The Simmons Family News

First Day of School and 4th of July

2010-07-06T08:49:00.002-05:00

Evelyn started preschool on July 1! She was so excited as we got dressed and made her lunch for the day. When we arrived, she hung her backpack and placed her lunchbox in the basket. Next, we found her cubby and placed her naptime blanket, pillow, and kitty inside. We then made our way to the multipurpose room where the children can play different activities until time to go in to the classroom. We walked in, she headed straight for some toys, and didn't even look back or say good-bye to Mommy! Mommy made it to the parking lot before crying.... We are so pleased that she loves school and is excited--it is better than the alternative. As for the 4th of July, we celebrated with our court neighbors and Evelyn got to stay up really late to watch the fireworks!

Summer in STL

2010-06-13T18:18:00.002-05:00

This summer is off to a fast pace for us! It all began the last week of school in May when Evelyn fractured her wrist in three places--yes, three places. She decided that Mommy doesn't know what she is talking about when I told her that it wasn't safe to slide off her bed onto the floor via her belly. When I turned my back, she did it and began to cry--off to the ER! They put her into a splint and we had to see our BFF Dr. Bassett (he did both of her thumb surgeries this past year). She was placed into a pink cast for 3 weeks. We also started gymnastics along with swimming lessons about this time. During that time, we headed to Indiana to visit Grandmas and Papas. While there, she got a pink Barbie Jeep! At first, she called it her "pink Pathfinder" cause Mommy drives a Pathfinder--too funny! Since then, not a day goes by that she isn't driving around the court and over to visit Mr. Jon. The following weekend, we headed to Hayti to visit Grandma Cheryl. Before we left, Evelyn got to meet Dora the Explorer at a local mall. While there, we saw some friends from church--Samuel and Andrew. That evening, we hit the road. It was a fun time as we visited with all of Rob's aunts and uncles. This weekend, we finally got to be at home and enjoy time with just the three of us. We grilled, played, and Evelyn got soaked in the sprinkler. She just cackled and grinned as she ran through and became drenched. If only these days would last forever...

He's A Lawyer!

2010-05-10T17:51:00.002-05:00

We received word on April 22nd that Rob had passed the BAR exam! So, on April 30th, we headed to Jefferson City for him to be sworn in. We arrived at the Capitol Bldg at 8:00 AM. Rob was one of the first ones to be sworn in at the Supreme Court. After that 20 minute ceremony, we headed back to the Capitol for some snacks. Since he elected to be admitted into the Federal Courts, we had an 11:00 ceremony to attend in the House of Rep. chambers. Rob sat at one of the representatives desks while we watched from the Gallery area above. It was another brief ceremony and by 12:00 we were headed for Hayti for the weekend. Words can't describe how proud we are of his accomplishment. As Evelyn shouted, "Yeah for Daddy!"

Easter Weekend

2010-04-05T14:15:00.002-05:00

This holiday weekend, Mommy and Evelyn kicked it off with a morning at the Zoo. We headed down early in the morning on Friday and found a place to park. Once inside the zoo, Evelyn wanted to pet some animals. We headed to the Children's Zoo first where she could pet a guinea pig and some goats. She loved it! Then we were off to see the elephants, hippos, cheetah, tigers, monkeys, giraffes, etc. It was a beautiful day and we ate lunch by the pond area. When it was time to go, Mommy wasn't even to the interstate when Evelyn was out like a light. After nap, Grandma Cheryl arrived for the weekend. We spent the rest of the evening outside playing. On Saturday, we went to swim lessons and dyed eggs. During the night, the Easter Bunny left Evelyn a trail of eggs from her bedroom to her basket of goodies. After church, we hid eggs and hunted for them. It was a lovely weekend--beautiful weather, family, and lots of fun!

3rd Birthday

2010-02-28T12:21:00.002-06:00

Evelyn turned 3 yrs. old on Wed.! That day, we kept the celebration small--just Evelyn, Mommy and Daddy. She opened some presents from us, Grandma Jill, and Papa Dave and Grandma Jeanna. When asked where she wanted to eat dinner, she gleefully shouted "McDonald's!" Then, on Sat., we had a few friends over for a party. Our good friends, Owen and Avery came. Also, our buddy Mason attended the party. She greeted everyone at the door and they all ate some lunch. Afterwards, she opened presents and then it was time for cake. It was a princess cake and she blew out the three candles all by herself! After the cake, we played a game sort of like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, only it was Put Cinderella in her castle window. Surprisingly, she loved being blindfolded and wanted to do it several times! The winner was Owen. At 1:00, everyone had to leave as it was nap time for all the little ones. Mommy is having a hard time with Evelyn turning three--she will be going to preschool in July and each day becomes this joyful little girl.

Time Flies

2010-02-04T17:48:00.002-06:00

Wow, has it really been about a month since our last post? So much has occurred during this time. On January 22, Rob's father (aka: Pop Bob) passed away from kidney failure. It has been a hard loss for our family. He was such a loving man who welcomed me (Kristina) into the family with open arms the moment Rob and I began dating. Bob loved Evelyn and doted on her unlike anything in this world--she was "Pop's Little Girl." While she doesn't fully understand what has happened, Evelyn understands that Pop went to see Jesus and we are sharing him just like we shared Mindy with Jesus in December.

About one week later, Evelyn has developed pneumonia. Fortunately, we did not have to stay in the hospital, but it is taking two antibiotics to fight this. We rushed to the ER on Sunday morning when her fever reached 103.5 despite our efforts to keep it low. Since then, she is recovering well. She has been fever free since Monday and each day is becoming more of her outgoing, fun self. Mommy is still watchful...

On a celebratory note, Rob received his diploma from SLU Law School this week. It was a proud moment! He also recently received his grades and did very well in his final semester (especially considering how sick his father had become during finals in December). He is now preparing to take the BAR Exam on Feb. 23rd and 24th. Please say prayers of strength, health, and wisdom as he approaches this difficult test.

Snow Day!

2010-01-08T10:23:00.002-06:00

On Wed. night, we received a lot of snow (okay, so it was a little over 3 inches--but that is a lot to Mommy) and we had a snow day yesterday! Rob couldn't wait to get Evelyn bundled up to play outside in the snow. We layered her clothing, then put on her new coveralls, boots, hats, hood, and gloves--it was comical! She giggled as she tried to run outside and play in the snow. It was precious! After about 10 minutes, Mommy called her inside so Daddy could shovel and Evelyn could warm up.

Indiana Christmas 2009

2009-12-29T15:47:00.002-06:00

We loaded up the Pathfinder and headed to Indiana for Christmas this year. It was odd not having Mindy along for the ride and Evelyn asked where she was. I had to remind her that Mindy was with Jesus and she would celebrate Christmas with Him. That was a hard moment. On Christmas Eve, Evelyn set out cookies and milk for Santa. The next morning, she checked to see if he had come and eaten the cookies--it was precious! She gleefully opened all her presents. She loved the baby dolls, washing machine, vaccuum cleaner, and her new board games. The drive home was a bit treacherous as a winter storm blew in that Sunday. We encountered several cars that had slid off the interstate and even came to a standstill as there had been a serious accident blocking one lane of traffic. Fortunately, the weather eventually let up and road conditions improved the closer we got to home. Now to unpack everything and put it all away--oh what fun!

Christmas Time

2009-12-20T18:39:00.002-06:00

We know it is a bit early, but with a pending winter storm threatening to change our travel plans; we celebrated Christmas at home tonight. Evelyn had a blast opening presents and couldn't wait to use all of them! From the stocking to her last present, she giggled and oohed at everything. As I type, her and Daddy are playing with a Playdo Octopus thing that we bought for her. Though her sheer joy of opening presents made us smile, we couldn't help but notice the void in the room as Mindy wasn't there to open her stocking from Santa Dog. We are celebrating with a mixture of emotions this year--grief for the loss of Mindy, joy for the moments with Evelyn, and thankfulness for the love we have of our family and friends.

Goodbye Mindy

2009-12-18T19:12:00.002-06:00

At 5:00 p.m. this evening, Rob and I said goodbye to our wonderful 12 1/2 yr. old black lab, Mindy. She has been a part of our lives ever since Rob and I began dating. Mindy was just weaned when we purchased her from a breeder in KY. I remember the ride back to Rob's apartment and how Mindy sat perfectly in my lap. We called her our "pretty princess" and adored her. As I moved away to TN after college, she was my companion. She protected us, gave us joy, and above all unconditionally loved us. Since late October, Mindy's health began to fail. She began suffering from arthritis and Cushing's disease. As of late, she began to have accidents in the house, bleed for no reason, and eat very little. Our vet, Dr. Miller, said it was time to say good-bye to her. We didn't want her to suffer anymore. It has been the hardest thing for us. Mindy went peacefully in Rob's arms while I kissed her good-bye. Our home seems empty now and our grief is great. There will never be a more loving and wonderful pet than our beloved Mindy.

Trick or Treat!

2009-11-01T16:14:00.002-06:00

Evelyn thoroughly enjoyed Halloween this year! We have been teaching her to say "trick or treat" when she knocked on doors for the last couple of weeks. Last night, she donned her pumpkin costume and was ready for action! Rob and I were delighted that she was willing to say "trick or treat" and "thank you" at each stop. She did not want to ride in her stroller, but preferred to walk the entire subdivision. After each stop, she would gleefully run down the driveways and shout "Mommy, I got another candy!" It was so much fun to watch her really enjoy the holiday. If last night was any indication of what is to come, Christmas will be unbelievable!

