Happy V-day!

I have found it difficult to keep up with my blog lately because Evie is growing and changing so fast. Life has been so hectic and busy that the small stuff gets put to the side but it is still important. I have taken less pictures of Evie lately because I find it difficult to stop playing and take the picture. I have written less about her accomplishments because I am usually feeding, bathing, creating new ways of amusing a 7.5 month old, and hugging/kissing her as much as possible. I also have to find time to cook, clean, spend quality time with my wonderful hubby, finish home and craft projects, exercise and have a life of my own. I have always been amazed at how Mom's do it all but I am even more amazed now that I am expected to do it too. Please don't read this the wrong way - I am not complaining- I love being this busy, especially since I sit at a desk 8 hours a day, drooling on myself. I love planning out our days, getting them organized, and then accomplishing all that is on my list. I will admit that I do lose my patience when things don't go my way and that is why I married Brian- he steps in, makes me take a deep breath, and relax. He either helps me get things done or helps me realize it wasn't that important to begin with. Brian is an amazing person and an even more amazing father. He gets on the floor to play with Evie, dresses her up in cute little outfits, changes her diaper when I think it is too gross, puts up with my crazy parenting ideas, and does all this while working at a job he doesn't care for, taking care of house that hasn't lived up to our expectations and sharing me with our daughter (a huge change in any married couple's life). I am a lucky woman and couldn't ask for a better life (I could use a few more hours in the day to spend with my family). Thank you Brian and Evie for making me so happy and for loving me so much!

Pics

Chowderfest

We have had a very busy week- attempting to finish our gym in the basement, chowder fest on Saturday and Superbowl on Sunday. Evie spent all day with Grandma Mary, while Brian and I spent the day at Chowderfest in Saratoga with Samantha and Michael (Brian's sister and brother-in-law) and we all had a GREAT time. It was so nice to get out of the house and do something fun (yet cheap) with other adults!! We went to several restaurants and critiqued their chowder while partaking in some fabulous drinks- I, of course, was DD so I had one drink when we first got there and then stopped, which was a very good decision because the weather was terrible for the drive home. It began to snow around 2 and it was absolutely gorgeous- the flakes were so big and fluffy- it just added to the wonderful atmosphere. By the time I was driving us home it was sleeting/freezing rain and it took 3 hours plus several stops for supplies but we finally arrived safe and sound at Grandma's house. We hunkered down, drank some wine, played with the kids and had an amazingly, cozy night:) Evie was adorable and is completely in love with her two older cousins, Braeden 4 & Bryson 2, and found their antics hysterical. Braeden kept bouncing around in front of her and making funny noises and Evie belly laughed every time and attempted to bounce with him. Her laugh is the best sound ever. Last night we dropped her off with Oma and Opa - she will be spending two nights there, which is killing me!! I couldn't sleep last night because I couldn't hear the regular noises coming from her room. Oma called me last night to tell me Evie has started Clapping - that she loves patty cake. I am excited that my baby is learning more but I really wish she would save all of her firsts for Brian and I.