Milestones: Five Months

Evey keeps astonishing me as each month passes. Her hand-eye coordination is impecible to the point that she can hit a toy she's holding against one hanging above her to make the same noise repetitively.

As you can see by her pictures, she's at the stage where everything she touches goes straight to her mouth, except her toes. She loves playing with her feet, but doesn't chew on them yet. Her favorite toys are her crinkle-paper book, her Eric Carle lion, which I call Leo, and of course... my tervis tumbler.

She loves to read and touch the pictures on the books. Evey night we read "Time for Bed" by Mem Fox and she loves to touch the different animals.

She loves to sing, and while she still loves Secondhand Serenade (which consequently is playing in the other room as I blog) her favorite song this month is "This Little Light of Mine". She sings and giggles whenever I sing it to her. She also has fallen in love with "Blue Christmas" by the King it always make her smile when I sing "Ho. Ho. Ho. Who wouldn't go? Ho. Ho. Ho. Who wouldn't go up on the house-top? Click, click, click. Down through the chimney with good St. Nick." (That's my trick for getting so many smiles on camera!!)

I'm proud to say that she's still a mommy's girl. I'm her favorite person to the point where it's hard for me to get anything done. Even if Christopher takes her from me, she starts to scream. At daycare, I sit her down in her turtle (a soft little play area shaped like a turtle) and play with her and once she's distracted I dart out the door. I hate to see her cry, but I can't always come to her rescue so sometimes Papa's and grandparents have to deal with a screaming girl even if I'm right across the room. It breaks my heart to see her cry, but I want her to realize that she's safe with other people and that she can be soothed by people other than me.

If I'm not around, she plays hard and sleeps well! If I'm around and she's with me, then she's the happiest girl in the world!

She learned to reach this month, which makes it even harder. How can I say no to that sweet crying face with outstretched arms?!? I have to admit that, even though it may be inconvenient at times, I love knowing that I'm the one that she wants!

She can sit on her own now. She's been doing it since November, but we've been watching the time get longer and longer. She has so much core strength and can even pull to stand from sitting in our laps. She's rolled over a couple of times, ussually if she's on a slight incline, but doesn't really make that much of an effort to. She'd rather stand all the time.

At daycare, she's still one of the smallest (possibly the smallest, I'm not 100% sure) and they tease because she likes to be carted around on the hip. It definitly feels weird to have such a small baby propped on my side, but I don't mind... It's less to carry around!

She likes to look around and take everything in.

Bathtime!

Evey has always loved her bathtime. We still bathe her in the kitchen sink, but she plays in the faucet and sprayer and she likes to drink the water. She just chills, and we take our time. When we're done, her skin is all wrinkly, like a cute, little raisin!!

Full of Thanks

I'm running a bit behind on my blogging this month! December has been a little bit crazy, but this one is important, so I needed to write it down!

What an amazing year this has been for our family! Last year at this time, we found out that we were finally getting our hearts desire... Our little girl has blessed our lives more than words could ever express. Even after all this time, I still look at her and cry because she is that incredible. I can't help but stare - and she stares right back. Even though she may not understand how to say "I love you" I can tell she does. Those big smiles and bright eyes give her away. My world revolves around her and I could not be more grateful for the gift of life that God has placed in our care!

God also gave Christopher and I both new jobs this year. They are both closer to home and allow us to spend more time with our rotten little squirt. We had talked about Christopher searching for a new job over the summer, but if he couldn't find anything, our plan was for him to return to Louisville Collegiate School. I hated for him to have such long days and to be away from Evey and I so much, but you do what you have to for your family. Thankfully, Christopher, got an interview for Immanuel Baptist Church while I was in labor and, even though I couldn't have cared less at the time, I am so glad that the opportunity came available. He started work at the Solid ROC Cafe when Evey was only 8 days old and that has helped us so much, that I was able to quit my job of six years and move to a part-time position for our chiropractor's office. Now, I am able to spend more time with the girl, and Christopher doesn't have to drive 3 hours each day to get to work. We know for sure that God orchestrated the whole process and it feels good to have our family exactly where we're supposed to be.

We officially joined Vineyard Community Church, and through that, we have connected with so many new friends. We've been attending Vineyard regularly for almost 3 years, but have never felt like we needed to become a part of the Core. This year, we felt, without a doubt, that this was where we wanted to raise our children.

So, our lives have literally been turned upside-down this year, but in the best way possible. We are so thankful for all of the changes that have been made, and it has made our little family even more tight-knit.

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Thanksgiving is always a busy day for our family, but it's so worth it! We spent the morning at Christopher's grandmother's house with his family and of course, had a HUGE traditional Thanksgiving meal. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, but Christopher's dad took some pictures that I may be able to post later. That afternoon, we went to my aunt's house for a second Thanksgiving meal. Evey did so good that day - especially with being passed around from person to person all day! What can I say, though. At four months old - you'll always be a hot commodity!

Evey with her Great-Grand-Nanny and her Nanny loved that they both had Turkey shirts on!
Evey's said "Mommy's Little Turkey".
Nanny's said "Gobble 'Till You Wobble" and I told her she needed to quit gobbling!

My big girl can't wait to move around on her own. She's so independent already!

