The Accidental Boilermaker

Meredith and Jeremy spent the day in Fort Wayne.  Jeremy had a talk for work earlier in the day nearby.  We hung out at home where Meredith read books to Evelyn and practiced counting.  Then we checked out a local coffee shop. The barista brought of us samples of their signature shake so Evelyn got her first taste of caffeine.  I think she liked it. After coffee, we went to Sweetwater, an absolutely huge guitar/music store.  Evelyn was much more interested in the free arcade games.  She got to play her first game of ping pong and her first round of golf. Just being silly with Aunt Meredith.

So far, it has been a good week.  Nate has been in HR training everyday but today is his last day. Tuesday I had a prenatal visit.  I liked my new doctor and he said the baby's heart beat sounded strong.  The ultrasound is next Tuesday. Today Evelyn and I checked out the library and went to story time.  They have a nice children's section with lots of different toys. This story time is geared toward 18-36 month olds so lots of songs and movement in addition to the story.  Evelyn seemed to catch on quick to most of the activities. After story time is over, you can stay and color or play with the musical instruments.  I was also able to get a library card despite having an out-of-state drivers license and no proof of a local address so we came home with a few new books.

We made it to Indiana!  Evelyn helped supervise loading the truck on Sunday and then my parents arrived later in the day to help with last minute packing, cleaning, and the big drive. Evelyn had her 18 month check-up on Monday.  She weighed 22 lbs 7.5 oz (46th percentile) and was 33 inches long (82nd percentile).  The doctor said she went through a big growth spurt.  She also got to hang out at the hotel pool. Tuesday we hit the road.  Nate drove the truck, my dad drove with Penny, and then me, my mom and Evelyn were together. We all had uneventful drives and arrived to Fort Wayne in one piece. Pat and Paul arrived Wednesday morning and Evelyn was so determined to help unload the truck. She brought packing paper to the back of the garage,  carried a plunger into the house, swept out the truck, and  and helped put together the table. Evelyn also did a good job of reading her Aunt Katherine a nap...

It's been a busy and sad last week in Virginia.  On Monday, my patients threw me a surprise baby shower.  I was so blown away I didn't even think it grab my phone, so you'll have to settle for a picture of a picture.  It was a lovely shower and I was overwhelmed by their kindness. On Wednesday, my co-workers put together a going-away/baby shower lunch which was also super nice.  These are absolutely the best cupcakes ever. Thursday, Nate took Evelyn and I to his favorite restaurant, Cafe Asia.  Evelyn got to try out the chopsticks. Then for dinner, we had one last get together with our good friends Ashley and Brandon.  Harper let Evelyn play with her dolls in the baby pool. Today was my last day at work and Evelyn's last day at daycare.  I am actually more sad about daycare than I am about work.  Evelyn really seems to love daycare and her teachers always have such positive things to say about her.  I'm going to have to c...

Friday night we had a bonfire to celebrate the end of Nate's fellowship.  The weather was perfect, overcast and cool.  It was nice to just relax with some good friends that we are going to miss. Saturday we packed.  But Sunday we drove out to Claytor Lake for a work picnic with the rehab department.   Evelyn got to go on her first pontoon ride! She loved it, especially watching the waves behind the boat. After watching all the big kids jump off the boat, we let Evelyn take a little dip in the lake.

Happy 30th birthday to me!  It was really a pretty normal day.  We may go out for dinner next week to celebrate birthday and the end of work for me and Nate.  Yesterday, Evelyn and I did some shopping and one of our stops was at a chocolate shop in Roanoke where I treated myself to a box of chocolates.  You only turn 30 once. Baby bump pictures after dinner.  Evelyn wanted to be in some. 30 years old, 16 weeks

Evelyn is a 18 months old today.  It's hard to come up with definitive things that are different this month from last.  Her vocabulary has grown, but not her taste for vegetables.  She also seems to understand what Nate and I tell her better, which is really nice when she listens and does what we ask.  She loves to color, play with bubbles, and take walks to check the mail.  Yesterday after taking out the garbage, we walked out to the few remaining apple trees on the farm and picked an apple.  Evelyn really enjoyed it.

Nate surprised me with a trip to an local artist's home to pick out an original painting for my birthday present. The picture will also serve as a beautiful way to remember our time in Virginia.  Afterward, we stopped to walk around downtown Blacksburg once last time.  And we got some frozen yogurt.  Ps> if this post looks different it's because our laptop pooped out and I'm blogging from my phone.