Eva's Big Day at the Eastern Market

Yesterday we took Eva on an adventure in the big city. We started off at the renown Eastern Market in downtown Detroit, and then made our way to Greek Town. We then watched the swans swim to Canada from the otherwise abandoned-looking Belle Isle. Here's a link to the Eastern Market (it was awesome!): http://www.detroiteasternmarket.com/

Kyle and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. We saw all kinds of fruits, veggies, spices, plants, and crafts. We smelled ribs on the barbeque, fresh cider and coffee, and flowers. We passed right on by Virg Bernero, saw a dumpster on fire (?), and gave our left-overs from Pegasus to a nice homeless man who called Eva our "little shorty." These are the reasons I love big cities! Where else in the world can you see, hear and smell such an assortment of things on any given day? We also saw this sign, which has to make you wonder:

Does this mean it's okay to hurt each other if we would just use our fists instead of guns? I think they may be missing the boat on this one. To be fair, this sign was just down the street from a black market shop that was selling shirts that said, "Detroit Hustles Harder".

Here's what Eva might describe if she had the words to do so:
This is a long car ride. Where are we going?
Why is momma changing me in the back seat? Daddy is swearing a lot to find a parking spot.
I love my stroller. I'll chew on this lady bug. Something wet is falling on my face. (rain)
I'm snuggled in. I can see my momma pushing me. I hear lots of noises. I hear a man yelling, "1 for a dollar! These mums must go. Time to send me home!" I hear people talking. I see that sometimes I am outside and sometimes I am inside. Daddy is holding something up to my nose for me to smell. It makes me wrinkle my nose.
Mommy is holding me tight and my hood is over my face. We are walking somewhere. Mommy and daddy kiss me a lot and tell me I am safe.
I'm hungry! Feed me!
We are at a restaurant. I feel heat on my face. I think that man just lit that cheese on fire! Wow! I'll hold on to mommy a little tighter.
Daddy is holding me now and feeding me a bottle. I feel sleepy.
Mommy is bouncing me to sleep. I'll hold on to her shirt with one hand just in case she tries to go anywhere while I'm sleeping.
Zzzzzzz........


Here are pictures of Eva and I. Notice the expressions of concern on her face....

Reverse Scoot-Scoot

So, I've been a little concerned about Eva's gross motor skills. (Being a psychologist for the Early Childhood Program does not work in my favor on this one.) She is not quite sitting up or rolling over yet, and I worry that those skills are delayed. However, in typical Eva fashion, she continues to amaze us and tell us what she thinks of our fears! She has invented what I call the "reverse scoot-scoot". Because she has the tendency to be a little impatient (like her mother) she has developed a way to get from point A to point B without rolling over or sitting up. She uses her strong legs to propel her.

Here is how it works:
1) Lay on your back
2) Roll your head and upper body over just enough to see where you want to go.
3) Push off the ground, using you legs, while arching your back to propel yourself in the direction of your choosing.
4) Scoot the rest of your body as you push off the ground with your legs.
4) Repeat.

She is a strong little girl! To be certain, she has started to try to sit up on her own. Her head is getting so much stronger, and now we are working on trunk strength. Our wonderful care-giver, Peggy, bought Eva the coolest little planet activity center. Eva is starting to really enjoy that, although most of her play centers around trying to fit things in her mouth. I know Eva will do what she wants to do when she is good and ready. If anything, I have learned that she has her own way of creating a time-line that is perfect for her. I guess we could all learn to relax and let things happen in their season. In the mean-time, we can laugh as she "scoot-scoots"!

