Doorknob Experiment Update

So apparently Evie has figured out how to remove the cover from her door knob, as evidenced by her appearance in our bedroom at 6:15 this morning. Sigh. Never a dull moment...

The Great Doorknob Experiment

Ever since we moved Evie to a toddler bed, we've kept a cover on the door knob inside her room to keep her from wandering and getting into something while we are sleeping (think of it as her room being a much larger crib). Well, when she turned two, we (and by we I mean Blake) had the brilliant idea to take this cover off to see what would happen.

The first couple of nights, she did fine. When she woke up at her usual time (6:30ish) she simply opened her door and came to our room. It was actually very sweet to hear her little feet slapping on the floor as she ran to our room (ran because she never walks anywhere) and her saying good morning and urgin us to get up. After a couple of days, however, she started to appear in our room earlier and earlier. First it was 5:55. Early, but acceptable. The next day it was 5:30. Definitely pushing it. When she turned up at 4:45 I'd hit my limit.

Needless to say, the cover is now back on her door knob and we are all now sleeping (quite happily) to 6:30 again!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Evie!

Evelyn turned 2 on July 31, 2010. She had a very busy birthday week. First, her Grammy Mallard came to see her from July 25-29. Grammy kept her during the day while I worked and they had a great time together, playing and going to the store for special treats. Then, from July 29 to August 1, her Aunt Kim, Uncle Steve and cousins Chloe, Ian and Jacob, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Kornegay came for a visit. We enjoyed pizza and cupcakes and Evie had a great time opening her gifts. We went to the pool everyday, which all of the kids (and adults) enjoyed. Overall, I think Evie thoroughly enjoyed turning 2!

Evie needed some help to blow out the candles...

But knew exactly what to do with the cupcake!

"I like this birthday stuff!"

Jacob and Ian attacking Uncle Blake at the pool.

Evie grinning at Mommy after running through the mushroom waterfall.

All photos courtesy of Grandpa Kornegay.

Baby Shower

On July 15, I left my sweet Evie with her dad and drove to North Carolina to attend my oldest sister Christie's baby shower. I met up with my second oldest sister Kim and her family in Georgia, and we made the rest of the trip together. The baby shower was on July 17 at The Secret Tea Room in Greensboro. The food was delish (Hello, Chai Tea! Where have you been all my life?!), the conversation was lively and Christie and her husband John were truly "showered" with gifts for their soon-to-be born baby daughter. Kim, Christie and I spent the rest of the weekend getting the nursery ready, and Kim and I gave Christie and John all the advice and tips we could think of. Now all we need is a baby!

Photo courtesy of Bill Kornegay.

July 4th Weekend 2010

We spent the 4th of July in Apollo Beach with Blake's mom and dad. It rained from the time we pulled into the driveway until the time we pulled out! We made the best of it, and managed a couple of dips in the pool when the rain let up for a few minutes. Below are some pictures of what Miss Evie got up to with her Grammy and Pops...

Grammy stocked the bottom drawer of this dresser with toys. Evie thought it would be more fun to put herself in the drawer...

Grammy and Pops decided Evie needed curls, which turned into more of a mohawk. (Still adorable though...)

Do you think she has these two wrapped around her little finger or what?!

Popsicle by the pool. Does like get any better?

A Visit with Gammy and Pops

On May 28, Blake dropped Evie off in Apollo Beach to spend a week with her Mallard grandparents (Gammy and Pops). Here are the highlights of that week from Gammy and Pops themselves:

Visit with Pops and Gammy on May 28 to June 5, 2010

Things Evie Has Learned:

To say her last name (she pronounces it Man-erd with a strong emphasis on the first syllable).

In addition to her eyes, nose, ears and mouth, she now knows where her hair, tongue and boobies are.

How to kick her feet, to splash with her arms and to jump into deep water.

How to hold her nose and dunk her head under water.

How to turn on the trash compactor.

To recognize and say gator and to do the Gator chomp.

How to kick a ball.

How to put her face in the water and blow bubbles.

How to open and close her eyes.

Our Favorite Things Evie Says:

op-an (open)

pets (her new favorite show "The Wonder Pets")

Oh, darn!

Wow!

Aw-right!

Oh, no! (emphasis on Oh)

goo-ness (goodness)

ahs-lame (airplane)

e - end (The End)

Butt-en (button)

I see you!!

Cutest Things Evie Does:

Spits

Shushes you when she's watching her favorite TV shows

The way she says "Bless You" when anyone, including herself, sneezes, coughs, burps, spits or poots.

Picked up pictures around the house and identified Mommy and Daddy. Especially cute when she kisses their picture.

In the bathtub, she shows you where her "behind" is, then she spreads her legs and points to her "bootie"!

Tells you to stay as she holds her hand up to stop you.

She tells you when to change her poopie diaper.

Pretend to go to sleep and she starts snoring.

When she sees the numbers on the pool thermometer, she starts counting her numbers.

Our Favorite Moments:

Evie and Gammy side-by-side putting on makeup together.

Pops lying on his belly to read a bedtime story to Evie when she crawls up on his back with Kitty, pulls her blanket over them and says night-night! I think she wants a sleep-over with Pops.

Evie reading the Barney book to Pops.

On Memorial Day, Gammy was doing the dishes and Evie initiated a kiss. She came up to me and said "kiss, kiss"!

We think dressing a toddler should be an Olympic event.

Tomorrow will be a sad day for us to return her, but we are looking forward to a little rest next week.

All our love,

Pops and Gammy

Celebrating Jennifer & Emory

On Saturday, June 6, 2010, my friends Susan, Ashley and I threw a baby shower for our friend and coworker Jennifer to celebrate the impending arrival of her daughter, Emory Claire. We had a great time eating, talking and watching Jen open her baby gifts.

Jen opening an adorable outfit for Emory.