First Swim

Eva enjoyed some much anticipated pool time a couple weekends ago.  Chris searched high and low to find the perfect swimsuit, isn't it adorable?  I lathered the sunscreen on, put the swim diaper on and in we went. Eva was very melancholy and relaxed.  She enjoyed feeling the water and checking out her surroundings. She was very content.  I'm looking forward to next summer, but I think I will have to hold on a bit tighter...she will be a bit more mobile!

The next chapter is right around the corner...

So, can I say once again time flies?  Seriously, how is next week already September?  Looking back, I can't believe it has been almost a year since Chris and I found out I was pregnant.  In that time so many things have happened, but another big milestone is around the corner!  My 30th birthday! Oh gosh, am I really going to be 30?  I have always enjoyed my birthday, getting older does not really bother me.  However, turning thirty seems to be making me have mixed emotions.  I feel like at 30 I will officially be a real adult.  I know, I have been an adult for some time, but 30 makes it real!  It is crazy because it seems like I have spent many of my birthdays thinking about my future.  Things like getting my first job (I celebrated my 23rd birthday the first week of my first teaching job), getting married (I turned 27 a few months before getting married), having kids (I turned 29 right after finding out I was pregnant).  But now, in the weeks before my 30th birthday I can't help thinking about my little girl's future.  In the mere 3 1/2 months she has been part of this world she has brought such joy and enlightenment to my life.  But, I have to confess (although difficult), during my pregnancy I thought about whether I had made the right choice to become a mom.  Although I knew I loved my baby growing inside of me, I didn't have the indescribable connection many talk about having with their unborn child. I wondered if this feeling would ever come.  In the moments after childbirth I was expecting to be overcome with this feeling of a deep connection, but it wasn't there immediately.  I tried not to worry (I was still happy to meet my child).  Slowly, I began to open my heart to this new being. I stared at her beautiful eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.  I began talking to her and getting to know her.  I began to think and dream about her future. Slowly, our connection started to develop. Now, as I think about turning 30, I can only think about how right is feels to be a mom.  How right it feels to continue to see my daughter learn and grow. How right it feels to think about her future and our future as mother and daughter.  I am sadden to say goodbye to my twenties (many great things happened during this decade of my life, I'll reflect back on this later), but I am more than thrilled to say hello to my thirties.  I look forward continuing to learn and grow as a person, but I am most excited about continuing to learn and grow as a mother.

In a couple weeks I will reach that mighty ol' milestone of 30!  Wish me luck!

Engaged

 I am so happy for my sister, Melissa!  While on vacation in California, her boyfriend, Tim, popped the question.  I am excited to help her pick out her wedding dress and plan the big day she has been looking forward to.  I know she will make a beautiful bride!  Congrats Melissa!

three months

Wow, it has been 90 delightful, busy, fun-filled, days! Every parent says it and it is completely true, babies grow so fast and learn so much in such a little amount of time.  The first 30 days were a whirlwind, everything was new.  We spent the first month getting to know our new daughter.  We learned about her needs, wants, wishes and desires.  We learned she liked to be swaddled and shushed.  She liked to cuddle on her belly. The next 30 days we spent the time getting better at our parenting skills.  We were better able to predict Eva's needs and wants.  We got even better at swaddling, bath time, and knowing what Eva liked and didn't like. The past 30 days have been so enjoyable.  Eva's personality shines through more and more each day. She recognizes Chris and I and often greets us with the biggest smiles that just melt your heart.  She has gained so much more control of her head and body movements.  She is starting to move and groove (rather than just lie on the floor and stare).  She has also begun to talk a lot more.  Although her talking isn't words I feel we have great conversations.  I look forward to so much more to come!

Eva's three month milestones

• loves to roll to her side to sleep
• no longer being swaddled
• can hold her head up for a few seconds during tummy time
• while laying on her back pushes her heels down to go backwards
• loves to reach for objects (and then attempt to put them in her mouth)
• had her first sleepover with Gran
• blows raspberries
• loves to smile at funny sounds and faces (it just melts my heart)
• attempting to roll over to her belly (gets farther and farther every time)
• talking A LOT more

Marlena and Chris's three month milestones

• had their first date night (yummy ice cream and all!)
• had their first night away
• Chris took Eva on her first Daddy-Daughter date (aka they went to Costco and Dick's Sporting Goods)

Day by day

It is truly incredible how fast a baby can learn and grow.  I would say in the past week Eva has started doing many new things.  She has gone from laying on the floor kicking her legs to pushing backwards and scooting across the floor.  She is also improving her hand eye coordination and playing with the toys that hang from her play-mat.  During tummy time she is now able to hold her head up for a few seconds and works hard to roll back onto her back!  She is also talking, A LOT more.  Her sounds have gone from coos and awws to full on babbling.  Her awake time is becoming more fun, full of laughs, smiles, singing and lots of learning.

Loves being naked!  I'm free!

Date Night

This past weekend Chris and I enjoyed our first date night since Eva was born.  Although we have really enjoyed our family outings, it was extra special to get out just the two of us.  It was so nice of Uncle Tim and Aunt Melissa to come over to watch Little Miss Eva.  With a few instructions of Eva's needs Chris and I ventured out.  Our first stop was The World of Beer.  Our plan was to share a flight of beer and get an appetizer.  Well, to our surprise they do not serve food at WOB.  So, we shared a flight of their seasonal summer ales (it was very nice of Chris to share beers he knew I would enjoy considering he is more of an IPA, hoppy beer kind of man!).  Our next stop was The Kitchen Next Door Community Pub.  We enjoyed some delicious pub style food...honey siracha wings, bacon wrapped dates, cilantro lime mussels, and a meatball hoagie.  Our final stop was High Point Creamery, yum!

Earlier in the week I had stumbled upon a Groupon for their flights of ice cream.
We each ordered five different flavors of ice cream!  They ranged from the highly unique Basil Blackberry Swirl to the everyday favorites like Vanilla Bean and Chocolate.  The entire evening was pleasant, but the ice cream was definitely our favorite!