Invasion

The hummingbirds have been crazy at our house. We have consistently had 4-6 birds at our feeder, and more than once we have counted a total of 12 birds jockeying for some of our hummingbird nectar. Maybe this will give you a better idea of the invasion we're speaking about: The birds have emptied our feeder TWICE in THREE DAYS. Seriously, folks, how big can these birds stomachs be?

Here's some more pictures of Evelyn. She loves talking on the phone. When it's the play phone, the conversation will usually go something like this:
"Hi Nana" (or Granny or Ty or whoever she's thinking about right now...)
"Howya Doin' Nana" (Said like a New Yorker -- I have no idea where this came from)
"Bye Nana, seeyoulater"

When it's the real phone she is likely to either a) clam up or b) scream her ABCs.



Evelyn's a big fan of her Sunglasses; however, she hasn't quite figured out that they go OVER her ears.

Another fun game goes like this: She picks up any toy animal (usually a giraffe) and it goes around "eating" things. I have been eaten many times, as has Kimberly.

One final note. What makes you feel old? It's different for everyone. For some it's a landmark birthday (30?). For others it's looking at the next generation (realizing that current college freshmen have likely never used a rotary phone or a walkman). For me, it was a sunny day last month when I sunburnt the top of my head for the first time...

21 Months

Evelyn was 21 months yesterday...Here she is in her favorite pair of pajamas, a hand me down from her cousin Ty.

The following pictures came from the Adamson House, a historical house in Malibu that overlooks surfrider beach. The grounds and gardens are beautiful, a perfect place for Brian to play with his new camera.

Relaxin'

Brian has done some traveling in the last few weeks, and we are so glad to have him home. Evelyn now especially requests that she do this or that with Daddy, not Mommy. I smile when she requests that Daddy, not Mommy, take her to the potty. Brian used to get Evelyn to request that Mommy, not Daddy, change her dirty diaper. The pillow Evelyn claimed in the picture says "Granddaughters are forever." Evelyn calls it Daddy's pillow, for reasons she has not disclosed.

She is so much fun...as always. She will be 21 months in a few days. Her potty training is going really well and she just wears a diaper to sleep in now - hopefully not for much longer. She likes to be read to on her potty chair and sometimes gets upset when she is finished and she has to leave after only reading the ballerina or Babar book 3 or 4 times.

One of our favorite past times is now watching the hummingbird feeder on the porch. It is quite popular with the small birds now and with the most beautiful orioles. The birds often fight over it, and Evelyn will say "Share, hummingbirds!" Our tomato and zucchini plants are starting to produce! They are not ripe yet - but hopefully soon. No news on the cucumber, but Brian says I have neglected them shamefully - and this is true. We'll see.

She often bursts into song now - those of you who grew up with me will not be surprised. Her favorites: "Twinkle twinkle," "Abcd...," "Away in a Manger," and "Fairest Lord Jesus." Life is really a musical!

Parade

Evelyn has enjoyed parading - whether at home or the big parade on the 4th. The first segment is our version of the "Big Kid Parade," which you may recall from the award winning film "Go Potty Go." We do this often. The second segment is from a more formal parade on the 4th. She took it very seriously - you'll note at the end she had passed all of her comrades who were more leisurely in their approach.

Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday was our 9th anniversary - it has been a wonderful 9 years! It was great day. To celebrate we went out to lunch - the three of us - to a fun retro diner on the end of Malibu Pier. Evelyn loved watching the surfers out of the window. We had a baby sitter come that afternoon so we could see an afternoon matinee (Harry Potter of course!) at the local Malibu movie theater. So, how do people in Malibu watch movies, you might ask? In leather, reclining seats...at the premium matinee price of $12.50 per ticket ($15.00 for an evening show). We did not see anyone famous there, though...

But - at that price - you know why this is the first movie we've seen in a theater since we moved to California!

Any Dress I Choose

"Dressing"
A poem by Romney Gay

I can button buttons,
I can lace shoes,
And -
Sometimes I am allowed to wear
Any dress I choose.

Here is Evelyn's "dress" of choice on this particular day. Dora panties, a t-shirt, lace socks and black shiny shoes.


Here is Evelyn practicing being a big sister last week when we watched one of our friends from church.

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes, thoughts and prayers! We are having a baby! We have seen the heart beat and the doctor says everything looks good. We are due February 7, 2010. Evelyn is excited to be a big sister and can tell you proudly that the baby is in my tummy. She has requested a baby boy AND a baby girl, but the doctor says she will only get one of those...

The shirt says it all!

Happy 4th!

Evelyn participated in her first parade today! The Pepperdine families that live on campus gathered this morning for a kids parade - bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers - any transport available. Before the parade, the Declaration of Independence was read and then the kids set off to the tune of Stars and Stripes Forever. Evelyn also enjoyed her first popsicle after the parade!


Henri was there too...Evelyn walked with him to visit the firetruck that was there for the occasion.

Evelyn took her role in the parade very seriously. We had thought we might have to coax her to keep walking, but she was very determined and walked very quickly around the parking lot, pushing her baby in the stroller. When the other children stopped, she kept going - saying "More parade! More parade!"

A family portrait

Practicing for the parade on the porch - and yes - her baby doll does have a matching dress!