Carving Pumpkins

2009-10-26T18:21:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, we headed to the pumpkin patch to find our perfect pumpkins this year. Last night, we had a lot of fun carving them! Evelyn decided she wanted a silly face on her pumpkin. She dictated to Mommy the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth for Mommy to draw. Then, Daddy began the carving! At first, Evelyn did not like the slimy feel of the pulp and seeds, but soon got over that! Before we knew it, she was constantly putting her hands into the pumpkin. She enjoyed it so much, she just had to help Daddy carve his pumpkin!

Pumpkin Patch

2009-10-03T19:19:00.002-05:00

Today was our annual trip to the pumpkin patch! Every year it gets more fun as Evelyn grows and learns more each day. Unfortunately, the weather was less than ideal. It was cloudy, windy, and very cool. So, we put on our heavy coats and long pants and headed out the door! Evelyn loved getting to pick her own pumpkin--she is like Mommy, she knows it when she sees it and doesn't take long to decide! After picking our pumpkins, we strolled around the farm and looked at the animals. She enjoyed watching the horses, but wanted nothing to do with riding on one. Evelyn got her face painted while we were there. She sat very still as the girl painted a sparkly jack-o-lantern on her cheek. Afterwards, she wanted to ride on the little cars that were pulled by a four wheeler. She had such fun that she had to ride it twice before we got her to leave!

Surgery and Fall Festival

2009-09-20T15:57:00.002-05:00

Evelyn had her second and final surgery this week. It was for trigger thumb, but this time on the right hand. This second surgery was wonderful. The staff remembered Evelyn and even had a Beanie Baby bear waiting on her bed for her when we arrived. They took her back at about 7:30 AM and was done by 8:00. When they were wrapping her hand, the head nurse said that plain white would not do as she knew Evelyn loved the color purple. With that said, she insisted they place some purple wrapping around it. So, Evelyn now has a purple boo-boo! She is so spoiled =)!

On Sat., Evelyn felt good enough to attend my school's annual Fall Festival. She was careful not to get her boo-boo wet as she played in the duck pond. Evelyn loved getting to feed the sheep, pet the llamas, and hear the chickens at the petting zoo. She rode on some trikes, toured an actual school bus (which she always tells us that she wants to ride), bounced in a bouncy house, and just plain wore herself out!

Disney On Ice and Scooter

2009-09-05T18:06:00.003-05:00

Two months ago we were in bed watching the news when an ad came on for Disney On Ice. Rob rushed down to the computer and ordered front row tickets for his little princess! Last night was our big night out as Evelyn attended her first Disney On Ice. She donned her Minnie Mouse ears and gleefully ran to the car to go see Mickey Mouse. She was a little apprehensive at first--especially when Genie from Alladin came out, but once the Princesses arrived, all was well! She loved watching the show and her little face beamed the entire time. It was worth every penny we spent to see her smile and enjoy the show.

The next morning, Daddy headed to Atlanta for a NASCAR race with some of the neighbors. Grandma Donna arrived for the weekend and we went shopping. Of course, Evelyn got something--a pink Radio Flyer scooter and new helmet with pads. Needless to say, she loves her first scooter!

Monkeying Around

2009-08-29T20:03:00.002-05:00

Sorry it has been so long since our last posting, but Mommy is back to work and Daddy has returned to school for his final semester (yeah!). Evelyn's pumpkins are growing and she has her cast off from her thumb surgery. We have been enjoying the few remaining summer days with lots of playing and relaxing (if that it is even possible). Today, she and Daddy went to a place called Monkey Joe's, which is an enclosed inflatable facility for kids. Our good friends Mason and Jacob went as well. She LOVED it! Mommy was helping host a baby shower and the men decided to take the kids for fun and lunch. Rob said she just giggled and ran around. She actually began to cry when it was time to leave for lunch! Of course, she was sound asleep when Mommy got home, but she told me all about the fun she had after her nap. It sounds as if we will be going there again soon!

Planting Pumpkins

2009-07-26T15:49:00.002-05:00

Okay, so if you know us, you know that neither Rob nor I have a green thumb. However, a kind woman with whom Rob works gave him three pumpkin seedlings this week. Thus, we are planting pumpkins for Evelyn. She was very excited and we hope this project works out so that she can learn from the experience. Evelyn had fun raking the soil and putting the seedlings in the ground. She even enjoyed pouring the Miracle Gro food on it with Daddy. Cross your fingers and hold your breath as we are embarking on the gardening path--one that none of us have ever trod before!

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, Evelyn!

2009-07-24T09:06:00.002-05:00

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Can this be real? Has Evelyn been home with us for 2 yrs. already?! We watch her and think to ourselves how blessed we are and how much she has changed in such a short amount of time. To celebrate the day, we ate lunch with Daddy and then had a special dinner out with just the family. Oh, and she got a new Imagination Movers CD to listen and dance (she absolutely LOVES them and their music). We didn't want to do anything over the top in the gift dept. as we want the focus to be on the blessing of her coming home to us and making the family complete. This is such a special day for us and words can't express how we feel: blessed, adoration, pure joy, and unconditional love. These are just a few words that begin to describe how we feel as we celebrate Evelyn's 2nd Gotcha Day.

Cakes, Magic, and the 4th

2009-07-07T16:46:00.001-05:00

We did a lot of celebrating last week! It was Daddy's birthday on Monday and Evelyn surprised him by helping make a cake for him! Evelyn helped Mommy decorate the cake with sprinkles and had a blast! It was so fun, she didn't want to stop decorating with sprinkles--needless to say, Daddy had a very festive birthday cake.

Later in the week, we (the whole family) went to the Magic House for some fun. It was almost too much to take in! Evelyn loved the Once Upon a Time exhibit as she climbed up Jack's Beanstalk and slid down, pretended to be Cinderella in a carriage, and explored with bubbles. She and Daddy had a hair-raising experience with magnets and wouldn't you know, she found an old-fashioned tea set to have a tea party. We left with the promise to return as soon as she gets her boo-boo off as there were lots of water activities that we didn't participate in this time.

The next day was the 4th of July. We were preparing to attend a parade and later a baseball game, but mother nature had different plans. It was rainy and cool the whole day. Mommy and Evelyn made a flag cake to celebrate our country's birthday. Evelyn did a great job putting the blueberries and strawberries onto the cake. When the rain finally stopped, we headed out into the court to eat with our neighbors and celebrate the 4th! All that socializing and eating wore Evelyn out as she didn't make it to see the fireworks.

Thumb Surgery

2009-06-26T16:16:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, Evelyn had surgery on her left thumb to correct her trigger thumb. We tried to treat it conservatively by putting it in a cast in April, but her thumb reverted at the end of May. We arrived at the hospital around 6:30 AM and her surgery was scheduled for 7:30 AM. Upon arriving, Evelyn made herself right at home--she quickly charmed the nursing staff and all the doctors. As usual, the surgery started late (8:00 AM)but was quickly over (8:15 AM). It was tough to watch her come out of the anethsia as she cried and flailed about (they say it was very typical for this age). Once she calmed down, she wanted milk and we were allowed to come home. We were home around 9:30 AM. She wanted to eat a little something (pink Pop Tart) and then napped for 3 1/2 hours. Evelyn will be in a stint for the first week and when we have our one week check up, she will be put into a cast for another 2 weeks.

Oh, and more good news (Mommy is being sarcastic)! It looks like her right thumb is now triggering, so we will likely go through this again in about 6 weeks or so--yeah!!!

Pool Party and Father's Day

2009-06-22T12:50:00.003-05:00

It has been a fun week for Evelyn! Last TH, she went to a pool party and enjoyed basking in the sun while floating in her purple hippo. When given the choice of a one-piece swimsuit or the bikini, she chose the bikini (imagine that)! We celebrated Daddy's second Father's Day by giving him a present on Sunday morning before going to church. Evelyn did a great job keeping the present a secret from Daddy. Believe it or not, she kept the secret from Friday through Sunday when we gave him the gift. Mommy was very impressed with that! Later in the day, Evelyn rode around the court with Jon and Daddy on the lawn tractor. We thought she would be afraid of the loud noise, but in true Evelyn fashion, she LOVED it! No fear and kept telling Mommy "No, Mommy" every time we tried to get her off the tractor! Evelyn will be having surgery on TH. We will post on her condition later that day or on Friday. Please say a prayer for her recovery. It isn't a major surgery, but we are always worried when she has to be put to sleep (as every parent does).

Summertime Fun

2009-06-18T09:43:00.002-05:00

We have had a busy couple of weeks! Evelyn went to her first luau at the home of our friends. She loved riding the Radio Flyer scooter and of course, swinging with her new boyfriend, Mason. The following week, we shopped around and purchased a big girl bedroom furniture. She was her room painted purple (her new favorite color) and the bedroom furniture should arrive in about 10-12 weeks. Then, we met with our boyfriend, Mason, and his Mommy for a morning of fun at the Butterfly House. For some strange reason, she did not enjoy the butterflies this time, but absolutely LOVED riding the carousel nearby. After that, we played in the park and had a snack. Then, we ended the morning with lunch at Chik Fil A and said good-bye to our boyfriend. Later that evening, we headed to visit Pop and Grandma in Hayti. It was a great weekend and summer is off to a fast start for us!

Trip to the Zoo

2009-06-05T08:17:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Mommy and Evelyn headed to the zoo for some fun! The weather was perfect--low 70's and partly cloudy. We arrived early and much to Mommy's surprise, Evelyn was a little apprehensive about the animals at first. We visited the penguins first and made our way around the zoo from there. The prairie dogs seemed to make her giggle the most while the fish at the hippo exhibit captivated her attention for a while. She also enjoyed the monkeys. She kept showing me her teeth as there were two of the chimps who were cleaning each others teeth. For Mommy, the neatest part was seeing the elephant, Raja, stand on his hind legs when asked by his trainer at the zoo. It was funny to see Evelyn's reaction to the elephant as he moved his trunk around--she thought it was his tongue and kept sticking hers out and trying to move it in the same way! After a bite for lunch, we headed for home around 11:30. Mommy wasn't even to the interstate before Evelyn was sound asleep. All that fresh air and riding in the stroller must have made her exhausted as she slept for 3 1/2 hours! It was such a great morning and Mommy is really looking forward to more summer fun.

