Kwa Heri! Baadaye!!

Last year, in June, my parents left the country to head to Kenya. I thought they were insane leaving the month before their first grandbaby was due, but we knew God had called them there and we were trusting that they'd be home before Evey made her appearance.

This year, they decided to stay longer than last... They planned a trip for an entire month.

For anyone who's ever talked to me before, they know that I'm a mommy's girl. I've never spent a whole month away from my mom, but, again, God had called them, so away they went.

Evey and I woke up bright and early on June 3rd to meet my parents at the airport. We got there by 5am. Just in time to say good-bye, or "Kwa Heri" if you will. I am definitely missing my mommy and daddy, but they're having a great time doing all the things they felt led to do!

Waving good-bye to Mimi and Mipa.

We've had a couple of Skyping opportunites since they've been gone. The first time, Evey was with her Auntie Ali for the day and they said she was reaching through the computer to get to her Mimi. The reception in Makutano, however, isn't very clear. We weren't able to use video at the same time and couldn't talk while we used the video feature. The phone feature worked perfectly, so at least we got to talk a bit!

Finch Reunion

 

To get you to understand this blog, I have to start at the beginning... literally. Both of my parents families are small. My dad had 3 siblings and my mom only had 2. I always wanted a huge family, perhaps because mine seemed so small. Not that small is bad. I love spending time with my with my extended family. I love knowing that I'm a part of something and what is better than family?!? When I married Christopher, I was thrilled to be able to say I was a part of his family. On his dad's side, I gained a grandmother, a great aunt, two aunts and uncles and five cousins.

His mom's side confirmed everything in me that wanted a large family. Cathy was one of five children and we have so much fun at family reunions! After all the marriages, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Evey and Harrison made numbers 36 and 37! Between girlfriends and boyfriends, that number is ever growing. The crazy part is how close they all are! The Finch's are definitely not your average American family, but who wants to be normal?

Renee and I announced that we were pregnant at the Finch Christmas celebration, a year and a half ago. In a crowd that big, of course we weren't the first... or the second... Meemaw and Pepaw Finch were gaining FOUR great-grandchildren in one year! The first, Quentin was born on Gordon's birthday in March. The second, Cara, was born July 1st and Evey and Harrison were born July 28th and 29th! What an amazing year it was for the Finch family!

Cathy's only sister, Paula and her family live in Virginia. Even though they live so far away, they still stay in touch and are just as close-knit as the rest of the family. Renee was able to go to them to introduce Harrison in the fall, but Christopher and I had been wondering when we'd get the chance to finally introduce Evey to the last bit of her family. I know Aunt Paula had been dying to meet her as well! Over memorial day, she finally made it to town. So we packed our bags for the day and made our way to Bardstown for a mini-reunion!

When we arrived, Evey hadn't slept. That is abnormal. Typically, she falls asleep as soon as we hit the interstate. If you've spent time time with Evey, or followed my blog, you know she's a Momma's girl. Over the past month, she's starting to out-grow her stranger-danger anxieties, but on that day she was in rare form. She was tired from screaming for an hour in the car. She was hungry and she just wanted me. We coerced her into Paula's lap with a baked-bean-bribery and after that she was set.

Paula knew the way into my girl's heart!



We still have a couple Finch birds to introduce Evey to, but that will come with time! (AKA: Rebekah, Paul and George need to come with Paula on the next visit!!) We had a blast. The day was gorgeous, in the shade and the company was great!

Nana spoiled Evey and Harrison and gave them their first High-Fructose-Corn-Syrup-Pop. They loved it!

Evey was drenched in orange all the way through her diaper, so we slapped on a swimsuit and plopped her in the pool! 

Not only was this the first time Evey got to meet her Great-Aunt Paula, but it was the first time we had all 2012 babies together. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I... the Mom who takes thousands of pictures... did not get a picture of all four of them. Cara was born with loads of dark brown hair. It's hard to believe that she's only a month older than E.

Quentin and Evey got to meet at Christmas this year. and he was pulling up to stand. Physically, he was where Evey is now... it was neat to see how much he'd grown! I also came home without a picture of Quentin's face. Good thing I've got some family to steal photos from!



The Best Way to Do a Summer Mommy-hood...

Just like last year, I spent Memorial Day weekend lounging at the pool. Only, this time was a little bit different! Instead of having my "Tiny Dancer" swimming inside me, we had a splashing, kicking, laughing dancer on the outside! Honestly, I'm not sure which one I enjoyed more.

Last year's trip to the pool was much easier, and much, much more relaxing. But having Evey with us this year was just so much fun! She has always loved the water and this was her first time swimming in an outdoor pool.

My plan was to hit the Y pool, but we were gratefull when Ellen and Mark, invited us over to their apartment complex for a pool-date. The Y would be insane; over-run with hyper-active children fresh on their out-of-school highs and ready to splash water everwhere, including Evey's face.

She had so much fun. We'd packed up her bath toys to take with us, although I think Christopher and Mark enjoyed playing with them more than Evey did! Evey just had a blast splish-splashing!

We went swimming Friday afternoon, and then went back on Monday... We couldn't get enough!!

Evey's Mimi brought her a boat float and she was able to play in the pool on her own! Evey LOVED being able to swim independently. She loved it so much that when we deflated the float to pack for vacation, she cried because she thought it was going away for good! Too cute!!