Evelyn and I have been keeping busy due to some changes happening around here. First of all, David started a new job...not at home. Its taken some adjusting because that means he isn't around to help. Its also been a good change because for some odd reason I get more done!

The other change is that uncle Jeremiah, auntie Molly and cousin Sophie are going to stay with us for a little while! They are relocating here and we couldn't be happier to help them out while they find jobs and housing! The girls had become quite attached over their last visit, and now they'll be sharing a room for a little while! Evelyn loves having other babies around to entertain her too.

Anyhow, here are some pictures of the past couple days!

Evelyn and I visited daddy at his new office! (yesterday)

She also helped me do some laundry to prepare for our guests next week! (today)

It's totally true! I just didn't know how true until I had one of my own. It's completely amazing. Especially when they hit the 3 month mark. All of a sudden things don't fit, and if they do fit you quickly wash them so they can wear it one last time before you have to store it in the garage for the next sweet girl. Then you do a mental recap in your mind of all your pictures to make sure you have at least one of her in that outfit. And if you don't you squeeze her into it one more time to make sure you have an image of it for all time. Especially if it was a favorite, someone special got it for her or there is some sweet memory associated with it! It's sad because although your other children may get to wear it...she will never wear it again! Seriously...never!

Ok...and if that weren't enough of a reminder that your little baby is growing up...then comes the teething and along with that comes the cries of pain, a runny nose and so on. Then once you get that "under control" an hour later (ok maybe I'm exaggerating but that's how it feels) she starts rolling over, giggling, playing, clinging, scooting, grabbing, splashing in her bath, singing and talking baby talk...all within a couple weeks! At least that was my experience with my little (can I still call her that?) baby Evie. It was quite a roller coaster. A fun roller coaster because watching her go through all those milestones is absolutely wonderful! Yet, at the same time...sad. Because she will never be that helpless newborn again.

I've never felt so many emotions. Extreme happiness that she rolled over on her own, giggled for the first time, or when holding my hand comforts her. Then sadness when I picture how fast my nieces and nephews have grown, and I think this time next year she will be how big? I look back and in a sense it seems as if it were just yesterday that my nephew, Jack, was born let alone giggled for the first time and took his first steps! So I'm sad because I'm faced with the fact that she won't stay my sweet little baby forever. I'm also completely sobered by these thoughts and reminded that she isn't mine at all...she is totally and completely God's. Yet I am so blessed to be chosen by Him to be her mommy and to care for her, and to teach her the way that she should go.

It's really like any other spiritual aspect in life. We all fail miserably. We all make it about us. That's exactly what I was doing. What I, after the miscarriages swore I would never do. Thank God for His gracious teaching that we can't do it without Him.  When I have these highs and lows it is a great opportunity to turn my focus off myself and to be reminded of our Savior, and the real need in Evelyn's life (the real need in my life)...that she would come to know and serve Him! My heart is renewed with the true purpose of my being Evelyn's mommy. Yes it is to care for her needs, to comfort her, to hold her when she cries, to laugh with her, play with her, cry with her, etc... but most importantly to do it with the purpose (yes even now) of pointing her to Christ! What a glorious purpose that is. I am so thankful yet so humbled that He chose me for this challenging and wonderful task. My ministry in life is her daddy and her...to prepare her for the life God has for her no matter how sad it may make me at times. I turn to Him who is both mine and Evelyn's Heavenly Father. I wish it to never be about me, rather always about Christ. However, I know my frailty and weakness to bow to myself. So may I constantly be reminded of my need for Him. May I constantly confess my weaknesses to Him, and watch Him transform not only my heart, but the heart of my precious baby girl. What a unique and amazing way to see Christ so clearly!

When my mind is refreshed, I love watching Evelyn go through these milestones because it reminds me that some day soon I will be able to tell her of the Savior of the earth...the Savior of her soul! So on that note enjoy some pictures and video of our growing punkin!

Evelyn sucks her fingers for comfort, and she can sometimes (with mommy's help) hold her own bottle.

She enjoys tummy time and playing with her toes now.

She also enjoys her toys and rolling over (even in her sleep...she doesn't get swaddled anymore).

Ev has been growing so incredibly fast. Almost over night she started laughing, rolling over, playing with toys, and clinging to mommy and daddy for dear life. She enjoys her tummy time and rolling around, but I thought she might enjoy some "bigger" baby toys. So I finally broke down and spent some of our gift cards on some "big baby" toys, and she likes them. Among the toys I purchased for her was the Rainforest Jumparoo...she seems to enjoy all that they come out with so I thought I'd give it I try.  I tested her in it at the store, and she loved it!  So... mommy bought it! Daddy keeps reminding me that we aren't going to buy everything she "likes", but it's just so hard not to when she looks up with a big grin on her face :-)

Although I get David's point...this purchase happened to be a keeper...take a look for yourself! She has so much fun in it, AND I can get a few things done around the house while she bounces around in her jumparoo!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday, and thanks to geni.com I was reminded at the beginning of the week. This has allowed me to think about and pray for her this week. There were many things God reminded me of when I thought about "Gramma G" (as we call her now). She is a faithful woman, and a godly example of what I strive to become. I thanked God for her several times this week, and thought of how my life in Christ is part of the outcome of her many prayers for David and his "future" family.  Prayers she said from the day he was born...and her continued prayers for us now.

We serve a great and wonderful God, and He should get great glory for His work in this wonderful woman today. Thank you Jesus, and thank you Gwen! We love you so much. We wish we could be there, but hope to see you soon.

Love,
Elisha and Eviekins

We have had a blessed but busy summer, and you'll never guess who has blogged about it! Click here to find out :-)

To Catalina with GG Phyllis, Great Grampa Jerry, Aunt Tutti, GG Carol, and Gramma Terri.  The next day daddy took a boat, and the day after that Auntie Jamie, Uncle Matt, Jack and Katie all joined us for the day. It was Evelyn's first ever boat trip, and she did really well! She seemed to like the waves...although she didn't like the wind, so we stayed inside.

No one got sea sick...that's always a plus :-)

Evelyn is always adorable, she had a lot of fun with all her GGs and her aunties! We also made our daily stops to the candy shop. As you can tell Great Grampa Jerry was happy about that!

Thank you GG Jerry and GG Phyllis (they've also adopted the term "GG") for inviting us on such a fun adventure. We've so enjoyed making memories with you in Catalina the past two years! You're the best!

Stay tuned for more pictures...David gave me instructions to post them in phases...

Since her first week of life, Evelyn has been putting weight on her legs. Around week 5 she really liked, and even wanted to do it. At week 7 she thought she'd try her hand at walking. To her dismay she found out she didn't have the proper weight proportions or balance, but with mommy's help she can pretend! Although, Evelyn loves to do it, mommy doesn't...it makes me sad to watch her grow up so fast...She pretty much skipped her newborn stage. I tell her to stop trying to be so big and to try being a baby for a little while. I mean gee-whiz these weeks fly by too quickly as it is...do we really need to add walking this early?!

Well, as much as it makes me sad...it is entertaining, so here's a video for your enjoyment!  We love this munchkin so much! She keeps us on our toes.

This is really big! We're getting a Babies 'R' Us!!!!! YAY! It's going to be across the way from Walmart. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that I won't have to drive so far to get to one anymore.

I can't believe it! We have so much to be thankful for. Thank you God, thank you Megan...Evelyn is the one of our greatest blessings!