Eva--a deserving post

Eva, my oldest daughter.  She sparkles.  She shines.  She loves me and we're best friends.  When she was asking about her childhood I looked it up on the blog and at 7 years old she was only tagged in 6 posts!!  Of course that's because I use Facebook and Instagram but we thought it was time for some Eva highlights and stories.  Since we just got back from Utah we'll highlight that trip a little bit.  It was Eva's first flight.  All three of the others flew as an infant for either a wedding or a funeral.  It was so exciting.  Although today marks a week home, Eva asks to return to Utah several times a day.  She loved it.  She loves her family.  

 Salt Lake Temple

 Eva loves collecting things.  When we went on a nature walk she'll pick one of every flower that she likes.  Paige and Sawyer followed right along with her collecting with her.  Eva finished with three golf balls, sticks, and tons of flowers.  The flowers of Utah are so different from what we're used to.  While we were there, she was also the "Queen" of their secret fort.  She directed efforts to decorate the fort with rocks and flowers.  

 When we were in Provo, Matt and Robyn took us to Bridal Veil Falls.  I thought it was just a waterfall to see but when we got there people were walking in the water so we hopped in too.  I took this shot right when Eva got in.  We weren't expecting the water to be so COLD!!  I think she looks pretty shocked.  She loved it and wouldn't be outdone hiking either.  She hiked just as high as the boys did!

 Luckily, Aunt Becca is magical with all things beautiful.  Eva got her hair done in Becca's style and it took her three days before she took it down.  It took me bribing her with pink face masks to convince her.

 Our pink face masks.

This is just a silly picture we took at the dentist office trying to compare eyes.  She is such a beautiful girl.  I love watching her grow up.  

starting solids

i procrastinate starting solids.  its so much work.  we started on her 6 month birthday and i've averaged about once a week since then.  these pictures make it look like she loves it.  they are deceiving.  adorable.  but deceiving.

 today was the first day she showed interest....

in sam's cereal at least.

sicky sick-o

poor baby

eva's blessing

i probably shouldn't post twice in one day.  i should space it out.  i just can't.  i just barely got these pictures from my mom and i couldn't wait to share them.  

I can't decide what my favorite part of her  blessing day  outfit was.
the bonnet, the smocked dress, or the monogrammed bloomers.  girls are so fun!

what we go through to get the picture!  i had to include this.

after a day like that, we certainly all feel blessed.

and what about eva?

i was about the say the biggest trial of her life is putting up with them but that would be a lie.  she loves them.  they shake her, squeeze her, poke her, give her their toys, do "rocket baby" (which is as scary as it sounds and involves pulling the bouncer), and kissing her.  my biggest trial is protecting her from their love.  

 i love swaddled babies.  eek.... so cute.

 this is eva at jackson's game.  i think she only watched like 2 the whole season.  and i thought i was settling on a single stroller....

 happy girls.

yea... that includes me.  when babies sleep 9-12 hours at night they make their mommies happy too.

eva caroline

these were taken the first week she was born but it took me this long to post.
presenting her lion king style at the hospital.

didn't scott do a great job

Our newest member

Eva Caroline Barnes

March 14th 2012

9lbs 3 oz

i kept waiting to make this post when i had more pictures or better pictures or whatnot. I decided at this stage, you do what you can, when you can. These are the pictures I have now.

I was scheduled to be induced on Thursday but went into labor early Wednesday morning. I went longer than I would have liked without an epidural but all's well that ends well. It certainly ended well I'd say. She's so perfect. The boys are totally in love with her. She is sleeping well and i have had lots of help. We are so excited for all the things that she brings to our family.