Ears Pierced!

2009-06-02T13:17:00.002-05:00

Last night, we took Evelyn to the local mall and had her ears pierced (sorry, Mom). She had been talking all weekend about wanting "bling bling" like grandma (see, Mom, this was your doing). Rob was excited and I was a bit apprehensive. Evelyn helped pick out her CZ studs and then came time to get in the chair. She was fine until Daddy held her. That is when she started fussing. The girls who did the piercing did a great job--it was quick! As soon as Rob finished holding her, she quit crying. She likes knowing that she has earrings like Mommy, but is not very cooperative when it comes time to clean the studs. That is a challenge! However, we must admit that she looks terribly cute with her "bling bling!"

Wow, Time Flies!

2009-05-26T12:26:00.003-05:00

Has a month really gone by since the blog was last updated?! I (Kristina) greatly apologize. It has been a very busy and hectic month for all of us. Rob finished the semester at SLU and is looking forward to only one more semester! Kristina finished the school year and is so grateful that summer is here and time to be Mommy and have fun with Evelyn. Speaking of Evelyn, she has had a busy month as well! She finished her hand cast for the trigger thumb, but unfortunately, it looks like she will have surgery on June 25th to permanently correct it. At the beginning of May, we celebrated her one year of finalization for the adoption and Korean Children's Day. It was great to see all of our good friends--Jared, Jane, Scott, Leslie, Owen and Avery. Evelyn was able to do some of the crafts this year (she made a beaded bracelet with Mommy) and enjoyed hitting Daddy with a noodle at the Tae Kwan Do station! Over Memorial weekend, we traveled to IN to visit family and attend Cousin Derek's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and Evelyn, our little social butterfly, enjoyed meeting everyone at the reception. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, aunts, and uncle.

Hippity Hoppity Easter is Here!

2009-04-12T15:49:00.002-05:00

Evelyn has really enjoyed Easter this year! Of course, it really helps that it did not snow like last year. To kick off the holiday, we colored eggs on Friday night. Not just any old eggs, but glittery eggs! Evelyn had fun putting the dye tabs into the water and watching the eggs change color. Most of all, she loved shaking the glitter onto the eggs. Yes, three cracked along the way, but all went well for the most part! On Saturday, Rob's parents drove up for a visit and brought along one of 4 Easter baskets that she received this year (she isn't spoiled at all is she?!). Later in the evening, we all headed over to Mason's house for an egg hunt. Our good friends all gathered and the dads got to scatter the eggs on the front lawn. Once outside, it was comical! Evelyn ran around collecting as many eggs as possible while Mason and Jacob would pick one up and open to see what was inside. In the end, Evelyn had 23 eggs! Who would have guessed our little one would be such a good collector? Then, on Sunday morning, Evelyn awoke to find the Easter Bunny had left another basket of goodies for her on her little table. She was excited to sift through the items and show them to Pop and Grandma. On a day that we celebrate Christ rising from the dead to fulfill His promise, we also realize the many blessings He has given to us--especially our family. Happy Easter everyone!

Pretty in Pink

2009-03-24T10:26:00.005-05:00

Yesterday morning, Mommy woke Evelyn up and began getting her dressed (normal routine). Suddenly, Mommy noticed that Evelyn was not using her left arm at all and it was hanging limp by her side. Off to the ER we went! After several xrays, we were sent across the hall to an orthopedic doctor. He looked at her xrays and determined there were no broken bones nor fractures. Then, he began touching her arm, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. The only time she winced was when he touched her elbow. With that said, he determined that she had pulled her elbow somehow and needed a hard cast for the next 2 weeks! How this happened is still a puzzle. The only thing we can think of is that she got her arm caught in between the crib slats during the night and when she tried to roll, it pulled the elbow out of place. Of course, Evelyn being Evelyn, she never once cried or fussed about it. She was as happy as a lark as they put the pink (she chose the color) cast on her arm. In the meantime, Mommy was crying (imagine that).

Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth!

2009-03-16T20:14:00.002-05:00

Today was Evelyn's first trip to the dentist! Our pediatrician recommends children see a pediatric dentist at age 2, so Mommy got us an appt. right away! All weekend we talked about how Dr. Reichert takes care of our body, but that the dentist takes care of our teeth. Every time, Evelyn would show off her smile and say "Teeth!" She was her usual happy self and played in the bus while we waited for the dentist to call us back. When we went back, she sat in the big girl chair by herself, but as all 2 yrs. do, she became a bit wiggly, so Mommy held her in her lap during the exam. The dentist checked her teeth and counted them all. Evelyn is right on track developmentally for her teeth and the dentist said we could move into regular children's toothpaste. The best news of all, no cavities! Hopefully, we can continue this good dental hygiene until our next visit!

Look Who's Two!

2009-03-01T16:30:00.002-06:00

Hard to believe, but Evelyn turned 2 this week! On Tues. we invited our neighbors over for a small celebration. Daddy was at class while we celebrated this milestone. Then, on Sat., we invited over our good friends and family to mark the occasion. Evelyn had a great time opening presents and playing with her friends, Jacob and Mason. Of course, she enjoyed eating some cake as well at her big girl table and chairs. Given all the current medical struggles, we feel truly blessed to be celebrating the occasion with our family and friends.

Valentine's Day and Birthday Party

2009-02-15T09:41:00.002-06:00

It was a special day for Evelyn and Daddy! They had their first Daddy/Daughter breakfast. It was so sweet! They went out to Tony's West for breakfast together--just the two of them! Rob is hopeful that this will become a special tradition for them. After breakfast, they zoomed home to pick up Mommy for a birthday party. Our dear friend Jacob turned 2 and we celebrated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse style! Of course, it was great to get out and visit with our friends, but it was even more fun to watch the kids run around and play. Of course, Evelyn had a wonderful time and wore herself out. She was fast asleep within 10 minutes of us returning home!

Mommy On The Edge

2009-02-10T20:01:00.002-06:00

Will this roller coaster ride ever end? Since December, our little one has been so sick and not with just a typical cold here and there. It has been an ear infection, pneumonia, influenze A,sinus infections, and RSV. Not to mention the occasional seizure due to fevers. Honestly, Mommy is feeling like I can't take much more of it. It is absolutely wearing me thin to see my baby so ill constantly and not be able to somehow prevent it. I mean, that is my job, right? As her Mommy, I am suppose to shield her from all of this and more. I really feel like I am failing my daughter. It is killing me. Every time we are ready to do the sedated MRI, she gets sick and we have to postpone it. I know God has His plan, but I am desperately seeking it right now. All the prayers that people are saying for her are such a comfort, but I am really struggling to stay upbeat and positive. I didn't realize just how bad I was getting until an acquaintance from church saw me and the first words he spoke to me were "Are you okay?" Yes, I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve, but I try hard not to be that expressionate with my face. My mind is constantly in a whirlwind and every time she gets ill, it is crushing me. Her MRI has been rescheduled for the 18th--pray that we make it and that this chapter of our lives will close soon. I am sorry to have vented, but I am looking forward to spring and the return to health for Evelyn. Please keep praying for her--she needs them so much.

Pics from Hospital

2009-01-26T18:10:00.002-06:00

Here are some pics that Daddy took on his cell phone during our sleepover at the hospital last week. After this experience, we think Evelyn may go into the medical field--ha ha!

Hospital

2009-01-25T15:51:00.002-06:00

On Thursday afternoon, I (Kristina) took Evelyn to the pediatrician as she had been suffering with congestion, cough, and fever that wouldn't break. The dr. ordered chest x-rays and we went across the hall. While registering, Evelyn suddenly went limp in my arms and her eyes fixated. I knew immediately she was going into a seizure. They rushed us back across the hall to the dr. Luckily, she pulled right out of it and never convulsed. After checking her temp. again, it had spiked 3 degress in less than one minute, which is why she went limp. They gave us Motrin and told us to head immediately to the hospital emergency room. Rob met us there and the dr.'s ordered various tests. Evelyn had RSV and her oxygen levels were not bad, but not good either. They decided to keep us overnight to monitor her oxygen levels. Unfortunately, the levels didn't improve so they put her on oxygen and we stayed for two nights. While there, they did an EEG on Evelyn to check her brain waves. We are still waiting to hear those results--hopefully they will come on Monday. We will post some pics later from our adventure. For now, we are home and grateful that our little one is up and running around the house!

Time Has Flown By

2009-01-20T14:48:00.002-06:00

Hard to believe that we haven't posted since December. So much has been happening with Evelyn lately that keeping up with the blog has not been on the forefront of our minds. Evelyn attended a farewell party for our neighbor who is going off to college this semester. She had a blast at the skating rink! Looks like someone will be getting her first set of roller skates for her birthday next month! We have seen a neurologist (who Mommy is not very fond of right now) and we will be having some tests on the 23rd of January. Since meeting with the neurologist, Evelyn has been to a birthday party for our friend, Avery, to celebrate her 2nd birthday. It was a fun time! As of late, we have battled a stomach bug and fever. We are praying that this all subsides before the tests on the 23rd or we will have to reschedule. We ask that everyone pray for her on the 23rd--it will be a long and difficult morning for our little sunshine.

