It wasn’t enough that the girly world suck me in. The equally jaded Uncle Austin was in town, and is now also under [...]]]> And I thought succumbing to pink was the end of the girly invasion. I give you the cutest thing ever: a leotard, tights, and tiny ballet shoes. Upside-down, of course.

It wasn’t enough that the girly world suck me in. The equally jaded Uncle Austin was in town, and is now also under the spell of ballet.

Joking aside, ballet is the perfect activity for a two-year-old. It involves music, funny stretching, hand motions, a teddy bear dance, and movements that mimic animals. Eva was enraptured for 35 minutes.

And the best part? No Mamas allowed! 35 minutes to sit and read. Or obsessively watch the video monitor. (Austin and I might have chosen the latter.)

I put a few more pictures up in the photo gallery, and if you’re the kind of person that likes to decipher Eva’s speech, watch this video on YouTube.

While Eva was eating breakfast yesterday I asked, “Eva would you like to visit a farm today?” She nodded thoughtfully, and continued to eat her oatmeal.

I thought I hadn’t made much of an impact, but [...]]]> Note: There’s something wrong with the spacing around punctuation in the post. We must be due for a redesign.

While Eva was eating breakfast yesterday I asked, “Eva would you like to visit a farm today?” She nodded thoughtfully, and continued to eat her oatmeal.

I thought I hadn’t made much of an impact, but as soon as she finished her breakfast, she ran to turn off the radio and attempted to open the garage door… while still barefoot and in pajamas. This was a girl trying to get out the door and to the farm as quickly as possible.

We drove about an hour to get to our cousin’s farm, and the moment I took Eva out of the car she squatted, picked up a handful of gravel, and threw it on the ground. Throwing rocks must be an innate toddler instinct, and one they know is likely bad – Eva looked surprised when I didn’t put a stop to it.

We rode out into the fields with our cousin Gay in a golf cart to find the inspiration for our trip, a motherless calf who needs a bottle of milk twice a day. For Eva it was pretty much love at first sight. Unfortunately, the calf didn’t feel the same way.

After feeding the calf, Eva spent some time running across the fields saying, “You pet the cowwwws!” But the cows would have none of it. Matt asked Eva later that night if she petted any cows. She nodded, but that might be wishful thinking.

After chasing the cows and shredding some wildflowers, we got back in the golf cart to go see a tractor. At this point, Gay and I learned that Eva had not enjoyed her first trip in the golf cart. By the time we reached the barn Eva was in full flailing meltdown. As soon as she was out of the cart, she refused to get back in saying in between sobs, “All done with bolf cart!”

Luckily we found cousin David picking produce in the garden. As soon as Eva saw his basket of tomatoes, got her hands on a pepper, and discovered she was allowed to organize the produce, she decided everything might be okay.

We got to take some of the vegetables home, and we’ve been having fresh tomatoes on our salad every night. I also have a giant zucchini I’m looking forward to turning into bread this weekend.

It was a lovely day at the farm. All of our pictures, including plenty of cows and rolling fields, are up in the photo gallery. Now we just need to find a petting zoo with cows that actually want to be petted by an enthusiastic two-year-old…

I’ve had a number of blog entries knocking around my brain, but no time to write them between Gymboree, toddler-chasing, and a sudden influx of business. But thanks to a recent huge storm (more on [...]]]> After a busy June, July, and August, it’s time to dust off the old blog and tell our summer tales.

I’ve had a number of blog entries knocking around my brain, but no time to write them between Gymboree, toddler-chasing, and a sudden influx of business. But thanks to a recent huge storm (more on that in a few entries) and a lack of Internet, I had the time to write them down.

So stayed tuned for at least four – yes four – entries on their way. Until then, I give you this video of Eva swinging and signing.

We spent time with Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) and Uncle Austin. Eva can only hope she inherited these eyes:

Eva had a great time meeting her cousins. [...]]]> Sunday was a great day. Matt spent most of the day reading his school book, but how hard is that when studying looks like this?

We spent time with Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) and Uncle Austin. Eva can only hope she inherited these eyes:

Eva had a great time meeting her cousins. By my count, she had nine cousins at my Aunt’s house at family dinner night – three of my first cousins, and six of their children (plus a seventh on the way). The whole collection looked something like this:

Finally, we had our first family swim. Eva was quiet the whole time we were in the water, looking around through her sunglasses and taking it all in, but I think she had a good time.

It was a beautiful day.

Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to traveling with a baby. The drive is [...]]]> By my calculations, Eva’s heritage is more than 50% southern, with roots ranging from North Carolina to Alabama. It is therefore fitting that her first trip was to Princeton, North Carolina last weekend for the annual Hartley reunion.

Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to traveling with a baby. The drive is normally four and a half hours, and this year it took about five and a half each way. On our way home I did climb into the back seat in the middle of I-95 traffic (a.k.a. running the gauntlet) – but it was because I was tired of reaching into the back seat, not because Eva was overly upset.

Eva slept well in the hotel room (generally she sleeps well once the lights are out), and she adapted back to our routine as soon as we returned home. She seemed a little bit restless after two straight days of new sights, but it was all much easier than I expected.

We spent a few hours both Saturday and Sunday at Pop-Pop’s house, and Eva spent most of the time engaged in one of her favorite pastimes, laughing at ceiling fans. In this picture she’s lying on a quilt hand-sewn by her Great-great Aunt Mildred.

At the reunion, Eva was the most popular attendee – at least 10 people held her, maybe 15. Even though she wanted nothing more than to look around the reception hall at her third and fourth cousins, she eventually passed out mid-head-turn.

We took some photos in front of the field outside of Pop-Pop’s house. I linked to the full size photo above – if you click between the trees on the right, you can see tobacco plants. I point that out because to some of us non-Southerners, tobacco plants are fascinating. Or maybe it’s just me.

In just a few weeks we’ll be taking our first flight with Eva – hopefully that goes just as well.

We had a great week going for walks, visiting friends and family, and sitting quietly with Eva.

We braved the heat and [...]]]> Just a few days after Gigi and GD left, my mother flew into town on a whim. My mother, you should note, is on her third visit since March – what a jet-setter!

We had a great week going for walks, visiting friends and family, and sitting quietly with Eva.

We braved the heat and walked to St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub every day (someone has to keep them in business).

Grandma helped us rediscover the magic of the Boppy.

And she took some fun candid shots of Matt, Eva, and I living our life.

As always, there’s more in the photo gallery.

Next up – we’re heading to North Carolina for Eva’s first annual Hartley reunion. But first, we have a very important weekend with a whole lot of nothing scheduled.

We had a great weekend visiting with the newly crowned Gigi (GG for Greatgrandma) and GD [...]]]> It’s been a busy month for our little family. During the first part of July, Eva met two more great-grandparents, Matt’s maternal grandparents. Great-grandparents on my side of the family – we’re working on plans to come see you.

We had a great weekend visiting with the newly crowned Gigi (GG for Greatgrandma) and GD (for Greatdaddy).

Gigi made a new friend for Eva. This bear is awesome – he or she is built to be loved by a small child.

GD told Eva all about Marine engines.

And Eva took naps in some unusual places. Can you tell she’s a first child and grandchild?

We have a great photo gallery with captions that practically wrote themselves… and then disappeared (why zenphoto why? usually you’re perfect). I did my best rewrite, but they still seem sub-par.

Part II is in the works.