Merry Christmas 2008

"Two Month" Checkup

Today was Eva's "two month" check up - she'll actually be two months on Christmas Day so we went a week early. I have been dreading this appointment for weeks as I knew this was the first round of shots. If anyone knows how skittish I am about shots then you'll understand why this was so hard on me. But I kept telling myself that its best for Eva and that's all that got me through it. E did great though. She was all smiles before the nurse came in (obviously not aware of what was about to happen). Then she got her oral vaccine which she took well and then came the 3 shots in the legs. Good thing she has gained some weight and had fat on her thighs. She cried the worst cry I have ever heard from her for about 5 minutes and then fell asleep. Its 9 pm now and she has seriously only woken up twice to eat since we got home at 3:30. So she's doing well (as seen in the picture) and of course survived... more than that Jon and I survived with only a few tears between the three of us. 

The highlight of the appt though were the stats below:

As of today (Dec 17):

Weight: 9 lbs 4 oz!!!!!

Length: 21"

Head Circ: 14.8"

These measurements moved her from the 10th to the 40th percentile!! So we're still on the small side but have really caught up over the past 5 weeks!! Thank the Lord for a perfectly healthy baby!

We will go back when she's 4 months old to do the above all over again!

Visit with Ho Ho

This past Friday, Dec 12th we took Eva up to the Fayetteville mall for her first visit with Santa (or Ho Ho as my niece Abby would call him). She slept through the whole thing but it made for some dang cute pictures! What a fun tradition with such a great Santa!!!

28 Years Later

I couldn't resist posting this more to document than anything. 

Of course its a sweet picture but the reason is better. 

Tonight after Eva's bath I decided to go ahead and get in the Christmas mood with Eva. This is my precious little angel in the same pajamas I wore on my first Christmas! They fit her so perfectly so I must have been a bigger baby (since I would have only been 3 weeks and she is 6). I thought the memory was worth sharing with you all. I am so glad the PJ's were saved even if just for a picture!

So here's an early Merry Christmas from Eva!

Eva Smiles!

One of the greatest joys of motherhood so far has been seeing this little face light up. This week Eva has hit a big milestone... she's smiling on her own. Its so neat to look at her and smile and have her smile back. Of course I have seen this smile when she's sleeping but to know she's smiling because Jon or I are smiling at her, rubbing her face or just because she recognizes us is an amazing feeling. 

Here is what I got to look at today while relaxing on the couch. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Recognizing Mommy smiling at me...

Which caught my attention...

Then let out the biggest grin! Just melted my heart!

6 Weeks Old

HAPPY 6 WEEKS OLD, 

EVA BETH! 

We Love You,

Mommy & Daddy

Our Latest Discovery

Thanks to our friends at Baby Einstein, we have a new favorite activity - our Discovery Mat! The swing is fun and trust me, a lifesaver, but the most fun is now had on our new mat! Gerritt mentioned that she'd be able to enjoy it now so Saturday morning before they left, we broke it out and to my delight, and Eva's, it was a hit! She just lays there during her awake time and grins and loves the blinking sunshine. She tries to reach for the toys and of course gazes at her beauty in the little mirror. Its so much fun to watch and so glad she loves it. Every new Mom needs one of these so Donna, add it to your "must have list" because this is near the top of mine now!

Eva's First Thanksgiving

Eva's first Thanksgiving started off just as I'd wished- we sat on the couch and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. So she may have slept through it, I sure enjoyed the moment. We had a great day with lots of family in town and sharing the day with us. Lauren and Josh came up. Ron, Gerritt and Abby came up and then Mom and Kim came over. Lots of helpers and lots of laughs! There is so much for us to be thankful for that I couldnt dare try and list them all. But without sounding cliche - the Whittakers are extremely thankful for our family, our friends, our jobs, our health and for the arrival our little angel. We're looking forward to this next year and all that God has in store for us! 

Eva's Thanksgiving meal with Mimi

Me and my precious neice, Abby

Eva hanging our with her Uncle Ron while we were all getting ready for lunch

The misfit table ;-) in action. All in all a Thanksgiving success!

Eva is One Month Old

I cant believe Eva Beth is one month old today. I feel like she's been in our life forever. At the same time, the past month has flown by! So much has happened and she's grown so much. We really feel so blessed to have such a good baby and thank the Lord everyday for her.

Here is just a quick snapshot of her progress. 

• We now have a favorite toy, Eva discovered her swing and now enjoys it more than the bouncy seat which means Mom and Dad are enjoying it as well. 
  
• As of Sunday she had officially grown out of her preemie clothes and preemie diapers! We've graduated to newborn (yes, the 0-3 m stuff is still too big). She weighed in Saturday at a whopping 6 lbs 13 oz. We are so proud she's healthy and gaining weight. 
  
• We have a little bit of a gassy tummy that we're working through but otherwise she's really a perfect angel. Ok so she's a perfect angel even with the gas. 
  
• Eva sleeps 4 hours at a time at night and spends more time awake with us during the day. 
  
• She still loves car rides and still doesn't care much for bath time but she definitely is still 90% her daddy! 
  
• I think she has Momma's mouth but thats about it. I guess I am ok with that ;-) At least we now know Jon makes a pretty girl!
  

Of course I have to add some pictures I snapped Sunday of our little angel. She makes the cutest faces and makes it so fun to take pictures! Now I cant wait to see how the "real" ones that Reagan and Brooke took turn out! 

