Yes.. that is what Annabelle (and John and I) had for dinner Thursday night! See the videos on the right to watch it happen... Annabelle didn't really enjoy the eating but she ate it and kept opening her mouth and actually went back from more fish!

In addition, we got Addison laughing for the first time while John was bouncing her... That video is on the right too!

I am getting ready to take John back to the airport so we are all a little sad today... keep him in your prayers as well as the rest of our soldiers and families...

Much love
Carolyn

So last night we had chicken and dumplings and Annabelle ate both well.. I do pull the chicken and dumplings out of the broth and cut it up for her but I really am just amazed that she is eating so well... I attribute this to eating as a family.. Monkey see, monkey do! :)
I also have an Addison update! She rolled over from her back to her belly last night! She was playing on her activity mat, and yes, I mean playing... kicking grabbing and all that fun stuff, while John and I were watching House.... We noticed that she had gotten quite and when I looked over, expecting to see her sleeping.... she was on her belly just laying there happily! :)

She is just too cute.. We have a piece of mind appointment today for Addison... She is really congested but not running any temperature. I know they aren't going to do anything or give her anything so that is why I call it a POM appointment... Will keep you posted on how that goes. Annabelle is still pulling at her right ear but she still has time on the antibiotic so I am not worried.. She tells me it doesn't hurt but it must itch or something...

I think the family is waking so I need to go !!

Love to you all

Carolyn

While adding posts I decided to add some photos too! So, don't forget to read the posts while enjoying some new photos of the girls!

Today was quite the day for realization... what am I talking about? you ask? well.. I will explain...

We generally eat sitting on the couch watching TV. We have been talking about moving to the table and eating as a family but just haven't made the move until this week. Let me tell you what a HUGE difference it had made for Annabelle and what she will eat! Oh my goodness... Last night I made meatloaf (stuffed in bell peppers) and oven baked sweet potato fries.. She ate some of both in addition to a cheese stick, Vienna sausage, mixed fruit cup and of course yogurt! We were so proud of her and have decided that I am going to have to cook meals that are more Annabelle friendly.. (typically I like to cook a more mature taste than a 2 year old will appreciate) So tonight I made pot roast, mashed potatoes and green beans... she ate all three, in addition to multi-grain bread, peaches, macaroni and cheese and yogurt! I am just amazed by how well she is eating.. Now, I am having to feed her the new foods but she eats them, even with a grimace on her face! Very very proud of our big girl...

The second event this week was tonight as well... and it has to do with the potty... I decided that candy is no longer a reword for going to the potty and all of the sudden she refuses to go... I asked her why tonight and her reply was priceless... I will quote this but you'll have to imagine her sweet little 2 year old voice saying it in a very matter of fact tone! I said "Annabelle, why don't you want to use the potty anymore"? and her reply.... "BECAUSE I DON'T GET CANDY ANYMORE!" and she said it like she meant it! WOW! That really opened my eyes as to the thinking of a 2 year old and we compromised so that she gets candy but she has to produce more than a drop of pee to get it! :)

Thirdly... The bath tub... Bath time has now become a crying game for dear Annabelle.. she LOVED taking a bath so much so that I had to spell it else she wanted to take a bath that second and threw a fit if she didn't get to take one.. now, she doesn't want to take one and cries when she has to take one.. My reasoning... I will back this up a bit.... The week before Annabelle went to visit Gran and Odie she started screaming while in the tub, I was with Addison changing her diaper... I got to her thinking something horrific had happened and it appears that she had to potty and couldn't hold it and poo'd in the tub... she was totally mortified... and pretty much lost it.. I tried to tell her that it was OK that she just didn't understand that she had to go when she had to go but that wasn't going to cut it.. so now, she stands in the bath holding herself (as if she has to pee) and crying until I am finished and she can get out... I realize my "monster spray" was ingenious but I am not sure what trick will cure this one... we may just have tear filled baths for a while.. (any suggestions?!?!)

I think that is all that I have to report on...
I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day and love to you all! I will keep you posted on the bath drama... maybe I will come up with something to cure this new fear...

Carolyn

Hello everyone! It has been a very busy time for the Evans' so forgive me for not keeping you posted as to our goings on!...

