Evie Up-Close

I finally got some macros of Evie.  I'd been warned that macro photography is tricky and it turns out that's true, especially when your subject is a wiggly, falling-in-and-out-of-sleep baby.  There are several things I know to do differently next time, but I think Evie and I did pretty good, for our first try!  I can't wait to try some of her again in a few months.  I'd sure love some close-ups of chubby baby thighs and tummy rolls!

** I never watermark my photos, and very rarely sign them, in case a far-away family member wants to download one here and there straight off the blog.  Since I'll be taking some classes this year, you may see me sign more (or all) of the photos that are published on the blog, the way I signed these storyboards.**

The Weather Outside Was Frightful

Which is why I took all of these photos from inside, looking through the kitchen window.  There was no way "Mark" and I were going out in that yucky mess!  Looks like they had fun, though!  Thanks to Gram, for letting me post photos of her in her at-the-last-minute, thrown-together snow clothes.  You look fabulous!  And thanks for letting my kid pelt you in the face with cold, wet snow.  He enjoyed himself immensely.

Evie at One Month

Evelyn Mae, you are one month today!  These first four weeks have gone by fast..it seems like just yesterday you and I were in the hospital, meeting each other for the first time.  You've been a such a great baby.  We love to snuggle with you, talk to you and take pictures of you!  Everyone thinks you're beautiful and sweet and we're so happy you're part of our family.  Here's what you've been up to your first month of life:

Measurements - (at 5 weeks, 2 days)

weight - 11 lb, 7 oz -- 88%

length - 22 in -- 76%

head - 15.5 in -- 98%

Dr. G asked me again, "Wow!  What is she eating?", but assured me he was thrilled with your weight gain and wrote "awesome weight gain, A+" on your report card.  He also said you would be a tall girl, which I didn't think he could predict until you were a little older, but I guess we'll just have to see!

There's no official "cheeks" measurement, but as you can see from your photo, you are quite the chipmunk!  What are you hiding in there little girl?

Clothes - You have been wearing your 0-3 months outfits for about 1 1/2 weeks now.  You look cutest in your long-sleeve onesies and baby-legs (legwarmers).

Diapers - You are still in a size 1 and I think you'll stay there for a little while longer.

Feedings - You're starting to fall into

somewhat

of a pattern, but you're not completely predictable yet.  You average about 13-15 feedings a day.  The last couple of nights you ate around 12:00, 3:00, and 6:00, often times waking up just minutes before the "time to feed Evie" alarm on my phone went off.  Having a few three-hour intervals each night (start-to-start) is a big improvement over the almost-every-hour nightly feedings of your first two weeks home!

Mommy has a nifty iphone app that keeps track of all your feedings and information.  It has a timer to keep track of how long it takes you to eat and it tells me how many times a day you've eaten.  With Sam, I used to have to write all that down on little scraps of paper.  According to my app, since you were born, you've eaten 427 times, as of this posting!  Wow!

Sleeping - We haven't established any daytime schedule yet.  The last week or so you've been falling asleep around 9 at night and sleeping until your next feeding.  That's when Mommy watches TV with Daddy for about five minutes before falling asleep on the couch!  The last few nights you've started going right to sleep after each middle-of-the-night feeding.  That's a BIG help to Mommy - let's keep that up!   During your first two weeks home, Mommy slept on the couch next to your pack-and-play.  Now we're both sleeping in our own beds in our own rooms - much better! You sleep best when swaddled up snug with your heartbeat bear on high and the fan whirring above you.  All that white noise knocks you out fast!

It seems like you're starting to smile at us in a way that makes us think it's more than just a reflex or tummy bubbles.  We've heard a "coo" from you here and there, and I have a feeling you want to say a lot more.  I wonder if you'll be an early-and-often talker like your brother.  

We've just barely started tummy-time and, like most babies, you don't like it at all.  It's hard work!  You like to sit in your bouncy chair, especially when we are cooking in the kitchen or eating at the table.  Your pack-and-play is probably your least favorite place to be.  You like your crib just fine and you do great in your carseat.  You sleep straight through most car rides and errand-running.  But your most favorite place to be is snuggling with Mommy and Daddy.  We like it, too!