Bootheel Holiday

2008-12-29T12:13:00.003-06:00

We hit the highways once again on Christmas Eve to visit family for the holiday season. Evelyn was completely spoiled by Grandma and Pop and delighted in all the attention showered upon her. She was allowed to open a present or two on Christmas Eve, which came from her Great Aunt Gwindel, Grandma and Pop. Then, on Christmas morning, she awoke to presents under the tree from Santa. Her favorite items seemed to be the purse (which Pop quickly filled with dollar bills--she is so spoiled) and a pink cell phone. She carried both around for the entire time we were there. Later that morning, we headed to Aunt Kathy's for lunch and of course, more presents! It was so good to be with all of our family. Though we were glad to head for home on Saturday, a big part of us hated to say good-bye to them.

Christmas at Home

2008-12-21T15:01:00.002-06:00

This morning we celebrated Christmas at home before heading out to visit family this holiday season. We began with Mindy opening her stocking from Santa Dog. Next, it was Evelyn's turn to see what was in her stocking. Then, it was time for presents! Evelyn gleefully opened her presents from Santa, family, and friends. Santa brought her some snow suit clothing, books, and Little People Learn About Town. One of Mommy's students, Jack, gave her a present--a Princess tea set for four. Evelyn LOVED it! Once her presents were opened, she began to help Mommy and Daddy open theirs. It was such fun! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

Seizures

2008-12-14T17:53:00.002-06:00

On Friday, Dec. 12th, Evelyn became very ill. She had a low-grade fever and tummy troubles so Mommy stayed home with her. Mommy called the pediatrician and they felt that Evelyn had a virus that has been going around and told me to monitor her. Around noon, she layed down for a nap. That is when I heard her making an unusual noise. When I went in to her room, her eyes were fixated on the ceiling, she did not respond to my voice, and was slightly shaking. I grabbed her and rushed to a nearby Urgent Care. They took her temp. and vital signs. Her temp. had skyrocketed to 103, which is why she was reacting the way that I found her, and they gave her some Tylenol to bring it down. They also discovered that she had an ear infection. After her temp. began to drop, they gave us an antibiotic and sent us home. All was well until bath time. At 7:00 p.m., Daddy was giving her a bath and I was in the kitchen getting her next dose of Tylenol ready and some milk. That is when Rob yelled for me and rushed to the bathroom to find her shaking violently with her eyes rolled in the back of her head. We immediately realized she was having a seizure. I called our neighbor who is a nurse and she rushed over. I started the car while Rob wrapped up Evelyn and we rushed to the ER. They did some chest xrays and blood tests. They determined that she had an ear infection, influenza A, and pneumonia. They told us that she is in the 1% of children who suffer from febrile seizures when her temperature rises. The good news is that most children grow out of them by age
6. She is on an antibiotic and Termaflu along with Motrin and Tylenol every 3-6 hrs. Mommy keeps wondering why I didn't see any signs, but if you know my daughter, then you know that she never shows symptoms of not feeling well. Our hearts are broken over this news, but we appreciate all the love and support our friends and neighbors have shown us during this time. If you are wondering what you can do to help, we simply ask for prayers.

Indiana Holiday Time

2008-11-30T12:34:00.001-06:00

On Wed. night, we hit the highways to visit family in IN. To our great surprise, there wasn't much traffic and Evelyn was an angel all the way! She never once fussed for a toy, book, or any other reason. She just sat in her car seat, petted Mindy, and looked out the window until she fell asleep around 7:30 p.m. We were astonished at how well she traveled! Grandma Donna cooked a large Thanksgiving feast for us and Evelyn gobbled up every last bite on her plate (imagine that)! The next day, we headed up to visit Grandma Jill and the Grandfather along with Grandma Jeanna, Aunt Kenzie, Uncle Ty, and Aunt Abby. We exchanged Christmas presents and played with our second cousin Blake, who is about the same age as Evelyn. Sat. morning we headed back down to Grandma Donna's and exchanged more Christmas presents there. Now, we are home safe and sound and watching the first snowfall of the season--pretty to look at, but Mommy would rather see it in a picture while sunbathing at the beach!

It has been a while...

2008-11-23T15:41:00.002-06:00

Since our last post, we have been busy with colds, work, and lots of playing. It seems like either Daddy, Mommy, or now Evelyn has had a cold with a cough for the past month. Of course, Daddy's began as an ear infection that became severe rather quickly. He finally went in to a doctor and got medicine. Then, it was Mommy's turn to fall under the spell of a cold. Now, Evelyn has a runny nose with a cough. Hopefully, we will make it through Thanksgiving without having to see the doctor. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving--we will post pics from our Thanksgiving in IN soon.

Let The Training Begin!

2008-11-02T18:57:00.003-06:00

On Monday night at 5:00 p.m., Evelyn came around the corner of the kitchen pulling at her diaper and fussing. When Mommy asked her if she needed to go potty on the potty chair, Evelyn took off for the bathroom. We sat on the potty for a few minutes and read some books, then Evelyn stood up and she had gone potty! We did a high five and celebrated! Since that day, she has gone potty on the chair a few other times--looks like we are heading down the potty training road! My what a big girl she is becoming.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

2008-10-31T21:02:00.002-05:00

The itsy bitsy spider went trick or treating tonight! Evelyn donned her spider costume, grabbed her ghost bucket, and headed out to get some treats! Daddy and Mommy were excited to take her for her first official trick or treating. She tuckered out after walking for a few minutes, so we carried her most of the way around the subdivision (heaven forbid she rides in her stroller). She enchanted everyone with her "Boo" and saying "Thank you." By 7:30 p.m., we were home, taking a bath, and heading for bed. With all the fun she had this Halloween, we can hardly wait to see what Christmas will bring this year!

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-26T13:30:00.002-05:00

We invited our neighbor over to carve pumpkins last night! She brought her two daughters over to join the fun! Evelyn decided what kind of face to draw on her pumpkin from two drawings that Mommy made on paper. She chose the happy face (imagine that). Then, she helped Mommy draw the face onto the pumpkin. Daddy took over with the actual carving and scooping out the seeds. While that took place, Evelyn ran around playing with the neighbor's older daughter while the youngest one sat quietly in the stroller. Evelyn finally noticed all the seeds on the newspaper and decided to investigate them further--she really enjoyed pushing them around with the ice cream spade. Once the pumpkins were done, we all headed inside for some pizza. After bath, we lit our jack o' lanterns and Evelyn said "Boo!" (Mommy has taught her that for Halloween). We can't wait for Halloween night!

Fall Fun

2008-10-05T14:44:00.002-05:00

Grandma Donna arrived late Thursday evening for a weekend visit. On Saturday morning, she and Mommy took Evelyn to the Fall Festival at Mommy's school. Daddy had to do some homework and go to the dr.--he has a terrible ear infection. At the Festival, Evelyn picked an alligator out of the pond for a prize (a duckie--one of her favorite bath toys!) and then headed outside for more fun. She wanted to go down the huge inflatable slide, so Mommy climbed up with her and we slid down together. She loved it and wanted to go again. We then headed over for a pony ride, but as we got close, she began to cry and wanted nothing to do with the pony. So, it was back inside for a quick bite for lunch. Before leaving, we stopped to make our little princess a crown. On Sunday, Daddy was feeling better and we all headed to Rombach's to pick a pumpkin! Evelyn tried to help Daddy pull the pumpkin cart. We met up with our good friends, Owen and Avery. Evelyn loved climbing on the fire truck and going for a tractor ride for kids. When it was lunch time, we headed to the mall to grab a bite and pick up Daddy's new suit. Of course, Evelyn did some shopping and found a winter dress coat and Christmas dress. On the way home, our little diva fell fast asleep.

Newest U.S. Citizen

2008-09-12T16:27:00.002-05:00

Evelyn became one of our country's newest citizens today! She donned a white dress with navy and red ribbon trim. At 1:00 p.m. we arrived at the Federal Bldg. for her naturalization. We were taken to a room with several other adults, teens, and children for the ceremony. Daddy took care of all the signing while Mommy kept up with Evelyn. After signing the certificate, it was time to recite the oath. Mommy and Evelyn held up their right hands to recite it. At the end, Evelyn was given an American flag, her certificate, and a letter from the President. It happened very quickly, but the memory of this special day will last a lifetime.

Apple Picking Time!

2008-09-06T16:16:00.002-05:00

At about 8:00 a.m. this morning, Mommy learned that the playgroup was heading to Eckert's to pick some apples. Daddy hurried, got dressed, and took Evelyn (Mommy couldn't get ready in time--long, sad story). Once there, the gang took off for the orchards for some fun. Apparently, Evely kept trying to pick the apples off the ground as those were the ones she could reach on her own. Luckily, Daddy was able to convince her to reach for the ones on the trees. Afterwards, they headed out for some lunch and then home. Our little picker fell fast asleep on the way home and slept for a good two hours in her own bed. I wonder if visions of apples were dancing in her head?

Labor Day Leisure

2008-08-31T16:38:00.002-05:00

It is Labor Day weekend (hard to believe) and we are taking it easy for a change; well, sort of easy. On Saturday, we took Evelyn to Faust Park to ride the famous carousel and visit the Butterfly House. She had a great time riding the carousel and chasing the butterflies. Daddy's good friend, Todd, came up for a visit. They went to a John McCain rally on Sunday. Mommy and Evelyn would have gone, but Evelyn has had an upset stomach and Mommy didn't feel comfortable taking her. As of now, there aren't big plans for Labor Day other than visit with the neighbors at an annual gathering. Hope everyone had a wonderful and leisurely Labor Day!

What's Going Been Going On?

