First Zoo Trip

Last weekend we took Evelyn to the zoo for the first time.  She didn't really pay a whole lot of attention to the animals.  She people watched instead.  She's very drawn to little kids.  It's funny to me how she knows the difference between them and adults.  I'm excited for her to have more play dates.  I think she is finally big enough to play with other kids because she is mobile and can "chat".  Her talking has REALLY picked up lately.  Obviously we all have no idea what she is saying but she sure has a lot to say.

Zoo Pics

1. I didn't realize we were wearing the same color of shirt until I saw these pics.

We are not that couple that matches.  Although I'm not totally against it ;)

2. Kaycee had to look at the sea life with her.  I can't stomach to look.

3. Animal watching with daddy.

4. Evy's hair is long enough to hold a clip without the headband.

1. Zoo family pic.

2. They may bite.

3. Notice daddy's head at the bottom of the picture in case she decided to leap.

4. Kid zoo.

1. Parrot.

2. Talking to the Giraffes.

3. Daddy and Evy.

4. Flamingos.  They were fighting. It was funny.

1. Not sure what this was but it was small and cute and I need one.

2. Penguin watching.

3. Giant turtle that should have a sign posted that says "HOT!"

4. A real giant turtle.

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And just a little family fun.

1. Morning smiles.

2. Best friends.

3. Tulsa Drillers baseball game.

4. Mommy and Evy

Have a good week everyone! Hopefully I can make a midweek post.  We've been trying really really hard to stay up after Evelyn goes down for the night.  

-April

ps -I almost have a one year old.  A year ago this weekend I was having my big friends and family baby shower.  This year I put together her birthday party invitations.  What an amazing year this has been so far.  This little girl has her momma and daddy's heart.  I'm so excited to celebrate!

Oklahoma Storms

I never thought I would be excited for warmer weather coming my way.  These Oklahoma tornados are too much for me to handle.  If you are a reader outside of the Oklahoma area you have probably seen all the coverage on the national news.  My heart just breaks for all those experiencing loss of any kind.  I can't even watch coverage anymore cause it just makes me too sad.

We had a close call this past Thursday night.  There was a tornado that hit very very very close to my house.  As in some of the places that were hit were literally less than 5 minutes from my house.  Zach has become quite the storm tracker lately so he keeps us on our toes with the latest weather updates.  Thursday evening after I put Evelyn down the sky started looking green and wicked.  The clouds behind our house were starting to look like something I didn't want to see.

Evy helping track the storms.

While we were looking at the sky I heard the newscaster say "If you're in the Broken Arrow area take cover now."  My heart dropped and it made me shake even more when Zach said "Get Evelyn."  This made it so real and so scary.

I grabbed her from her crib and strapped her in her car seat, put her in the tub with Phoebe and I and Zach covered us in the couch cushions.  The laptop was in the bathroom with us with the news on.  I could here him say "It's touched down in Oneta."  Oneta, the part of Broken Arrow that I live in.  For about 5 seconds my whole body got hot with fear and I thought to myself "what if this is it?"

I shook that feeling as soon as I could and began praying.  I just kept thinking about all those people in Moore, Oklahoma and how scared they must have been.  People were saying on the news that it was so loud that they couldn't hear anything.  I did't want to hear that sound.  Evelyn didn't make a peep.  She just kept looking at me and I knew I couldn't let anything happen to her.  If I had to shove my body underneath the handle of her car seat and wrap my body around it that is EXACTLY what I was going to do whether it broke my back or not.  It made me sick that I was even having to come up with a plan. Side note - I tried it out the next day and I can fit under the handle.

I kept getting texts from a lot of people but I couldn't text back.  Nothing was going through.  We were both getting calls but we couldn't call back.  I knew our family was probably freaking.  I would have been.

After about 30 minutes in the tub and sporting my bicycle helmet Zach released us.  Phoebe was the first to get out.  Let me tell you there is NO ROOM in a small bathtub with me, a car seat and an 85 pound dog.  When I stood up I couldn't even feel my feet and there was soap all over my pillow.  No big deal.  I was just happy to be safe.  

Friday night more tornados struck Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.  There have been 9 confirmed deaths.  It just breaks my heart.  We have decided that we don't care about the cost, we are investing in a storm shelter.  I can't take that overtaking fear not knowing if the small room in the middle of the house is going to protect my family or not.

Please say a prayer for Oklahoma tonight.  Pray for strength, comfort and peace.  I know there are a lot of people that need it.

-April

Oklahoma Tornados

Please keep Oklahoma in your prayers. Elementary school involved in tornado today. The footage is devastating. Hoping we don't have to helmet up in the bathroom tonight. 

-April

Mother's Day!

Evelyn.

Evelyn's momma.

Evelyn's momma's momma.

Evelyn's momma's momma's momma.

She Likes To Move It Move It!!

Oh boy, has this house taken a turn this past week.  Just a week ago we were trying everything we could to get Evelyn to crawl just a little bit.  Displaying cell phones, toys, food.  AnYtHiNg to get her going.

Failed on all of them.  She was pivoting around and around and scooting from one spot to the next.  But no, none whatsoever, actual traditional crawling.

Everyone says it will happen when it happens and we weren't worried about it.  We were just excited for it TO happen.  Last Thursday, it did. The "traditional" crawl.  One knee in front of the other.  She looked like an actual baby on the prowl instead of the girl from The Ring.  We were a couple of proud parents for sure.  A step we've been waiting for and a step that made us realize that this house is NOT ready for a baby to be exploring.

(Gotta get on that this weekend.)

I'm coming to get ya!

Her crawl started off a little slow.  She looked like a little spider.  That was yesterday.  Today, it's a whole new story.  This stage in her life is a whole new story.  Can't leave her on the bed anymore while  I iron my clothes.  Can't leave her in her room to play in the morning while I get ready.  Can't skip out of the room for just a second while I get something to drink.  CAN'T DO IT! She's like  a whole new baby.  So it goes without saying that daddy and I have had to change our ways a little bit.  Have to stick her in the crib in the mornings just so I know she's safe and sound.  She's gotten good at shimming down the hallway.

EEEEEEE!

Just chillin' with my toys.

She's also gotten good at throwing a fit.  Just a little baby fit.  Any time I try to dress her or pick her up she throws those arms up and makes her body as straight as she can and throws her self back while trying to slip out of my hands.  All while fake crying.  As much as I don't want to laugh at her I can't help but do it cause it's so cute to see her show her own little personality.  NOT going to be cute when she does it in public.  

I'm 10 months old!

I'm tired of taking pictures!

I am so amazed every day with how she is growing into a big girl and slowly leaving her baby stage.  It's very bittersweet.  I can't believe in less than 2 months we will have a one year old on her way into being a full blown toddler.

This momma's heart is overflowing!  Very excited to be celebrating my very own first Mother's Day on Sunday.  

I'm uuuupppp!

Nap time!

Just working on the iPad.

Sleeping like a big girl!

Strolling!

Oh, and if you're not Thundering Up tonight you should just turn the television off.

Go THUNDER!!!!!

Let's start the wave!

-April

Ps - Can someone tell Carson Daly his hair is completely uncombed!

Happy Day!

Birthday Planning Begins

So Evelyn turns one in a little over 2 months and yes, I'm already planning her birthday party. As in, decorations have already been made. Check out my little weekend project. I'm pretty happy with the turn out.

Got the wooden frames for $1.00 at Michael's and glitter scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby. Cut, cover, complete!