The Evy-lution of a Name

Years ago Jonny and I easily agreed that Evelyn would be the name of our next baby girl. (She is named after his Grandma Evelyn, and Ju Ju is named after my Grandma Julia.) But we weren't quite in line with what nickname to adopt. I was all for Evie (rhymes with TV) and Jonny was liking Evy (rhymes with heavy). During the pregnancy the kids started calling her Evie. I figured I had won the nickname debate and that was that.

Then, nearly three months ago, along came Evelyn. And that's what I called her. Evelyn. Even though the kids would sometimes call her Evie, it wouldn't roll of the tongue for me. The few times I did call her that I kind of had to force it and it just didn't sound right. 

Meanwhile, on occasion Jonny was calling her Evy. He surely wasn't doing it out of spite, as of course it comes more naturally since it has the same vowel sound as her full name. And do you know what? I really started loving the sound of it. It even occurred to me that she looks more like an Evy than an Evie. 

So Evy* it is. And I love it. But mostly I love her. She is getting more and more chubby, which makes her funny little knee dimples even more adorable. She coos and smiles at me when she wakes up in the morning. Gabe always wants to "have a kiss of Evelyn" and Julia loves babbling baby-talk to her. As for Jonny, I am sure he is in love with every little thing about his Evy.

*I am still not positive Evy is the best spelling. At first I thought Evvy looked right. But that looks like it has a w in it when handwritten. Hmmm. There is also Evi, or Evey, or even Evie could be pronounced that way. So I suppose it doesn't really matter. I think I like the simplicity of spelling it Evy. And who knows, maybe she will go by Evelyn most of the time so it won't quite matter. 

Eveyln's Blessing Day

Eveyln was given a sweet blessing by Jonny at church on June 10th. She wore the same dress that Julia was blessed in five years ago, which made me realize yet again how very fast the years go. We are so thankful for our darling Evelyn Paige.

 The traditional ice cream "Nightmare"

 Gabe polishing it off:

 Pictures by Aunt Cami

 Attempts at a photo of all three:

"Celebrate good times, come on!"

I didn't just use the lyrics of that cheesy song because it's been stuck in my head ever since Julia received a musical birthday card and has been opening it non-stop, but also because it describes what we've been doing the past few months. Here are a few of the good times we've recently celebrated:

Gabe's 3rd Birthday

 

 He made sure Evelyn wasn't left out of the festivities.

 

We may need to work on Gabe's form.

 

Jonny, on the other hand, has that swing down.

 Julia's 5th Birthday
a Butterfly Party

 

 

Gabe told me he was "Mister Smee Butterfly Bad Guy." 

 I gave her my old, beloved Baby Feels So Real doll. 

She named her Evelyn. Original!

 Grandma Myra 
 came from Colorado to meet baby

and  

Aunt Mimi
visited from Maryland

Like I said, good times!
Thanks to all who made them possible.
 (Including Aunt Barb and Uncle Dan for the musical birthday card and post title inspiration.)

Daddy's Girl, Mama's Boy, and ???

This is our first family picture since Evelyn. Check it out: Julia looks (and is posing) just like Jonny. And Gabe, just like me. I am so curious as to what Evelyn will look like as she grows. Sometimes I see Baby Ju Ju in her, and other times I think I am looking at Baby Gabey again. Mostly she still just looks like a cute, chubby newborn. But she definitely already has a personality all her own. We are so glad to have her as our third little friend.

3 > 2

Evelyn's original due date was Wednesday. It's hard to imagine what life would have been like the past three weeks had she not come early. We adore her and all the snuggling that goes on these first few newborn months.

Even though Evelyn still sleeps much of the time, I am realizing how many more three is than two. Julia senses this in me sometimes and says something like, "It isn't easy, is it, Mom?" No, it isn't easy. But there is nothing else in the world I'd rather be doing with my life right now. Just remind me I wrote this as our little one grows and requires more than just nursing and cuddling...

A Fifth-Year Graduate!

Last week Julia graduated from preschool for her fifth and final time. Her teacher is so very proud :) But really, I have loved having my Ju Ju with me at preschool all these years. She has a serious excitement for learning and I am amazed at how well she retains her new knowledge. She is more than ready to head off to kindergarten in the fall. Am I ready to send her? I don't even want to talk about it. Luckily I have three summer months until I send my baby off into the world.