Watching TV on the couch with Mom & Dad on a lazy Sunday afternoon

Ok this is Eva's "blue steel" face- I love how she always has her hands by her face but this was perfect of her posing

You know I have to post her funny faces too

And here is our precious angel napping after her impromptu Christmas photo shoot 

(I should also note I took this picture from my lap because I had Jon asleep on the couch while Eva slept in my lap and Molly & Gabby were asleep on the floor. I didnt move for 2 hours afraid to wake anyone up. I got to just look at my family and enjoy my 4 most perfect and good blessings)

Funny Faces

So Aunt Lauren came up Saturday to spend some quality time with Eva and help me since Jon left for Q School. While I was back in my room getting ready they apparently had a little photo shoot. I downloaded the pictures today to find the cutest, funniest faces of the prettiest girl in the world! Thought they would make you all smile as much as they did me. Thanks Aunt Lauren for the pictures and for the help!

Happy Happenings

This week seemd to fly by. Other than sleeping when she sleeps, trying to get out and about some, Ammie left to go back home Thursday which left Jon and I on our own for two days plus an indefinite number of hours of just staring at our darling angel...Here are some of the events of the week. 

Ok so I am pretty obsessed with watching Eva sleep. She's so cute with her little hands up by her face.

Heather came over Monday night to see Eva and bring us yummy chicken and dumplings! We love her and cant wait to see her again soon!

Our dear friends (Sallie's parents) Rich & Renee came by to love on our sweetie! We are so glad they were able to come and visit. Lots of fun times with the girls to look forward to.

Christy was a natural with baby Eva! We enjoyed our Chick-fil-a from Christy, Steve and Vilay from my office. I do miss them a bunch!

Told you I take pictures of her funny sleep positions! This one is just like me with one arm over her head. The funny thing is that in all her ultrasounds she was doing the same thing.

You cant see it but Jon had just given me a sweet ring for Eva's birth. Because she came early it wasnt ready until today. Well worth the wait! I am so blessed!

1 week thoughts

All of my posts have been focused on visitors and showing off my sweet Eva but wanted to take a minute and really reflect on this past week. Sorry if I am rambling but you're dealing with an emotional new Mom. What can you expect? :-)

Never in a million years would I have thought you could love someone so much. Its like all the Jon and I have for each other is just being poured out to this little miracle. Everyone told me that motherhood is the best and that you're going to experience a love like nothing else. I believed them but didn't comprehend it until I catch myself falling in love with her more everyday. I sit and stare at the wonder that God gave us. The responsibility we have to raise her, love her and make sure she's always safe and cared for. I tear up when I think about the fact that I was chosen to be her Mom. I feel so overwhelmed sometimes that I dont even know what to say. Jon said this morning I have been more quiet lately. I found that interesting because really there are a million things going through my mind everyday. All around the wonderment that is this sweet baby girl we have in our lives.

This first week has truly been unreal. She's been wonderful with everyone passing her around. For the most part she's sleeping well. The times she's choosing to sleep arent ideal but hey, she's happy so I try not to complain. She growing perfectly and seems just so happy to be with us that I cant think of anything else I'd rather be doing with my time. 

This whole motherhood thing really is incredible. Its like I had been waiting my whole life for this and didnt know it until I held her. I feel so complete with her in our lives. Like this is exactly the way my life is supposed to be. What a wonderful feeling to know that in the midst of God's plan for your life. 

With every cry, every diaper change, every grin, every outfit change and every snuggle I thank my lucky stars that Eva Beth is my daughter. As Jon and I sang "Happy 1 Week Birthday" to her last night at 10:57 I just gazed at my family and realized - this is what its all about.

More Visitors

What a great 1 week birthday present! Aunt G, Cousin Abby and Gerritt's parents (who we have decided are honorary aunt and uncle for sure) came up to spend some time with us. It was so special to see how much Abby loves baby Eva. She wanted to hold her and kiss her and play with her. She especially liked playing in her room! We had a great time at Jason's Deli, hanging at the house, the wonderful meal Carol made for us and then getting in some snuggle time Sunday morning before they had to head back. We are so blessed that Eva is so loved by her family and cant wait until the next time they're together! There will be lots of great memories with Eva and all her cousins. What a great weekend!

Happy Halloween

Eva wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

Time with Mimi

Wednesday night my Mom, Eva's Mimi, came by to love on her and of course we had to get pictures. She was so alert an then crashed - which is pretty typical. Check out their time together.

Eva's First Bath

Wednesday night was Eva's first bathtime. Mom was very excited about it because there is nothing better than the new baby smell and so I was ready to just snuggle with her and her bay lotioned self. It went so well. She wasnt too sure about it but afterward she sure sacked out and slept so well. So in my mind it was a success!

BFF's come to play

Eva has had so many visitors. It apparent to both Jon and I that this little girl is loved beyond reason. Today we had some of Eva's best friends come and play. Davis and Carley came to the hospital with Allyn to meet her Sunday but being in the hospital was a little scary to them. So being at the house was so sweet. They both loved holding her and giving her kisses! We are so excited to have them as friends.

So after they left, Evelyn brought Claire by so the girls could finally meet. Ev was in Arkadelphia when Eva was born so we were so excited to see them Wednesday. Even in 10 minutes you could tell they were going to be best buds. The picture isnt the best but they sure were cute together. And wow- I know she's tiny but Eva looked so small next to Claire and they're only 3 weeks apart. She's got some catching up to do :-)