2008-08-17T16:17:00.002-05:00

It has been a few weeks since we lasted posted because we have been a family on the go! After the haircut, we traveled to Hayti to visit family. While there, we visited the Urgent Care as Evelyn developed a large lump from a mosquito bite. Turns out that she is a child who will swell with bites and can have infections as a result (totally worries Mommy). The following weekend, we packed up and headed north to Wisconsin to visit The Grandfather. While there, we visited the Milwaukee City Museum, the Jelly Belly factory, and a local waterpark. Evelyn LOVED the waterpark--especially the small yellow slide! Daddy could barely keep up with our little fish! Once home, Mommy started back to work and Daddy is starting law school once again. So, in a nutshell, that is what has been going on around here!

Snip Snip

2008-07-29T14:02:00.002-05:00

Evelyn had her very first haircut today! At 12:30, we went to a children's hair studio called The Hairy Elephant. Prior to being called back, Evelyn enjoyed playing with the Legos and various other toys. Then, Miss Jessica called us back to the chair, which was an airplane. Evelyn really enjoyed trying to "fly" the plane! Miss Jessica put a Baby Einstein video in and began snipping away at Evelyn's hair. Mommy did tear up at the first snip, but Evelyn handled it all like a pro. Miss Jessica informed Mommy that Evelyn has fine hair, but that it will probably thicken as the back seems to have quite a bit of hair. At the end, Evelyn got to choose two white ladybug barrettes to put into her hair. Miss Jessica gave Mommy a certificate with Evelyn's picture and a lock of hair to commemorate the occasion.

Gotcha Day

2008-07-25T16:09:00.002-05:00

It is so hard for us to believe, but yesterday was Evelyn's first Gotcha Day celebration. For the life of us, we can't remember where the past year has gone! At 11:15, Rob called home to ask if I remembered what we were doing at that very moment one year ago. We were holding our little angel for the first time in LAX. When I think back to the moment we first saw and held her, I am overcome with the same emotions all over again. I remember how tiny she was and the smile that came over her face when she saw us. Fast forward to one year later, and that same sweet smile is there (only with some teeth now). We celebrated the occasion with our good friends, the Paynes, at Han Gook Kwan; which is a local Korean restaurant. Evelyn enjoyed eating the sprouts and dak bulgogi. Afterwards, we headed over to the Asian Market to buy some sweet treats. Our final stop for the night was for some ice cream. Evelyn shared some with her Daddy. As I watch her toddle around, I say a prayer of thankfulness for God allowing us to be her parents. We are so blessed to have this sweet miracle in our lives. Happy Gotcha Day, Evelyn!

Grant's Farm

2008-07-21T08:18:00.003-05:00

On Saturday morning, we headed to South County to visit Grant's Farm. The morning was cloudy and cool (for this time of year)as we pulled into the parking lot. It was 9:00 a.m. so there wasn't the normal large crowd yet. Evelyn LOVED riding the tram around the property and getting to see the deer and various other creatures up close. Once we got off the tram, Evelyn watched the baby goats being fed, the tortoises drinking water, and even discovered the answer to the question, "Why did the chicken cross the road?" (A: To see Evelyn up close!) She enjoyed watching the African elephants and the famous Clydesdales; however, she was a little intimidated by their size. Before leaving the Farm, Evelyn met a children's author named Byron von Rosenberg. He read one of his stories to her and we purchased a copy of the book, which he personalized. We headed out around 11:00 a.m., just as the sun began to peak from the clouds and tour buses full of people began to pull in to the Farm. It was a fun-filled morning for the Simmons' family!

Step By Step

2008-07-16T08:08:00.002-05:00

July 15, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., Evelyn took her first independent steps! We were in the kitchen and she had cruised her way over to the laundry room door. As I turned around from the sink, I watched as she turned herself around and took two independent steps towards the kitchen chair! I could hardly believe my eyes! Mommy rushed over to her and praised her beyond all belief. Then, I scooped her up and ran outside to where Daddy was mowing the yard to share the good news. This was a moment we have long waited for as she has only been willing to walk as long as someone was holding her hand. Let the independent toddling begin!

Weekend Getaway

2008-07-14T09:38:00.004-05:00

Over the weekend, we headed out of town to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It was a much needed break for us all--especially Daddy. It was a four hour drive to Lake Barkley in KY. This area is very special to us as Murray State is where Rob and I met. We stayed at a B&B named Harbor House and it was a beautiful old home built in 1730 that overlooks the lake. Our good friends Rick and Amy Casey along with Gibby and his new wife, Laci met us there. We spent Friday on the boat out on the lake. Evelyn donned her life vest that we purchased for her. Bless her heart, she struggled to move around in it much, but at least she was safe! The next day, we went to a cookout by the lake with Rick and Amy's families. Evelyn dipped her toes into the lake to cool off and later spent time on the playground nearby. Then, Sunday morning, Mommy and Evelyn took an early morning stroll lakeside. The morning was cool and a little misty, but the air was filled with the smell of a campfire burning. Mommy's mind was flooded with wonderful memories of going camping with her family as a little girl. I hope that someday, Evelyn will have the same fond memories of her childhood. This weekend was definitely a good start to creating them!

Happy Fourth of July!

2008-07-04T21:03:00.002-05:00

Evelyn celebrated her first Fourth of July today. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful--highs around 80 degrees and no humidity! Of course, she was dressed patriotically as well as her big sister, Mindy. As the day progressed, we all made our way out to the court for our annual gathering. Evelyn enjoyed the good food and splashing around in her pool. Most of all, she enjoyed the fireworks. We were a bit surprised that she wasn't scared of the sounds. She is such a social butterfly and LOVED all the colors and sounds of the holiday. We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday as much as we did!

First Father's Day

2008-06-16T11:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated Rob's first Father's Day! Evelyn woke Daddy up with a big grin, a card, and an iPod. Then, it was off to church for the morning. Afterwards, we headed outdoors for some pool time with Evelyn. Later in the day, we ventured over to the Bruce's for a fun cookout with them and the Bryants. While the Dads all talked about sports and grilled, the Mommies helped cook and watched the little ones play. Evelyn really seemed to enjoy her play time with Jacob and Mason. It was a wonderful time and a very special day for our #1 Dads!

Caught In The Act!

2008-06-11T09:21:00.000-05:00

Evelyn has moved into the next phase of mobility. No, she isn't walking on her own, but she is now climbing! Mommy caught her in the act on the stairwell. As you can see from the photos, she is quick! So, Mommy and Daddy will be placing another baby gate at the bottom of the stairwell to keep our little one from scaling the stairs. Mommy will admit, it was neat to see her learn how to do something new, but it sure is scary!

Pool Time!

2008-06-05T15:53:00.000-05:00

It has finally gotten warm enough to head outdoors for some fun in the sun! The temp. reached 93 degrees today and Evelyn ventured out into her first pool. Our bathing beauty donned her ladybug swimsuit and couldn't wait to get into the water. She loved splashing around and throwing the beach ball out of the pool for Mommy to get--she cackled as Mommy ran to get it. After about 30 minutes, she was tired and wanted to get out. Guess all that fun can wear a little one out quickly, huh?

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

2008-06-03T10:10:00.000-05:00

Yep, we took Evelyn out to her first Cardinals baseball game last night! We had fantastic seats and Evelyn seemed to really enjoy the crowd (she is such a social butterfly). When we arrived, she spotted the Build A Bear Workshop inside and indicated how she wanted to get one, but Daddy said "no." However, our persistant little angel convinced Daddy otherwise and we went to get her one! Evelyn picked out the pink teddy bear with the Cardinals emblem on its foot. She really enjoyed helping stuff it and when time came to give the heart a kiss before putting it into the bear, well, she tried to eat it! It was too funny! The girl said it was the best kiss she'd ever seen! Next came the clothing and Evelyn got a pink polo dress for the bear along with a pink hairbow. Finally, we were done and headed back to our seats. Evelyn snuggled her bear and ate some chicken strips while cheering for the home team. It was definitely a fun and memorable ballgame for us!

Another Busy Weekend

2008-06-01T19:44:00.000-05:00

It was another busy weekend in our household! Grandma and Pop Simmons came up for a visit on Saturday. Before they arrived, we headed to the zoo to meet up with Jared, Connor, and Bailey. This was Evelyn's first trip to the zoo and she seemed to really enjoy it. Of course, it was a steamy, hot day in STL, but with lots of sunscreen, water, and of course the canopy of our stroller, Evelyn was staying cool. After seeing some of the animals, we stopped for a ride on the carousel. Evelyn was excited, but a little scared at moments. Overall, she seemed to really enjoy it. When it was time to head home, she fell fast asleep before we even made it to the car. The rest of the time was spent visiting with our family--what a great weekend!

Here's the Photos!

2008-05-27T08:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, so it took me about a day to get this done, but here they are! Evelyn really did well and Mommy is pretty happy with the photos. Of course, the photographer had a hard time keeping up with our active little angel. Eventually, as Mommy tried to keep her in one place, the photographer snapped a couple of impromptu shots of Mommy with Evelyn. They turned out pretty good, but Mommy was not dressed for the occasion! As Evelyn maneuvered around the studio, she did take time to snuggle with a teddy bear on the set--one of my favorites! Enjoy perusing some of the photos from the session!

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-05-26T15:35:00.001-05:00

Unlike most other cost-conscience families this weekend, we hit the highway to visit family in Indiana. While we cringed at the cost of gas, we didn't want to pass up the chance to spend a long weekend with our family. So, off we went! Evelyn traveled like a pro. We arrived to Grandma Donna's Friday evening in time for dinner. The next morning, we headed up to Grandma Jill's house to visit with her and the Grandfather. Evelyn LOVED playing with the bubbles and swinging in the swing with Grandma Jill while Daddy helped Uncle Donnie dig some post holes for Grandma's grapevine. Later in the afternoon, we headed out for Evelyn's first official studio pictures (I know, I am a bad Mommy, but timing has not been on my side). She did great! Never once fussed, but wouldn't sit still for very long. They turned out great and I will post them later (once I figure out how to download them onto my computer). On Sunday, we headed back to Grandma Donna's and then on home this morning. Again, Evelyn traveled like a pro. She slept, played and read books, ate some Goldfish, and slept again. Sometimes, we think our job as parents is a little too easy with her--but we are NOT complaining!