A Perfect Day at the Zoo

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Today was Eva's first trip to the zoo! It was really special for us because for years Kyle and I have planned vacations around going to different zoos around the country and our love of animals rivals Jack Hanna's. When we first found out we were having a baby going to the zoo with our little one was at the top of our list. (Going to a Tigers game was a close second.) We went to the Detroit Metro Zoo in Royal Oak with our friends Kyle and Carrie and their daughter, Elliott. Kyle was most excited to show Eva the tigers, and I was most excited about the polar bear. Well.... it turns out many of the animals were snoozing and so was little Eva! It seems that many of the traditions, places and events we can't wait to share with Eva are more for our enjoyment than hers at the point. It's kind of like when you buy your child the most expensive teddy bear and they only want to play with the box. Add that to the list of lesson Eva has in store for us; the best thing in the world is simply spending time together. Turns out that where you are or what you are doing really are not that important. I think of all of the animals, Eva enjoyed the peacocks and the ducks walking around the park the most. She also loved being cuddled as we walked around, and she really enjoyed snoozing in her stroller in the sun. The three of returned home tired, relaxed and happy. It has been awhile since we enjoyed a day exploring together. Hopefully Kyle will teach me to post some pictures soon. We took some great ones!

Kickin' it to the curb....

Good news to share with all! Eva is no longer bionic. Her doctors decided this week that she no longer needs her apnea monitor! I'm really excited, but I'm thinking I was kind of attached to that thing. It was kind of like a safety net for me, being the completely lost worry-wort that I am. Somehow it feels a weird to just put her to bed without attaching the wires and checking her belt, and then I think, "This is one more sign that she is a healthy baby now!" So it sits in the corner as a reminder of our early days after Eva came home. In other news, we can also stop buying the million dollar Alimentum formula- yaaaay! What will we do with all the extra money? Maybe go to Disneyworld? Or Harry Potter Land? (Please? Please?) This is great news too because it means that she is not showing signs of a milk allergy. We have been hoping that Eva is not allergic to foods like her cousins. (Sorry Krissy!) Her love of orange veggies continues, although peas made an entrance this week. Those were especially fun as she has learned to blow razberries and prefers to do them at the most opportune times.

This week Eva also started showing signs of stranger awareness. If she sees someone she is not sure about, she buries her head and the lower lip begins trembling. Her doctor at her six week check-up insisted that babies don't show that awareness until nine months old. Then she looked at Eva and Eva promptly starting crying. That's my girl! She continued to glare at the doctor throughout the appointment. :) It's amazing how babies' personalities emerge so early in life. I think she's a good mix of Kyle and I. She is stubborn like the both of us, but she has her daddy's laid-back attitude. She smiles all the time, especially when she sees her family. I think maybe she will love books like me. We read together often. She will sit on my lap and listen to two or three stories at a time. She loves the bright pictures and looking at the words.

6 Months Old Today

Our beautiful daughter came into our lives exactly 6 months ago today on April 4, 2010. I never envisioned all the ways our lives would change! Eva is a constant joy to us, despite the three of us going through a very difficult time these last months. Everyone that meets Eva says she is the sweetest, best baby. Of course we agree! Here are a few important milestones to share with you all:

September 1st- Eva began to suck on her thumb at will. She usually sucks on it to get to sleep.
September 11th- Eva's first art festival. She loved being outside! She also began to stand and sit with support this week.
September 23rd- Eva started solid foods! Orange veggies and bananas seem to be her favorites.
Week of September 20th- Eva began turning on her side. She's been sleeping on her side throughout the night. Eva is off most of her medicines beginning this week! She has also moved into 6-9 month old clothing. New pj's from Nanna and a special batch of fall clothes from Aunt Krissy mean that Eva is warm and cute no matter what the weather!
September 28th- Eva's first double ear infection. Let's hope it's the last!
October 1st- For one of the first times, Eva began to laugh at something she thought was funny all on her own. She saw Roxy rolling around on the floor and making noise, and she started to laugh! She watched her, reached out to her, and laughed. It was so cute. Kyle and I are pretty sure she will be an animal lover like the two of us. Good thing neither of the pups mind her pulling their fur!

Every day is a little different. It is such a blessing to see her be healthy, strong and curious about everything. Thank you to all of our family that have shared in these last 6 months and helped us from the NICU to our new home in Woodhaven. You guys mean the world to us! We could not have done it without you.