Evelyn's first play date!

Evelyn got to visit with Ian, Matt and Lisa's nine week old little bruiser. They got along great, and we're certain that they'll be best friends forever. At one point, Ian got his hand caught in Evelyn's sleeve. It was pretty darn adorable. Really fascinating to watch them interact. Looking forward to many more play dates in the future.

After the play date, we decided to go all out and take advantage of Evelyn's good mood. We grabbed some Chinese food and headed to the local production of Annie. One of my 4th graders was preforming in the show (and did a pretty incredible job!). Evelyn slept through most of the show, waking only to demand food.

Heather's been storing milk and for the past two nights Evelyn has taken a bottle. This has been great as a father, getting to share in the joy of feeding her. Also, it's given heather some much needed rest. It seems like she's growing every day. So excited for the rest of her life. And loving where we are now. It's so beautiful.

We'll see a bunch of you soon!

Two week check-up

This is Heather. We can't figure out how to change my font back to blue, so some of the posts appear to have been written by Todd. Perhaps we'll just start signing them.

Evelyn had her "two week" check-up today weighing in at a monstrous 8 pounds 2 1/2 oz. Todd did her bath on his own for the first time this morning and did beautifully except that Evelyn decided to urinate all over him on their walk across the apartment. I don't gather this will be the last time as he has taken to keeping her diaper-free from time to time in order to let her "air out." He he he :) Our precious baby also decided to pee all over the scale at the Dr's office. She has quite a sense of humor. We loved the pediatrician; very personable and down to earth. She seems to think that the red spot on Evelyn's eye is likely a birthmark and will probably fade around 6 months or so. She also encouraged us that we were doing a good job so far. Whew! It was quite strange to hear "Evelyn Riggins" called in the waiting room. Also, she got her first piece of official mail today; from the Social Security folks. So neat to see her name in print. Todd and I went to lunch at Rikki's; we enjoyed our first meal out together as a family of three and Evelyn was at her very best and so adorable.

Nearly three weeks have passed and we are overwhelmed with love for this little darling. Ahhhh...if you could just see the bend of her shoulder and hear her little baby sounds and feel how soft her tiny legs are. She is perfect. Also, there is this thing she does when she is nursing where she puts her little hands to her cheeks and pushes on them over and over. Todd and I are having so much fun. Never mind the complete lack of sleep we are facing every day. Today in the Peds office we were both trying to figure out if there was time to sleep on the exam table before the Doc came in. Then after we ordered at lunch we both laid our heads on the table until our food came. Tonight I was beating my waffle batter while sitting on the kitchen floor, leaning on the cabinet, and closing my eyes. This is no life for the weary. I think some day we'll look back and chuckle at these funny little sleepy scenes. Some day.

Ha! Wish you could hear Todd talking to her right now: "You're going to pet dogs with those hands. You are...because we like dogs, chubby chicken." He has also been calling her "pizza face" because of her terrible case of baby acne. I think this is mean...and funny.

So excited to see many of you later this month!

Sunday Morning

Evelyn has had a lovely Sunday morning, sleeping soundly on her dad's chest while he read. It's twelve degrees outside, and the freezing fog overnight has left a unspeakably beautiful crust of snowy ice on all the trees outside. The sun is out in full force and it is a beautiful day. Our apartment's radiators are banging and clanging, assuring us that all is warm and toasty inside. Evelyn is the picture of peace and contentment this morning. I'm so thankful for my incredible wife and lovely new child.