Mother's Day

2008-05-11T16:17:00.001-05:00

Today was Mommy's first Mother's Day with Evelyn! When I walked into the kitchen to prepare her breakfast, there on the table was a digital frame with pictures of the past several months. Then, as I was getting ready for church, Daddy brought her in to the room holding a card for Mommy. Her face was lit up as she held the card for me. That was really all I needed for Mother's Day. Throughout the day, my mind has wondered about her birthmom. How is she? Does she know how much her sacrifice has brought joy into my life? I have said this to many people before, but I truly mean it. Getting to be Evelyn's Mommy is the greatest thing I could have ever done with my life. Every day is such a joy and honor to be her Mommy.

Korean Children's Day

2008-05-03T21:22:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Korean Children's Day at a local Korean Presbyterian Church. Our good friends Scott and Leslie reminded us that it was exactly three years ago today that Rob and I decided to journey through adoption. Isn't life ironic sometimes? Anyways, we instantly met up with our good friends Jared, Owen, and Avery upon arriving. We were welcomed by Sue Pang and Margie Wasielewski. Then, we were treated to a traditional Korean dance, a traditional Korean musical band, and a Tae Kwon Do demonstration. Evelyn watched intently as the young girls danced in their Hanboks and really was entranced by the musical instruments--especially the drum. As much as she loves to bang on things, we think we may have a future drummer on our hands! Unfortunately, we had to leave before lunch was served as Daddy had to go to SLU to study for more finals and Mommy had to be home for the carpet cleaners. Needless to say, Evelyn was asleep in the Pathfinder in no time on the way home. It was a fun-filled morning!

Finally Final!

2008-05-01T16:20:00.001-05:00

Exactly one year ago today we received the referral for Evelyn. Today we finalized Evelyn's adoption. It was definitely a full-circle moment for us. The day started hectic as Evelyn awoke with red, puffy eyes. Of course, Mommy called the dr. and took her in to see him. Eventually, Mommy will learn to listen to her first instinct as I was right--it was allergies! The dr. gave us some eye drops and allergy medicine. By the time we headed to the courthouse, Evelyn looked like her normal, sunshiny self. Court began at 1:30 and we were second in line to go. Judge Cunningham presided over the hearing. It was very quick! By 2:30, we were headed for home and Daddy was headed to SLU to take a final. As we look back on the journey, we are so grateful for the sacrifice the birthmom made in giving her up for adoption and the excellent care she received from her foster mom, Mrs. Lee. It has been a long journey to get to this point. Now, we can officially say we are a family of three!

Just A Swingin'

2008-04-20T16:33:00.000-05:00

Evelyn is over her ear infection and is back to her old playful self! In fact, since our last blog entry, she has gotten her third tooth! We are thankful that she is finally getting some on the top now! The weather is also getting better as spring really begins to blossom around here. Today, Daddy installed her very first swing and we took her out to try it! Evelyn seemed to really enjoy it. She was laughing and kicking her feet quite a bit! As the spring turns to summer, we are looking forward to spending more time in the great outdoors!

Not Well

2008-04-10T18:08:00.000-05:00

Evelyn has her second ear infection and she is just not herself. As I type, she is holding on to me and resting. She is running a fever and is fussy. Those seem to be the only indicators that something is not right. Our doctor gave us an antibiotic and we go back in two weeks for a checkup. Pray that this takes hold soon--it is breaking Mommy's heart to see her little one so unhappy!

Happy Easter!

2008-03-24T09:02:00.000-05:00

Evelyn's first Easter at home was a cold one! So cold that we had snow falling! Needless to say, there was no Easter egg hunt outside for her nor any outdoor pictures. She was all dressed up for church, but had to cover up with a sweater and heavy winter coat. How can such a wonderful spring holiday be so cold? Hopefully, spring weather is on its way!

Vegas Baby!

2008-03-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

We are a little ashamed to say this, but we went to Las Vegas for our first family vacation! It was a spur of the moment idea to go someplace warmer than here and where there wouldn't be a lot of spring breakers. Out of all of us, we think Evelyn had the most fun! She did very well on the plane ride and in true Evelyn style, never met a stranger while on vacation. We stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel, where they have a lion exhibit. We ventured down to it and to our surprise, the lions pounced on top of us (the exhibit allows you to walk under the lions--totally cool)! The family also stopped at the M&M factory and Coca-Cola factory in Vegas. Evelyn loved seeing all the lights of the city at night, but we think her favorite part of the vacation was the hotel bed (it was a king size with a pillow top matress and fluffy covers). She would just roll around and play in the covers and giggle away! Despite all the fun, we were glad to come home; until we actually got home. Unfortunately, our sump pump was kicked off and water came into the basement. We called a professional out to clean up the mess--kind of a bummer to such a great vacation.

And The First Word Is....

2008-03-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

Mama!! Now we are fully aware that phonologically that is not practical, but it is true! She clearly spoke it for the first time yesterday evening and has continued with it today. Daddy is a little hurt and disappointed, but we are excited to hear her first word! Let the chattering begin!

Happy 1st Birthday, Evelyn!

2008-02-24T15:36:00.001-06:00

Today is our little princess' 1st birthday! We celebrated this milestone with family and friends yesterday. Evelyn wore the hanbok sent from Mrs. Lee, who was her foster mom in Korea. As you see, she looked beautiful and very grown-up. To kick off the celebration, we had the traditional tol. It is a ceremony of sorts where the dad walks the child around a table set with specific items that predict the child's chosen path in life. Items include a bow & arrow (becoming a warrior), needle & thread (live long), jujube (have many descendents), a book (successful scholar), rice (become rich), a ruler (talented with her hands), and a knife (good cook). Evelyn first picked up the ruler and then touched the book; so it looks like she will be talented with her hands and a successful scholar--watch out Yale, here she comes! While everyone ate, Mommy changed Evelyn into a dress and then we opened gifts. Once again, our friends and family were very generous to our angel. Then, it was time for the cake. At first, Evelyn didn't quite know what to do with it, but soon figured it out and cake was everywhere on her face! It was a fun-filled day with good food, good friends, and a little one who is getting all too big too soon!

Getting Big!

2008-02-12T13:38:00.000-06:00

Mommy has a snow day today--thank goodness! She was up sick all night and prayed for the day off to recover! Since she has had the day at home with her Korean angel, she thought she would share some big news about Evelyn! Evelyn began pulling herself up to a standing position in the crib over the weekend and now wants to do that on EVERYTHING!! In fact, she is trying to climb up on Mommy as she types this post. Also, Evelyn is getting around very well with the crawling issue--she is quick! Yesterday, she was able to get herself into a sitting position from crawling without any assistance. We are contantly amazed at the rapid changes in our girl now that she is nearing 1 year old, which is another issue that Mommy is not dealing well with. It is so exciting to see her growing more everyday, but a little heart-breaking at the same time.

Valentine Dinner

2008-02-09T20:41:00.000-06:00

Our agency hosted a Valentine's Dinner at our church tonight. All money raised from the dinner benefited OrphanCare, which is a program supported by our agency that helps children in various countries who are waiting for a family. Evelyn seemed to really enjoy herself--especially when she did the Chicken Dance with Daddy. Of course, our BFF's Owen and Avery were there to add to the fun. Evelyn loved seeing them along with Miss Tammy, who is our social worker. It was a fun-filled evening that helped touch many lives.

Big Snow

2008-02-01T17:32:00.000-06:00

Lucky us--we got about 8 inches of snow last night! Of course, Mommy was happy to have a snow day to spend at home with Evelyn, but Daddy did as well! So after shoveling the driveway and letting the sun begin to melt some snow away this afternoon, we headed out into the powdery white world. It was Evelyn first time to really get in the snow and touch it. She is truly her mother's child--after a couple of minutes of looking at it and one touch, she was done with the stuff! I think her philosophy of snow is like mine--it is pretty to look at in a snowglobe!

Feeling Toothy!

2008-01-19T07:40:00.000-06:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks in our household. Daddy started back to law school, Mommy started back to school, and Evelyn showed her first tooth! Of course, Daddy said he knew it was coming, but keep in mind that he has been saying that since she came home in July. Also, Evelyn is starting to be more mobile. While she isn't up on all fours all the time, she sure can get where she is going VERY quickly. Let the fun begin!

Passing Our Exams

2008-01-04T16:48:00.000-06:00

No, we haven't heard how Daddy did on his law school exams, but Evelyn took a couple this week! On the 2nd, she went to the optometrist for an InfantSee eye exam. It is a free service provided by certain optometrists in the area. Dr. Weigel was wonderful and Evelyn did very well--no crying! In fact, she kept trying to grab different items that he possessed. Evelyn passed the eye exam with flying colors! The next night, our PAT person came for a visit and administered a developmental assessment on Evelyn. Since she was so premature, she administered the exam as if Evelyn was an 8 mo. old baby. Evelyn did very well in the fine and gross motor areas, but was a little behind in the language dept. While we weren't surprised by it, it was still a little disappointing to hear. Our PAT person reassured us that Evelyn was on track and that we are doing all the right things. She also explained that most babies focus on one area of development at a time, so we shouldn't worry. All in all, we are very pleased with her growth and development. We can't get over how much she has changed in such a short amount of time. If only this stage of life lasted a little bit longer...