Here is your first official monthly chair photo, Evie.  I was so excited to take it today! 

Happy One Month Day, Evelyn!

And just for fun, here is Sam's one-month chair photo!

Evie at Four Weeks

Evie is four weeks old today.  She's really starting to fill out and gets cuter and sweeter every day.  I'm guessing she's well over ten pounds now - we'll find out next week at her one-month check up.  She's still a happy baby and is most content watching Sam or snoozing on one of us.

I have been dying to get some close-up shots of her and capture all those newborn details that change so quickly.  While I have a macro on its way to help me do that (yay!), I couldn't wait until next week to get some photos of her sweetest baby features.  So here are a few "faux macro" shots using my nifty-fifty, and some of her sweet face as well.  Happy four-weeks, Evie.  

Evie at Three Weeks

Evie's three weeks old today. While she's starting to get a little fussier, she still likes to snooze a lot. Any bed, anywhere...

Big Brother

Sam's done really well adjusting to baby Evie.  No signs of jealousy yet, and he loves to hug on her (and kiss her head when he thinks I'm not looking).  He dances for her and shows her the stuffed bunny he gave her in the hospital, trying to make her laugh.  He's a good helper, fetching anything I need, and waits patiently if he happens to need help with something while I'm feeding her.  Last Tuesday, on our way to introduce Evie to his teacher, he said to me, "It's fun to bring a baby to school!"  She gets lots of pats and snuggles outside his classroom door before he leaves for the day.  He seems very proud of her.  Having said all that, "three" has been a very difficult year and I consider Sam a pretty challenging preschooler.  But as far as learning to live with a new baby in the house, so far, so good, and we're grateful for that!

Two Week Check-Up

Miss Evelyn had her two-week check-up Friday and Dr. G. was very happy with how she was doing.  He was surprised she was already a pound above her birthweight, especially since she'd lost 11% while in the hospital.  She's a growing girl!  Here are her current stats:

2 week visit

weight:  9 lbs 11 oz --- 90%

height:  21.5 in --- 92%

head: 14.8 in --- 97%

Evie at Two Weeks

Evelyn is two weeks old!  I have no idea where her stats are at this point, but we'll find out at her 2 week check up on Friday.

This is another photo from a little shoot we attempted Monday to practice with our props. I got her this pretty combo from an Etsy seller here in Dallas and was anxious to try it out.  I probably overdid things a little to get just  one shot - I was very sweaty and my tummy was a little sore by the time we were done.  She was laying on the back of her glider cushion diaper-less, so I was hurrying to ensure that it stayed white, if you know what I mean! It also took longer than I would've liked to give it a clean edit and get it blogged.  This whole blogging thing was easier when there was just one little birdie in the nest!  I hope to attempt more photos with her headband and wrap here this week, before she gets too big.  She just looks too pretty. :)

Things we've noticed about Evelyn so far...she's been described by her nurses and her family as being unusually strong.  Several people have also commented on how feminine she looks for a newborn and how dainty she seems (despite her hefty 8lb 11oz birthweight)!  She has sweet little ears and long fingers.  She's a great eater, eating about every 1 1/2 hrs - 2 hrs which is why I'm beyond exhausted, but that's a good thing!  So far she's been a good sleeper, but over the last couple of days she's become a little bit fussier during the day.  She's happiest snuggling on Mommy or Daddy's chest or all swaddled up, rocking with me in the glider.  She doesn't cry too much at all, but I suspect that will change as she gets older.  I feel like her smiles and coos are just around the corner, waiting to come out!  She loves to watch Sam dance around and be silly and he's been really good with her.  He loves to love on her, sometimes a little too much!  He also calls her "Evie" every single time her says her name.  Turkey.

Brian and I aren't sure who she'll look like.  We've agreed it's a little too early to tell.  Having said that, I think I see more Straka than Tresenriter this time around.  I often catch little mannerisms, glances and expressions that remind me of Brian.  I think she and Sam will probably look somewhat alike, but not exactly alike the way some siblings do.  No matter which side she favors, she's definitely a BEAUTIFUL girl!

Here's

a link to Sam's 2 week pic for a comparison!