Sad News, Eighteen Months Old and my Second Blogoversary

Sorry to combine so many things into one post.

First, sad news to report. J's Grandfather, and Evie's last surviving Great Grandpa, passed away today. His death was sudden, but not completely unexpected because his beloved wife passed away about six months ago and ever since that his grief has been palpable. I know I'm not the only family member who saw that he literally couldn't live without his wife. We are all bereft, and also happy for him that he is reunited with his soul-mate in heaven.

Although we saw him a couple of weeks ago, during our trip to Florida, we unfortunately failed to take any pictures of him with Evie. But I do have a short video from Christmas, and watching it tonight made the tears start up again. Both he and J's Grandma were devoted to family and delighted in having great grandchildren. One of our last pictures of Great Grandma is of her on the floor with Evie, blowing bubbles:

And one of our last memories of Great Grandpa is that he made a point of getting down onto the floor with Evie at Christmas:

This photo and video illustrate so much about who Evie's Great Grandparents were: active, loving, joyful, and devoted to family. I am blessed to have known them for eleven years and I grieve for Evie that she only had a few opportunities to meet them during her first eighteen months.

Switching gears...

Happy Blogoversary to me! Two years ago I started this blog on J's laptop from our room in this hotel, in New Orleans' French Quarter. I wrote my first posts while lounging in the courtyard, sipping gin & tonic. Two years later, I am pondering whether or not Evie is ready to taste her first Guinness. Kidding.

But seriously, I can still taste the excitement of those days in the Big Easy. We got "the call" the day before leaving (it was my spring break) and had a full, lovely week to luxuriate in our prospective parenthood and enjoy St. Patrick's day in style.

My life today is everything I thought it would be two years ago. Absolutely everything. I'm so blessed to be writing a mommy blog these days!

Speaking of mommy blogging, Evie is about to turn 18 months old. (Let's just ignore that I didn't manage to write a 17 month old post last month. Ahem.) I am in complete denial that Evie is on her way to her second birthday, so if you know me in real life, please don't speak of it. I'm just not ready.

Because this has already become a lengthy blog post, I'll be brief.

Vital Stats on Evie at 18 months:

weight: 24.5 pounds

height: 32 inches

percentiles: around 50th

clothing size: 18 month

favorite food: raisins
favorite song: Baby Beluga by Raffi

favorite animal: cat (or as she calls it, meow)

favorite book: Night Night Little Pookie by Sandra Boynton

favorite activity: sliding

favorite person: Mama

scared of: strange men

hates: brushing her teeth

latest accomplishment: two and three word sentences (Mama night night, Dada bye bye, more rice, light on) and jumping (she gets about 3/4 inch of air)

cutest behavior: holding her hand to her ear and saying "hallo?" when she hears a phone ring

teeth: 12 with 4 more on the way (canines)

I'll finish with pictures.

Dinner at Red Robin (she loved the mascot and gave him a couple of hugs):
After a bath, with Mama:
Just like her favorite animal:
Checking her stocks:
Rocking at Grandma and Grandpa's house:
Reading with Grandma:
On the grounds of the University of Virginia, where her Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy and Mama all went to college and graduate school (Me for my B.A in English and Psychology., J for Engineering B.S. and M.A., Grandma for B.S. in Education and Grandpa for his B.S. and M.D.):
Wahoowa! While we were there, I bought her a t-shirt that says "Born to be a Wahoo." I guarantee I'll post a picture at some point.