Date Night

2008-01-01T18:48:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Grandma Donna, Mommy and Daddy were able to enjoy a night out on Dec. 30th. We attended an Indianapolis Colts game. Mommy was very excited to see Peyton Manning in person!! We actually spent most of the afternoon in Downtown Indy before the game began. Of course, Mommy did some shopping--he he!! Then we were off to the RCA Dome for the final season game there (there is a new stadium being built for the team). Our seats were fabulous! We were on the 50 yard line and in Row 23. The Colts played the Tennessee Titans (could this have been any better for Mommy?). Though Peyton Manning only played for the first quarter, it was such fun to watch in person. In the end, Tennessee won (totally fine for Mommy, who is still a TN girl at heart)to secure a spot in the playoffs. Of course, Peyton Manning and the Colts were already secured a spot prior to the game. It was a fun-filled evening for us, but we were a little anxious to get back to our little angel!

Christmas in Indiana

2007-12-28T15:12:00.001-06:00

Once again, we hit the highway for the holiday season. We traveled to IN to visit Grandma Donna, Grandma Jill, and the Grandfather. On Christmas Eve, Evelyn donned her Santa outfit and made her way over to the presents and ripped off a bow and some ribbon. Turns out, ribbon is as much fun as ripping off the paper! Then, Christmas morning, Evelyn donned her red dress and opened presents. Her new favorite toy seems to be the sound stage that Santa brought to Grandma Donna's house. It has everything that she loves--a mirror to admire herself in, lights that flash, and music! Of course, Santa Dog visited Mindy again and she loved her new bone! Later that afternoon, we headed up to Grandma Jill's for more Christmas fun. After opening more presents, it was time to play ball with Grandma Jeanna and Aunt Abby. Evelyn loved it! In the evening, Cousin Heidi and her husband, Christopher, stopped by to visit along with Cousin Heather, her oldest son, Trent, and newest family member, Blake. Little Miss Social (Evelyn) loved meeting them and ate up the attention (as usual). Christmas was a blast for her, but as you see, it wore her out! She cuddled up with the Grandfather for a nap and dreamed about Christmases to come.

First Christmas

2007-12-22T18:46:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Evelyn's first Christmas tonight since we will be traveling this holiday season. Mindy opened her stocking from Santa Dog first, then Evelyn had her turn. She immediately ripped off the bows and tried to eat them, then seemed to eagerly rip the wrapping paper to get to her gifts (or was it Daddy who was so eager?). She loved trying to eat the rings and blocks from her toys. Afterwards, we headed downstairs for a ride on her new car/walker. She absolutely LOVES riding on it--thank you to the Garrettes for the gift. We hope this holiday finds everyone well and that the new year will bring you many blessings. As you know, we have been richly blessed with a Korean angel. Merry Christmas!

Meeting Santa

2007-12-08T16:01:00.000-06:00

Evelyn met Santa for the first time this morning at our PAT's Frosty and Friends event. She loved getting on her festive outfit this morning--you could tell she instantly felt pretty in it! We headed over to the event and met Santa first thing. We weren't sure how she would react as we watched several other children cry and refuse to go up to him, but in true Evelyn style, she went right to him and smiled the whole time. After visiting with Santa, we headed down the hall for some winter time fun. The PAT had a special room for children B-12 mos. that had activities such as making an accordian book to help build visual skills, sledding around the room, and tummy time with water bottles filled with winter items. Evelyn even met a couple other children and seemed excited to interact with them. It was a fun-filled morning for our little angel!

Thanksgiving in Hayti

2007-11-25T13:38:00.001-06:00

On Wednesday evening, we packed up the Pathfinder and headed to Hayti. Since we left around 7:00 p.m., Evelyn slept the entire way there--so we were the picture of one big happy family traveling down the interstate! When she awoke on Thanksgiving morning, Grandma Cheryl couldn't wait for Evelyn to open a present, so she got a head start on Christmas! Once she opened a gift, we headed over to Aunt Kathy's for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast! Of course, Evelyn enjoyed seeing all the family that had come from Tennessee and the surrounding area to see her. The next day, we stayed close to Grandma's and opened more Christmas presents that evening. What do you know, Evelyn found the ornaments on the tree and decided to try one! Then, on Saturday, Aunt Gwindel came to say good-bye, but Evelyn was taking a nap. Later that day, Aunt Kathy and Aunt Sandy came to say good-bye. Early on Sunday morning, we packed up the Pathfinder again and headed for home. Again, Evelyn did very well and we were one big happy family traveling down the interstate.

Recovery Road

2007-11-11T06:19:00.000-06:00

Evelyn is back to the picture of health! Thanks to everyone who called and prayed for her. She has been feeling much better since Wed., but now Mommy is not so well. I think I have the virus that she caught. Luckily, it didn't really hit until Friday night and lasted most of the day on Sat. Mommy spent the day in bed and Daddy helped care for Evelyn (which I think they both loved the time together). By Sat. evening, Mommy was feeling much better and we ventured out to do some Christmas shopping. When we got home, it was time for Evelyn's bottle and Little Miss Independent decided she wanted to hold the bottle all by herself! We continue to be amazed at how fast she is growing and changing.

Sick Baby

2007-11-03T17:26:00.000-05:00

Evelyn has her first real illness and Mommy is worried! It began yesterday morning with an explosive diaper and has continued. She is having such explosions that it is running out of the diaper and onto her clothes. Also, she has vomited a few times. If it weren't for those two symptoms, you'd never know she wasn't her self. She is laughing, babbling, and playing like normal. I called the doctor's office this morning and they said since she wasn't running a fever (thank heavens for that) that we should give her Pedialite and reduce her food intake before rushing her into the office. We are trying it, but she doesn't seem too keen on the pedialite. Please pray that this ends soon--I am so worried about her dehydrating.

Halloween

2007-10-31T19:47:00.000-05:00

Tonight was Evelyn's first Halloween! Mommy rushed home from work to get Evelyn ready for her big night out. As you can see, she was the cutest ladybug ever! Her big hairy sister, Mindy, also got in on the costume action this year and dressed as a ladybug as well. This took a lot of convincing of the Daddy, but he finally agreed to it. You have to admit, they made quite the pair! It didn't take long though for our little bug to tucker out. I guess all the excitement was too much for her!

What A Weekend!

2007-10-28T17:34:00.000-05:00

It was another busy weekend in the Simmons' household. Actually, make that a busy, stressful week. Our normal daycare provider became very ill and we scrambled to find a backup. Thank heavens we were able to find someone very loving to help out in our time of need. Friday afternoon, the Grandfather (Kristina's dad) and two daughters (McKenzie and Abigail) came down for a visit. On Saturday, we attended our Sunday School class' annual fall picnic at Creve Couer Park. It was a beautiful, windy day and we had lots of great food and fun. Evelyn watched the geese intently as they came close to her. Saturday evening, Pop, Grandma Cheryl, and Aunt Kathy came for dinner. Then, Sunday morning, we all headed to church for Evelyn's dedication. Of course, Mommy dressed her to the hilt in a leopard print dress and matching hat. She listened to Dr. McAlpin with great awe as he spoke. Afterwards, the Grandfather, Kenzie, Abigail,Pop, Grandma Cheryl, and Aunt Kathy all left for home. We spent the rest of the weekend playing, laughing, and shopping for Halloween candy.

Latest News

2007-10-15T15:03:00.001-05:00

I forgot to mention that Evelyn went to see Dr. Reichert on Friday for her second round of immunizations. Being the new, paranoid mommy that I am, I expressed my worries about her not sitting up on her own yet. The good doctor reassured me that she is doing very well and not to worry--he tested her and said to give her a couple more weeks and she would have it down. Well, she is not sitting up on her own, but if we put her in the sitting position, she is able to sit up straight for about 5 minutes before tumbling over. It may not be much to some, but it is a proud moment in our home! Also, we learned that she is now 16 lbs. 8 oz. and 26 1/2 inches long--such a big girl!

Playgroup at the Park

2007-10-13T20:31:00.000-05:00

Today was a cool, cloudy and rainy day. But before the rain moved in, we met our Korean playgroup friends at a local park for some outdoor fun. It was Evelyn's first time at a playground and she seemed to really enjoy seeing all the kids running around having fun. Rob and I took her down the slide (she wasn't too sure about that) and on a swing, which she didn't like at all. Of course, Mommy felt she was getting cold and decided to bundle her up in a fleece blanket for warmth. We were only there for about one hour when the rain began to fall. So, we moved the playgroup to a local restaurant called J.J.'s. It was a day full of good food and friends.

Happy 30th, Leslie!

2007-10-06T20:22:00.001-05:00

Today was Leslie's 30th birthday and her husband hosted a surprise party for her! It has been hard to keep this a secret from her, but everyone seemed to help pull it off--even if she was suspicious at moments. It was a room full of family and friends as she celebrated this milestone. As you can see from the photos, Evelyn enjoyed herself at the party as well. She spent a lot of time playing with Jared. Of course, all of this partying wore her out, so we left around 6:30 to head for home where she could eat some cereal, take a bath, and hit the bed. Such is the life of a social butterfly!

Invasion at the Pumpkin Patch!

2007-10-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

Some of you may be wondering: Where is Rob in all the photos? Well, Daddy left at 6:00 AM to go to a race in Talladega, AL with our neighbors. So, while Daddy is away, Evelyn and Mommy will play! We headed over to a local pumpkin patch called Rombach's with our Korean playgroup friends. Yep, you guessed it, Owen and Avery were there along with Jared, Bailey, and Connor. Evelyn seemed to be interested in the big orange things all around, but mostly enjoyed seeing her friends. After about an hour, it was time to go. Mommy had to take some documents to be shredded at a shred event at a local bank. Once home, we put our pumpkin on the porch until time to carve it. Later this evening, we will be attending a party for a friend--so be watching for more photos to come!

