Eight Great Months of Evangeline

Yesterday Evangeline turned eight months old. This past month was really exciting with a trip to the zoo, a lot of walks, her baptism and first Vacation Bible School, adventures with mommy and daddy, playdates with Arlen, Penny, Claire and James.

My favorite Evangeline face. She now has enough hair to put a clip in.

 She is going through a little separation anxiety and teething which means she is fussy a lot. I just try remember that things will be a lot worse when she is 13--and tell myself to be patient.

She says dadaddada, and mamamama. She also will wave and says something that resembles like "hi" or "bye." She still loves books, and the library--chewing on them, turning their pages and listening to mommy and daddy read (even if it is only a few pages of a book).

Shot of Evan and Mommy. She's been a little clingy this month.

She loves music and even attacks Greg's guitars. She loves when Greg plays music for her on the piano or guitar. Greg and Evan also play the piano together sometimes.

She loves the church nursery especially the "big kid" toys like the Cozy coup car. However, her favorite toys are my flip flops and the dog water bowl.

And yes, she already learned to drive...

She loves people, and thrives in social places like church and the library. She smiles at strangers, dogs, kids, and gets upset when they will not give her their attention. She tries to talk with whomever she hears talk. We're in for some challenges. 

Wylie is still not a fan of her, but she's getting faster and is fascinated by him. She'll catch him someday soon. We were worried about that, but she stole his toy the other day--Wylie only grunted in annoyance and left.

It is hard to get her to stay still. She is toddling around (holding onto things) and constantly bobbing her head back and forth to rhythms or music.

Evangeline also learned to standup alone unsupported (for a minute) and recently (the scariest new accomplishment) climb stairs. She loves to dance to music.

She still does not like baby food. Her favorite foods are zucchini bread, animal crackers and pork chops.

Despite all the challenges, we cannot imagine life without her. She is growing and learning so much and we look forward to what each day will bring for her.

Baptism and Father's Day

This Sunday was Father's day and Evangeline's Baptism Day. We actually started celebrating Father's Day Friday. Greg opened his gifts from Evangeline which included an Avenger's T-shirt (which she picked out :) for her super hero daddy). We went out for dinner on Saturday night at the Pasta Factory and I made pulled pork for Sunday lunch.

Sunday Evangeline was baptized at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church (the church we have been attending). It was a great celebration of faith. Our friends the McCommis family and Yulia from University of Missouri were there to support us.

Greg opening Evangeline's Gift

Evan investigating Pastor Paul's pendant.

Proud Perreault family

Zoo Trip No. 2

Last week we went to the zoo with our friend Crystal and her daughter Claire. The drive to St. Louis was totally worth it. We saw the giraffes, zebras, elephants, hippos, penguins, chimpanzees and gorillas.

When we met the gorillas, one beat on the glass and scared Evan and Claire. He was so close you could have touched him had there not been glass.

We also got pretty close to the penguins. One was floating in the water with his beak right next to the glass well. Evan laughed at him for about five minutes.

Below are some photos from our trip.

Evan and I with the Zebras

Evan and the Chimp eating

Claire and her mom in the penguin house

Evangeline and Claire were pooped after the zoo.

Summer Adventures

I get a little over one month to just hangout and enjoy not being at work or school. That means some great family time. Greg is working two jobs this summer at the University of Missouri and I am watching Evan full time.

Although Greg is busy, he works from home a few days a week so we can have lunch as a family and all play together. We have a foreign exchange student visiting us in late June and July and I'll be taking a class in July. A nice break before we get back to the grind in August.

We got our family pictures made in late May, (here's a link to a few of them). We grew our own lettuce and tomatoes and a few other veggies that are beginning to bloom.

Evan at Capen Park for our family photo session.

Lucky Seven

Yesterday Evangeline turned seven months old. She is making so much progress.

This past month we started solid foods. She does not like baby food, but prefers to nibble on what Greg and I are eating instead. She really likes to pick up her own food.  She has tried a variety of foods, but her favorites appear to be meat and potatoes. She also likes beets and bread.

She's 27.5 inches tall (which I can finally say now that she's standing), and weighs 17 lbs and 10 ounces. Evangeline can move across the room in seconds, and baby proofing/constant attention is a must when you put her down. She can pull herself up and walk along a wall while supporting herself with one hand. She also enjoys walking around the oval table in the living room.

 

Pulling herself up on the couches in the living room

She's still got brown hair (with a few blonde highlights) and blue eyes. We are excited the blue eyes might stay. She is starting to wave and even says da, da, da, ga, ya, and wa.

Standing with the help of the chairs and trying to wave

New car seat thanks to Nana Candy

This month also marked Evan's first trip to Texas (see earlier blogs). She loved seeing her family there and will miss seeing them dearly.

Trip to Texas and Lake Buchanan

Learning to walk from daddy

Evangeline is happy most of the time, but recently she started getting her two bottom front teeth. After a few extra hours of sleep she is right as rain. We love our little girl and we are so proud of her accomplishments so far. Now all we have to do is keep up with her.

Eating breakfast with Mommy and Daddy

Lake Buchannan Trip

I've been going to Lake Buchanan for almost my entire life. It was great to introduce the family vacation spot at Chism Lodges to Evangeline. Although the lake was down and we did not catch any fish, except for on the trot line, it was great to spend time with the family.

Meeting My ZTA Fair Godmother/Aunt Katie

Tasting corks at the Fall Creek Winery

Wiggins Grandparents (Will and Carri) at the Mother's Day Luncheon

Sarah and Jon

In the hammock with Aunt Catelyn and Mr. Daniel

Lake sunsets are the best

Sarah, Jon and Grandpa Will check the trot line

Walking with Grandma Carri

Grandma Carri and Grandpa Will let me ride in their wagon

In the Hammock with Daddy

Trying out the walker, Savannah lent me

In the hammock with Grandma Carri

Evan's First Trip to Texas

We just got back from Evangeline's first trip to Texas.

With my Infant Boarding Pass in Houston during the layover to Texas

I was Evangeline's second plane trip (her first was to Boulder in January). She handled the flight well and even enjoyed playing in the airport.

Playing in the airport terminal in San Antonio.

Drinking my bottle on the plane.

We were in Texas for a week and visited family and friends. We saw her Wiggins Grandparents, Aunts, Zeta Fair Godmother (Katie) and the Wacker Family. She even made it to Lake Buchanan (I'll post another post with these photos), Bear Moon Bakery and Wednesday night dinner at FBC Boerne.

At Bear Moon Bakery in Boerne

 The Wacker Family was so glad to meet Evan. The girls and Paula were especially excited to see Evangeline and spend some time with her. We also got to see Thomas and Jonathan who I used to babysit for. Thomas is now a senior in High School (omg!). It is so encouraging to see these kids grow up.

Evangeline and Grace Wacker

Evangeline and Ruth Wacker

Paula and Evangeline

After visiting the Wackers we headed to FBC Boerne for Wednesday night dinner and to meet the Women in my mom's women's Choir. Evan loved the attention, and we loved seeing people's faces light up when they met her. I introduced her to my middle school English teacher and choir teacher. Both made comments on how it was just yesterday I was in in their classes. I know it will be like that when Evan is in middle school, but I'm definitely not ready for that. My baby girl has grown up so much in the past three weeks it's getting hard to handle. We also took her to see my dad at his Awana Celebration day.

With Grandpa Will at FBC Boerne

It was a great vacation for all of us. We needed a break after all the work of the semester.