Sock Monkeys and One Year Olds

About a month ago, Eva turned one and we had a great, sock-monkey themed birthday for her. For those of you who know Drew, we knew from the moment that Eva was born that her 1st birthday would include some sort of monkey theme. I have been waiting to post her birthday blog until I got all of the pics from those at the party. I was running all over the place and didn't take any of my own! 


It was so much fun planning the party, making the decorations and the invites and the cake. It was a little overwhelming preparing for my daughter's one year birthday when it seems like she was just born. She has changed so much in the last year...as have our entire lives. Every day she changes...she is walking a little more balanced, pointing out more body parts (so far she knows belly button, head, foot and nose-we are working on bum). She is eating pretty much all grown up food now, loves to swim and go on walks with the pugs. She has come so far...it is really amazing to see her little curious face continue to learn everyday. And I have learned, because of her, just what it means to love completely and unconditionally. Who knew your heart could have so much room in it? 


Ok...enough sappiness...here are some pics from the party! Thank you to all of those that attended (especially Aunty Jen Rogers who flew all the way here from AZ just for the party)! It was so special to have friends and family here to share her special day! 

The Sock Monkey cake that I made. 

The present and cake table before everyone arrives and spoiled our kid rotten!!

The Sock Monkey banner with all of Eva's pics from the past year. 

Can't really see it, but Gramma made Eva a very special "Monkey" birthday dress complete with bloomers! 

Jelly bean favors. 

Momma and her baby on the special day. 

Love this pic...after wardrobe change for playing in the pool. 

Playing with all of the kids. 

Colleen and her munckins. 

Getting ready to cute the cake. 

It was right about here, after Eva rubbed chocolate cake in her eyes that we decided it was time to clean her up. 

Kristen and Carter...Carter's birthday party was the very next day! Love having these two so close in age! 

Playing with her new toy from Aunty Michelle

Bored...

It has been FOREVER since I have blogged. Our good friend Jonathan advised me today that I have been slacking. Which is very true...and when you have an almost 1 year old...things are ever-changing. It isn't like there isn't anything going on that I blog about!

But this is not going to be a "catch you up on everything that has been going on in our lives in the past month+" blog, because...I am lazy. I have a list of things to blog about and my plan is to sit down this weekend while Eva is napping and get it done!!!

This blog, however, is being written because I am a little bit bored. Drew is on a business trip to Philly, it is the first time he has ever been away from Eva!!! He certainly misses her and I know she misses her Daddy!
She is in bed right now, which means that me and the pugs are hanging out. In the last 2 nights, I have watched the Bachelorette, So You Think You Can Dance and my fair share of House Hunters and the Food Network.  But I am over TV...I want my man back so we can hang out together!!! Thankfully he gets home tomorrow, albeit after my bedtime, but whatever!! Safe travels Drew! See you soon!

Playing at the mall...

This weekend, we had planned to take Eva to the pool again. Unfortunately she was really feeling up to that with her ear infections and all...so we went to the mall instead. Love Cherry Creek mall!! They have the best play area for kids. Eva loves staring at all of the kids and had a really great time!

Daycare

We are so lucky that my mom watches Eva everyday while we are working. But, Eva is getting to the age where it will be good for her to be around other kids. So we decided that she should go to daycare twice a week. Also gives my mom a little bit of a break! 5 days in a row with that kiddo is a lot! 


So last Thursday, Eva went to "Shell's Little Nuts"...an in home daycare. This is a pic of Eva the morning of her first day of "school."

Happy enough for now, little did she know what was going to happen!!!

And this is a picture from today...she had a trip Urgent Care for a high fever, nasty cough and 2 ear infections. I know they say kids get sick all the time when they go to daycare...but geez, is it possible that she is ALREADY sick??? Poor baby!!

I swear she is sick here! Can't tell from that big smile! 

For those of you curious, the first 2 days of daycare were pretty rough on all of us, Eva, Drew, myself and even, or especially, Gramma! It looks like she was probably getting sick before she went there, so I don't think that helped her get used to the place any. We will see how it goes when this Thursday rolls around...hopefully she is feeling a little better by then!! 

Eva's Dedication

So I have decided not to apologize anymore for not blogging on a consistent basis. Things have been so hectic around here and I just have not been good about getting to it. Would like to promise to be better, but we will see!

Over Memorial day weekend we decided to do a welcoming/dedication for Eva. Neither Drew or I claim to be very religious, but we wanted to do something special to welcome Eva to our family. We were lucky enough to have Drew's dad and sister drive out from California and my sister, brother in law and nephew fly out from South Carolina. Together with our family and close friends, we officially dedicated ourselves to Eva and welcomed her to this world (even though she is already 10 months old!!!)

Our ceremony included Irish blessings, Native American traditions and readings, Buddhist letters, child stories, letters from family, poems from friends. Of course, it also included a lot of crying from Eva. I guess this kind of thing happens at baptisms all the time, but sheesh! She just didn't want to cooperate. Nonetheless, it was a special day and we thank all those involved.

We took every opportunity to make the most of having our family out here over the weekend! We visited Idaho Springs and went Beau Jos pizza, we had several BBQs, we went to Boulder for the Memorial Day festival, we all had Sunday brunch together, we celebrated Sam's 2nd birthday and we took Sam and Eva to the pool...first time for Eva! It was definitely a whirlwind of a weekend, but so wonderful. We miss our family daily, wish they were closer but cherish the time we do get to spend with them!

Drew and I starting the dedication...everything is ok at this point

Gramma reading her blessing

Grandpa Carl reading his letter...tears involved here. 

Grandpa Ron and his speech

Eva, Sam and Carter playing afterwards.

Everyone! 

The Wimers!

The Hargroves'

Aunty Vern

Aunty Jen

Vern and myself at brunch

Gramma, Grandpa and Uncle Andrew leaving brunch. 

Eva and Sam at the pool

Eva loves the pool!! 

And the fountains in the pool. 

Kurt (Veronica's bf) and Drew-toasting corn dogs at the Memorial day fair

Everyone at brunch. 

The view from brunch at Simms Steakhouse

Sam opening his gifts at his b'day party. 

Our present to Sam! 

In Boulder...taking a break.