily than before

-Sleeps in the craziest positions

Afternoon in Greenwich Village

Today's little adventure started with lunch at the best burger place ever...5 guys! I first had it in Utah when we lived there, and lets just say we were very excited to find out last christmas that there was one in the city. Eve never took a pacifier, but now that she is teething she really likes to chew on it. Now that she can sit up in a highchair and entertain herself (kind of) it makes eating out much much easier. Not that we do it that often, but it is nice to know that we have the option.

Next stop was Washington Square Park, we just wanted a little relaxation time and fresh air.

One of my favorite parts of NYC is the street performers and artists, they add so much character and diversity to this place, I love that no matter how often you go there, there is always someone new doing something different. This guy does art on the streets with sand only, this is just the start of his project, he was anticipating this piece getting to be almost 20 feet!

I went to go watch a group of guys doing a tap/river dance routine a little ways away, and came back to these two just goofing off, seeing these two play just melts my heart.

What a funny face she has...I couldn't resist.

This little guy was there at the park, he's 14 months old, and he's Eve's size and she's not quite 7. So either he's super small or she is massive...anyways, his dad came to get him and they were this French couple and the little boy's name is Ives, but pronounced "I-you" but translated it sounds like Eves! Craziest thing ever, of all the names...

The best way to end the day was a stop at the Popbar. It's gelato on a stick, and probably the best thing you will ever taste in your life! It also has a whole dipping station where you can dip it in anything you want. Eve liked having a taste or two of our treats, but nothing made her happier than being able to chew on the stick when we were done.

She was pretty tired out after that, so we decided to head home. She's such a trooper, she never fussed once, she just patiently waited for us to finish our afternoon so she could take her much needed nap, I love this girl!

As we were driving home we saw huge clouds of billowing smoke coming off the Hudson

It must have just happened, because behind us were a million fire trucks coming, thank goodness we were ahead of the disaster or we would have been in traffic forever! We just checked on the news when we got home, they think a big barge transporting diesel had set on fire. CRAZY! But glad to know we were some of the first to see it :)

Beach Bum

This little gal loves the beach! She gets really excited when I put her hat on, because she knows it's a beach day. (And although she's in the same suit in all the pictures they are from different days.) I am not sure if it's the fresh air, people watching, or seagull watching but she is always happy to go.

I love this picture! She spotted her first seagull right when I parked the stroller, I had the camera out because she had a big smile on her face and then it quickly switched when she spotted the birds.

Now that she can roll over, and quickly at that, it's harder to keep this little thing in the shade, so I use as many things as I can to keep her in a somewhat shaded and enclosed place, (the sand gets too hot for her little hands).

My little Gilligan!

And of course, instead of all the beach toys I brought for her, she just wanted my water bottle...that's all she played with almost the entire time.

Eve just people watching.

I love this little beach bum, she's so mellow and loves the laid back lifestyle. I am lucky to have had some days off in the past while to take her and enjoy the last bit of summer. Oh summer, I'll miss you!