P.S.
This was Mommy's first week back at work and we have survived! Of course, Evelyn did great, it was Mommy that had all the issues!

Dillon Picnic

2007-09-24T13:00:00.000-05:00

The Dillon picnic on Sunday was the perfect end to a busy, but fun weekend for our family. After church, we headed home for a quick wardrobe change and headed to Bierne Park for the picnic. When we arrived, we immediately spotted our friends, Owen, Avery, and Jared. While Daddy played with the boys on the playground, Evelyn and Avery hung out in their strollers together while the Mommies chatted. Eventually, we made our way to the gazebo for drinks and snacks. It was great to see so many adoptive families with their children running around and having fun. While at the picnic, all the families were treated to a Tae Kwan Do exhibition where the children were able to participate. Unfortunately, we had to leave a little early because Daddy needed to finish some homework for school. Oh, well--it was fun while it lasted!

First Birthday Party

2007-09-23T16:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Evelyn attended her first birthday party for our friend, Owen. It is hard to believe, but Owen turned 3 yrs. old yesterday. He had a monster truck theme for the party. He really loved opening gifts and asked to open more when he finished! Of course, Evelyn enjoyed seeing her friend Avery and getting lots of attention from everyone.

First Day of Daycare

2007-09-17T16:08:00.000-05:00

Well, today was Evelyn's first day at our daycare provider. It was a success! Both Evelyn and Mommy did not cry! In fact, Mommmy woke Evelyn up at 6:00 AM (which she has never done before) and got her dressed and fed her breakfast. Then, it was off to Miss Marty's house for a few hours! When we arrived, Evelyn was all smiles and went right to Miss Marty (big relief for Mommy). While Evelyn was there, Mommy went to school to observe her class for the morning. Those few hours apart were hard, but Mommy did well. When Mommy arrived to pick up Evelyn around noon, Evelyn was all smiles and the other children were eager to tell me how much they liked her. She will be going another day this week and then 3-4 days next week. We are trying to ease into this--Mommy's time at home is ending all too soon! We are so grateful to have someone we trust and know will love our little angel just as much as we do. Thank heaven for Miss Marty!

Playgroup Debut

2007-09-08T20:48:00.000-05:00

Evelyn had a busy day again today! After waking up at 8:00 a.m. and eating, we got dressed and went to the bank to open her first savings account! Evelyn seemed to really like holding onto her money and was reluctant to hand it over! Afterwards, we headed to McDonald's for her first Korean playgroup. Of course, our good friends, Owen, Avery, and Jared were there! She also got to meet Liam and Aidan, Bailey, and many other adoptive children. Evelyn seemed to enjoy this time and really liked it when Jared loved on "his girl."

PAT Visit

2007-09-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

Evelyn had her first PAT (Parents As Teachers) visit today! Miss Tara came out to our home this afternoon and played some games with Evelyn. Of course, Sleeping Beauty had to be awakened from her nap so she could visit with Miss Tara. Once we got passed all the informational paperwork, Evelyn enjoyed playing "So Big!", looking at herself in a mirror, and reading a book. Miss Tara said that all seems to be on track right now for Evelyn and gave mommy some ideas to encourage Evelyn to sit up more on her own. We'll see her again in November!

Labor Day 2007

2007-09-04T09:46:00.000-05:00

Evelyn had a very busy and fun Labor Day! The day began at 8:00 a.m. at the home of our friends, the Paynes. We met up with them, Jared, Kira, and Spencer to go apple picking at Eckert's in Grafton, IL. We took the Grafton Ferry across the river (mommy was a bit nervous) and drove about 10 minutes to the orchard. Once there, Rob and his buddies, Owen and Jared, took off to pick apples while Evelyn and Avery spent some time playing with each other. Jane spent most of the time helping Kira pick her apples. Afterwards, we headed back to MO and home. At 2:00 p.m., we had our annual court party. Evelyn enjoyed being outside with everyone and loved when Miss Beth put her in the grass for the first time! A little later, a kiddie pool was brought out and Evelyn donned her swimsuit. She enjoyed getting to splash around and cool off in the afternoon heat. At the end of the day, she was wiped out! Evelyn went to bed at 8:00 p.m. and didn't wake until 8:30 a.m.--what a peaceful night of sleep for us all!

Korean House

2007-08-31T09:58:00.000-05:00

Last night we met friends at a local restaurant that serves authentic Korean food. It was Evelyn's first trip to the restaurant and she seemed to enjoy seeing the other children. Of course, our dear friends, the Paynes, were there along with Jane, her mom, and her son Jared. We also met a new family that is visiting from OK. Kim and her daughter, Kira, and son, Spencer, are in for the holiday weekend. We all plan to meet on Monday and go apple picking at Eckert's Farm. It should be a beautiful day weatherwise and lots of fun!

Look Who's 6 Months Old!

2007-08-24T12:03:00.000-05:00

Where has the time gone? Evelyn has been with us for one full month already and is turning 6 mos. old today. While we are still introducing her to new foods, we had to take the carrots away. She developed a rash on her face and it has since disappeared. Since this is a weird food allergy, we may introduce it again later to rule out that it may have been the reaction to any lotions and such. Evelyn is still trying to figure out how to crawl--she digs her face down and scoots to move anywhere, and we are working on sitting up on our own. She gets it for about 2 seconds, then we tumble over. It will come though. In the meantime, she loves her tummy time with her big hairy sister, Mindy, watching over her and playing in the exersaucer. Our little girl is growing up before our very eyes!

Weekend Fun

2007-08-19T16:44:00.000-05:00

The weekend began with a fun playdate with our good friends, Owen and Avery. We went to Scott and Leslie's house for some ice cream and good times. It was so good to see Evelyn begin to interact with other children. She was very content on her tummy to watch Avery move all over the place (that girl gets around now that she is crawling!). Of course, Rob thoroughly LOVED getting to spend some time with his buddy, Owen.

On Sunday, we took Evelyn to church for the first time. She did so well! She took about a 30 minute nap during the church service and seemed to enjoy the music. Towards the end, she wanted to talk during prayer time, so Daddy and Mommy had to hush her--it was comical! Then, she went to Sunday School class with us and drank some of her bottle and took another 30 minute nap--the girl loves her sleep! Once home, Evelyn had her first taste of carrots. She wasn't too thrilled about them, but we aren't giving up yet. While most of it was on her bib, about half of it went into her belly. Hopefully, she will quickly acquire a taste for healthy eating!

Visit with Grandma Jill

2007-08-17T08:32:00.001-05:00

Grandma Jill arrived on Wednesday afternoon for a very brief visit with Evelyn! We are thankful that Uncle Donnie and Aunt Debbie were able to drive her to St. Louis for an overnight visit with her great granddaughter. It was a hectic evening as we had Tammy, our social worker, come for our first post placement visit. It went well, and after an hour visiting, Tammy left. Then, we all went to eat at Kitaro. Evelyn was a trooper through the showy dinner. We finally got home and in bed around 9:30, which is a little off her schedule. The next morning, Grandma Jill, Uncle Donnie, and Aunt Debbie headed back to Indiana. The visit was much too short, but we are glad that they got to come and stay for a little bit.

First Road Trip

2007-08-14T08:39:00.001-05:00

Over the past weekend, we had our first road trip to visit family in Hayti. Evelyn did very well considering it took about 3 hours to get there. She only fussed a little towards the last hour of the trip. Once there, we had the chance to visit with extended family from Tennessee and Arkansas. On Saturday, Rob and I were once again overwhelmed by the love and support of our family and friends at a baby shower hosted by the women at First Baptist Church of Hayti. The Lord has truly blessed our family with such special and wonderful people. Of course, Evelyn was the hit of the shower. She just laughed and smiled as everyone spoke of how sweet and cute she is (which her mommy and daddy already knew because we are biased)! It was a wonderful time. Perhaps the most special moment of the weekend was when Evelyn met Rob's grandmother, whom she is named after. It was such a joy to see Grandma's face light up when she saw Evelyn at the nursing home. Of course, she had to have all the nurses stop in to see her great granddaughter!

Our Big Girl!

2007-08-07T09:01:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was our first visit to the doctor! Mommy was nervous, but Evelyn was a pro! The nurse took the measurements and wow! Evelyn is now 14 lbs. and 9 oz. and is 24 inches long. Of course, she flirted with Dr. Riechert--heaven help us as she gets older! He gave us the okay to introduce rice cereal to her along with some fruits and veggies in the coming weeks. So, last night she gave the cereal a try. I think more ended up on her daddy and her face rather than her tummy, but she seemed to like it okay. Hopefully her willingness to try new things will continue!

Busy Days

2007-08-05T19:59:00.001-05:00

After saying good-bye to family, Evelyn has had her first play group experience and more overnight visitors. On Friday, we met our friend Natalie and her son, Mason, at the mall for some shopping, which Evelyn loved! Afterwards, we headed back to our home and Bethany came over with her son, Jacob. The three of them had some fun playing with each other and the mommies enjoyed the time to chat! The next evening, Damon and his wife, Lulu, came for a brief visit. They are moving back to the area and we can't wait for them to move here! Evelyn seemed to really like Damon as she kept smiling at him the entire time he was here. Such a little flirt!

On another note, Evelyn has mastered the art of rolling onto her tummy (heaven help us!). She gets frustrated when she isn't able to go anywhere from that point. She also has her first doctor's appointment tomorrow morning. Pray that all goes well and that mommy doesn't have a melt down if her little one cries!