3 Weeks

 

 

My little girl is 3 weeks old as of yesterday.  With this milestone I finally got her announcements sent out!  The actual pictures however were taken when she was a week old.  Pictures in the hospital was my original plan but those prices were out of control.  I'm surely no professional photographer but I have to say I'm pleased with how they turned out!
 

This was one of the last pictures I snapped.  Something about this picture gives me and overwhelming feeling of responsibility.  Such a tiny little thing has become the number one most important job I will ever have in my life.  I just hope I'm up to the task!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

 Nora Suann Evans was born on Thursday, June 26, 2014.  6 pounds 5 ounces, 19 inches long.  She came fast and quiet, turning our lazy life upside down.  The last two weeks have gone by in a blur with a lot of tears (mostly from me) but so much happiness and love.  So far Miss Nora is prefect but the adjustment of a newborn is so much more than I could have ever prepared for.  My weekly posts I was planning are doubtful but maybe I can try to fit just one in while on maternity leave :)

Nursery Complete!

We finally have the nursery finished.  My goal was June 1st but I missed that mark by about 2 weeks or so.  No worries though because I finished before she got here and I love the results.  I had some different ideas going into it but when I found the fabric for the skirt and closet I had to change my vision a little.  I really began to tap into my girly side and realized that I'm in love with anything floral :) and that I didn't hate pink as much as I thought I did. 

 

The dresser was a Craigslist find.  We repainted and replaced the hardware with some beautiful crystal knobs.

 

 

This is Gloria and one my favorite purchases for baby girl :) 

 

Cant wait to meet you baby!

Baby Girl

 

I am 33 weeks and 2 days pregnant.  I'm playing you music from a music box your dad bought me at a thrift store several years ago.  I can feel you moving and kicking around and I love you so much it makes me want to cry.  A year ago at this time I was just beginning to think about the possibility of being pregnant and a year before that I was thinking about not ever being pregnant.  How quickly things can change.  Everyone keeps asking "You're probably ready to get her out of there huh"?  No, no I am not, you're nursery is not done, the house needs a lot more cleaning and I don't have enough diapers stocked up yet.  Still though I'm so excited to meet you, to see your face, your eyes, your fingers and toes, smell you, hold you and even hear you cry.  I hope you take it easy on me because I am a newbie but I'm ready to learn with you what this mommy/baby thing is all about.  Your Dad is also very excited. You'll love him, and he will be even more in love with you.  It did take him a short time to get used to the idea that you were not a boy but now I can see in his eyes the excitement of a baby girl when I show him a cute dress or onesie I received as a gift.  So far I have only purchased one item of clothing for you, all the rest have been gifts.  The one item I did buy is a dress that you wont even be able to wear until around your first birthday but I am already looking forward to seeing it on you.  For now I'll keep preparing your room, our home and my head.  6 more weeks :)

Roadtrip!



(The hubs looking cute)

 

Jeff and I hit the road in July and headed to Pittsburgh.  While it wasn't our first choice for a summer road trip we ended up having a great time and Pittsburgh is definitely a city I would visit again in the future.  We checked in to our hotel on Saturday, had a great dinner then took a walk along the river to look around.  Lucky for us it was fireworks night at PNC Park and we had front row seats. 



 I love fireworks and these did not disappoint!  I have NEVER been so close in my life.  I attempted to use my fancy new phone to snap some pictures but then I realized I was missing all the good stuff and put it away.  



Sunday included baseball tickets.  The view of the city from the stadium was beautiful and besides being HOT in the sun it was a pretty decent day.  After the game I insisted on an emergency trip to a nearby Kohl's for new shoes.  Although I live in sandals in the summer all the walking had taken its toll and the balls of both feet felt like one huge blister!  I ended up with an amazing pair of Keds.  I say amazing because they saved me from holing up in our room for the rest of trip although they didn't go with a single thing I packed.  Sunday night was a black dress with navy blue Keds.  You gotta do what you gotta do.

Sunday night we went to the Duquesne Incline.  The incline has a wooden car that hoists you up the side of Mount Washington and offers awesome views of the whole city.  A round trip ride is only $5 and I would highly recommend it to anyone who visits Pittsburgh. 

 

 

Monday we hopped back in the car for a 2 hour car ride to Cleveland.  Why, Cleveland???  The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  This may have been the highlight of our trip.  I love music, really really love it and the R&R Hall of Fame is somewhere I wanted to visit for a long time.  I really could have spent the entire day there taking in every bit of music history.  Lets round out my top three museum pieces of music memorabilia.

3.  This red van...

 

 

 This my friends is Rage Against the Machine's tour van.  Thanks a some high school friends I became a big Rage fan.  Seeing them live was on my bucket list before the I even realized I wanted such a list.  I remember watching a video of one of their concerts and the ENTIRE crowd was jumping up and down completely feeling the music.  I can really only describe it looking like ocean waves.  I have been to a lot of concerts and never seen anything like it.

2. The Autograph Room



 

 Jeff didn't dig this place as much as I did.  The room was very dark and had all inductees signatures in white writing along the wall.  I really could have spent hours in there.  I'm sort of fascinated with how different hand writing can be from person to person

1.  The entire Jimi Hendrix collection

 

 

Did you know Jimi Hendrix was an artist?  A musician of course but an artist I had no idea.  The exhibit had a few of his works along with a ton of costumes, guitars and even the couch from his parents home.  I' m very much regretting not taking more pictures but at the time I thought it would be like those pictures you take at the zoo.  Why do I need this picture of an elephant.... 

Honorable Mentions...

-A letter written to Rolling Stone from Charles Manson.  I'm not one of those crazy murderer groupies but seeing this letter in person was a little surreal.  In his letter, Mr. Manson (I don't feel we are on a first name basis) talked about an article the magazine published about him and how he disagreed with many parts of what was written.  He also invites them to visit him to hear his side of the story. 

-The building itself. Seriously how cool!

Monday night we took one last long walk around Pittsburgh.  We geeked out about the different spots in the movie Jack Reacher and talked about coming back. 

Tuesday we headed back home.  Summer road trip complete.

Something to Remember...

I'd like to use this blog to hold on to memories.  To keep safe those tiny little things that make me smile but could easily be forgotten as the day, week or month goes by.  One such moment happened this morning and I'd like to hold on to it as long as I can.

My alarm went off a 5am.  I turned on my light but continued to lay in bed bundled up against the cold.  In walks Jeff.  Hes surprised to see me awake but celebrates my consciousness by singing to me.  I don't remember all the words but they include something about being his sunshine rising in the sky.  Most of the time his singing makes me nuts, but in this moment I realized just how lucky I was to have him and his off tune singing.  He is a great husband.