My cousin's son, Clayton, wasn't sure about "the baby," but he wanted to hold her. It was so funny to see him with her! (Also, check out his boots...)

This is part of the mess that Hazel Lee Rachel McDowell-Hughes-Johns-Underwood created. We most definitley missed the other parts that are in the Afghanistan and Florida.

I had bought a little onesie for E to wear at Thanksgiving, but the Sunday before I found the cutest dress online and decided to order it. Talk about timing. The owner of Livvy Lou's Boutique in NY went out of her way to get the dress and hairbow in the mail on Monday, but, of course, it didn't arrive in time. No matter, though! She looked adorable on Thanksgiving, and we had a second Thanksgiving with my family that Saturday to show off her new dress. Then she wore her outfit to daycare that Monday, so it was definitely worth the effort!!

My girl is so happy!!! That smile is like gold to me!



Laughing at her Papa and me. She thinks we're so funny... I can't wait to embarass her later!!



We call this her "coy" face. This one's going kill the boys later, and I'm okay with that!

Our "second" Thanksgiving meal will become a tradition in the Davis household. My favorite breakfast meal - Eggs Benedict - which I wanted last year, but couldn't eat because the raw eggs weren't good for the little you-know-who I was carrying! My mom, dad and sister were the only ones who could make it, but the meal was great and the company was even better!

Evey and I are kissing each other. I kiss her cheeks with a long, drawn-out kissing sound and she opens her mouth as wide as she can an turns to face me. She knows what kisses are, and I love getting that kind of slobbery love!

 

For her whole life...

I took Evey to Sears to have her portrait made  in her "Belle" dress the day before her dedication!

On November 13th, we had Evey dedicated to the Lord. It was such a special day, filled with support by family and friends and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Last November, when we found out we were pregnant, we immediately began praying over our child. We prayed for health and proper development. We prayed that I would be srong enough to carry the baby to full term. We prayed that we would be good parents, and that we would be able to give our child back to God when it was the right time. When we found out we were having a little girl, we prayed that the Lord would bless her and keep her, make His face to shine upon her and be gracious to her. We prayed that He would lift up His countenance upon her and give her peace.

On the wall of the entry way to Central Baptist's L&D, they have 1 Samuel 1:26-27 written out, and as soon as I'd heard it, I knew that this was supposed to be my prayer for my daughter throughout her life.

"I have prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted my request. Now I give her over to the Lord. For her whole life, she will be given over to the Lord."

It was at that point that I became excited about the day Christopher and I could have our daughter dedicated. I knew that Evey was just "on loan" and that she truly belonged to God. I am ever grateful that He has entrusted this precious little life to Christopher and I, knowing that she will be raised to walk in His ways.

When I found out that our church, Vineyard, was having a child dedication service, I couldn't wait to sign up. This event was so important to me, and I needed to make sure Evey was a part of it. I invited all of our closest friends and family. I felt that the people who would be an intregal part of raising Evey needed to be there to know the decision we had made for our daughter and to support us. I have never felt as loved as I did that afternoon. I kept whispering in Evey's ear that I hope she realizes one day exactly how many people love her. It was amazing to have so much support!

I dressed Evey to the nines... of course... in a cute little taffeta dress that I call her "Belle" dress because it reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. Her Great-Grandnanny had bought it for her with this day in mind. Unfortunately, it was so hot in the sanctuary, she spent most of the service with the ruffles around her shoulders and her back and tummy exposed! Needless to say, she wasn't the happiest camper, and evenutally I just stripped her down to let her cool off.

When it was Evey's turn to be dedicated, the seats emptied out with the family and friends who had come. Everyone laughed, because the church rows were so empty. The altar was completely full with the people who became testaments to what we were doing for our daughter.

Evey saying "Hi" to her Great-Grandnanny.
I've never seen such a proud Great-Grandmother!

Our children's pastor, Karen Holm-Hudson.



Thanks to all the loved ones who supported our decision to dedicate Evey! Your presence meant the world to Christopher and I! (Including Becky, Naomi and Lucy Colliver who aren't pictured and all those who weren't able to be there, but supported us from afar!) We love you all.



 

My sweet God-Daughter, Lucy!

Playtime!

I have to admit that,while having Evey as a newborn was so amazing, it's just getting better with time. I loved the constant snuggling and the sounds she made as she slept in my arms when she was fresh out of the oven. Now that she's older, she's still snuggly, but she's so much more playful. We have officially graduated from the "pet rock" stage to an "interactive pet rock" and I love it!

She loves talking to herself in the mirror and it's so cute knowing that she doesn't recognize that it's her she's talking to. Apparently, that won't start happening until she hits the terrible two's!

She's so independent now and likes to spend time in her bouncy chair and on her playmat. It amazes me how strong and coordinated she is. One afternoon (before I got home from work... darn) she picked her rattle up and accidentally hit it against one of the links hanging from her mat. Christopher said she figured out where the new sound came from quickly and then began deliberately hitting the link with the rattle, over and over, in order to recreate it. According to thebump.com and other books I've read, she is way above the bar on the hand-eye coordination front... hey, I'm a new mom! I have to brag on how awesome my little girl is!