Annabelle is home from her visit with Gran and Odie and she had a great time! She got to celebrate Sam's birthday for the first time and has filled us in on what being a pirate is all about! Arrgggg....

Mom and I drove her and Addison to Asheville, NC to make the exchange and then we headed to Kurt and Sharon's cabin for a few days. It was great to see the Ruppel cousins and family considering we haven't seen them since Christmas and we really didn't see much of them with all the driving to and from the hospital while Addison was sick... Nathan and Caroline had fun with "playing" with Addison and Caroline was so sweet singing to her as she slept in her swing... I have a video of this and will try to post it.

While at the cabin, I got sick and now in turn Addison has it.. probably just a viral thing with congestion and a cough. Neither of us needed medications but it certainly made for a trying time taking care of Addison when I really just wanted to be taken care of myself! Thanks to mom for taking a night of Addison duty when I was really just needing to sleep...

John got home from his adventures in Alaska and we are all thankful. Even if it is only for a week.

I flew to NC on Thursday to pick Annabelle up and then turned around (with a 4 hour layover) and flew home.. she really had fun on the plane.. It was cute watching her "get it" as the ground got further and further away... this was the first time she understood what flying is all about and initially was a bit uneasy but then was excited to see the clouds and then the ground get closer and closer.. We spent the night at Grammy and Papa's then went back to the airport to get daddy! This made Annabelle VERY happy...

When picking up Annabelle in NC I noticed she felt a little hot so we took her temp and it was 102! She never really acts sick when she is so unless you check her temp, you'd really never know... so I called and made an appointment for Friday and she has an ear infection.. again... it seems her right ear is prone to them and we are to watch her and have her rechecked to make sure she heals 100% this time...

Addison also had an appointment while John was gone (4 month well baby) and she is no longer short and fat!! haha.. she is 14 pounds and 25 inches long.. right on track! Her head is a little small 20% but the Dr wasn't concerned...

Both girls are sleeping wonderfully... 10-12 hours a night and I am very thankful for this!!

I know there is more to post but right now I have two that need my attention!!
Love to you all and please pray for my uncle who has been in the hospital (but is now home) for a swift recovery! We love you Uncle Rich! And pray for Craven who broke out in nasty hives!! He is better but they don't know what caused the hives... In addition, pray for cousin Anna and Markus... They are in our prayers and would love some extra prayers from all of you as well..

Carolyn

Good morning everyone... I have only a small window of time to blog with John gone and both girls currently sleeping so I will get to the point! :)

John left yesterday and thankfully I was so stressed about driving in the snow/ice that it left little time for emotions. Yes, I miss him dearly already but!..., it is only 3 weeks and that is noting compared to some of my neighbor friends...

I got to see a dear dear friend this weekend, Jennifer! (hi!) and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed catching up... what fun.... We need to make sure 12 years don't go by again before we see each other!

I am still in Nashville but returning home today so I am sure the "missing John/daddy factor will kick in soon... I have lots going on with consignment sales and trips to North Carolina that it might not be too painful... (one can hope)

Annabelle is back to normal.. she is quite an entertainer, let me tell you... Making up songs and such.. very very funny! She is still taking her medicine but is certainly back to her happy self... even with Daddy gone.. funny thing here.. He called yesterday and was talking to him on the phone... I asked her to tell him she loved him and her reply was "I love you, John" over and over.. haha... It kills him but I find it terribly funny... I am going to try to upload a video of her being her silly self..

Addison is doing great as well. She now weighs 13.8 pounds and is just a happy little eating machine! We do have some news! She has her first tooth! I noticed a little white dot on her bottom gum but didn't feel anything a few weeks ago.. I really thought it was just a little bump or cyst but Saturday night I felt it and there is a tooth there!! It is her front bottom left tooth! I can't believe she is only 3 months old and has a tooth coming in already! She is also just about to roll over from back to front but just can't quite get there...and of course I can't get her on video going from front to back.. (stinker)

I am going to go enjoy some coffee and quiet time for a bit before they wake... Love to you all and please keep John, his guys and their families in your prayers.. they may not be in harms way but they are away from loved ones and still need prayers! Carolyn