The Great Green Grape Monker!

This week sure has been hectic, I won't lie. We had Emma this weekend, and had to do the whole commute thing. Jay's mom helps out a lot by picking her up at her Mom's and driving halfway, to Chattanooga to meet us.

The drive there was tough because of traffic, rain, and monkies whos' butts fall asleep in their car seats and get mad about it! When we finally got there though, it was worth it.. even if it took me a bit to get over the stress :) Then Lilly surprised me by munching down on some liver and onions! Thinking back on it though, I dont know why it would surprise me? She chowed on a bunch of delicious indian food today with some friends of mine and myself. Violet doesn't partake yet, but hey, she doesn't do much but sleep anyways. Lilly's favorite is the Chickpeas in Tomato gravy, or a close second, veggie Pakora. It is really funny watching a one year old eat spicy food, she was taking turns spazzing to get more and because her mouth was on fire. Doctors say folks who eat spicy food are happier because of all the endorphins released from the capsacin... that must be why she is such a happy baby!

Speaking of happy babies, there aren't any pictures of Violet this time around, I realize. It wasn't intentional, and it isn't like she wasn't doing a bunch of cutie things, I guess I just always have her in my arms instead of where I can take pictures of her. Lilly and Emma are such their own beings, they just go go go! I am going to buy Lilly the funny Monkey leash/backpack from Target soon. I am just waiting until she falls a little less. That way I can still hold her hand to keep her from hurting herself for just a little longer!

So, I have decided I need to brush up on my Nashvillian Knowledge before they kick me out of the state! My friends (whom I also went and ate indian today) took me to Jack's BBQ on Broadway saturday. Despite ending up paying $10 for parking like a rookie (!!!!!) it was soooooooooooooo good! Mom and Dad know it as the Flying Pig place. We got ribs, which Lilly also scarfed like the hog they were made out of. Perfect smoke ring, dry rub, fall off the bone, with a choice of KS, TN, or NC sauce. Mmmmmmm. I think it would pay off gastronomically to start being a tourist in my own town. Naturally Sarah and Carly had beer with their BBQ- not me because I was driving the monkies around... and Lilly tried pretty hard to hit that sauce too, if you know what I mean. Sarah finally relinquished her empty after a bit, and boy did that inspire some cracks.

Later that day, the girls and I went to the duck pond for some play-time. I don't think I am going to be going without another adult again any time soon. Squeaker got so hungry I had to stop to feed her, and so Emma was in charge of Lilly- who immediately ran off and kersplatted in a huge mud puddle. She was pretty happy about it too!! I laughed for the rest of the day!

The next day was time for Piggy to go back to her mom's- always a sad time. The drive down was uneventful, although the drive back was about ten times worse than Friday. Oi vey! I bought some ear plugs today :) Even with all that, gotta love them!

Mini-BaBa and the 40 Monks

Although there isn't a ton new in our world, there are a couple pictures I just couldn't wait to share with ya'll. The girls and I have been puttering around Nashville, and making sure we get enough grandparent time every step of the way. Yesterday we met for Sonic with M & D and their awesome friends. It was super fun, not to mention that Monka went cuckoo-bananas for Dad's Strawberry-Limeade. She was hermetically sealed to the cup, and kept on chewing the straw waaaaaaaay after all the drink was gone!!

The Squeaker is finally turning into a real little baby, her acne and redness starting to clear up. It is amazing how different than Lilly she looks and acts. She is just as good as Monka, don't get me wrong, but so different. For starters, she definitely got Daddy's ears (lucky her) and has a completely different nose than her big sister. Don't know what it will look like yet, but it just has firmer cartalidge (sp?) in her nostrils and such. Also, she is a little runtier, in a cute way... The doc said she is in the 10th percentile for height, weight (6lb 11 oz), and head size. Hey, what a well rounded kid! Today is her 1st month birthday, and I could swear she hasn't gotten any bigger- but maybe that is how you forget that they were ever so small. It just sneaks up on you, and BOOM! They are 18 and moving out.

We have pencilled in a family trip to see Howard at the beach this summer; I only mention it because I can't wait to see the girls at the water. We took them to the beach at Old Hickory Lake a couple of days ago, and Lilly tried to dive in headlong. It was about 70 on the shore, but I bet the water was still about 50. Go figure, she is a little fishie just like her Momma.

What a beautiful day for Monkies!!!

Boy what awesome weather we have been having! (Up until today....) First, we start our days in paradise with a jammie party... Well, Momma and Mini nap while Daddy and Monk have their private, VIP, invite only jammie party. Pay no attention to the Momma behind the mini-Monkey.

Then after Daddy goes to work, we frolick in the fields at the park, that has a DUCK POND!!!






Then maybe we meet Daddy for some lunch, or a little Maxin' and Relaxin'-









Meanwhile, the little little mini spends most of her time sleeping still... so we pick violets for her!















All the while stealing some good food and juice from Momma!

Did we mention we had Medium-Sized Monk (also known as Big Monkey, a.k.a. Emma) this past weekend? Boy is she ever photogenic, and well behaved! Sounds like sarcasm, but I swear it's the truth.

Last but not least, our American Gothic picture. We all look a little goofy, but maybe that personifies us.

The Cinematic Monkey Revue Debut!

Thats right! Who knew we would have yet another movie star in our midst! I forgot that I shouldn't turn the camera to the side, so the first part of the video is more of an outtake reel. Like we said before, Lilly thinks Bernie's name is "Gentle"- in no small part our fault!

Also, normal life has ensued around here, as is depicted by this condemning evidence.

Exhibit A:

One snoozy Daddy-Mini combo

Exhibit B:

Too much breakfast fun!!

And yes, I'm aware I look a lot like Alice Cooper here...

Lastly it has been decided that we do indeed have a Squeaky Peanut. Just to let you know...

Juggling the Monkas!

I think we finally have the barnyard trained so that they take turns fussing! I know that today is only Bernie's two week birthday- but she is a fast learner.


All she does is sleep for the most part though. You'd think we could channel that into her sleeping through the night (!!!) but not yet. She is getting in good four hour chunks though, and tonight will be her third night in her new room. What a grown-up.

Speaking of grown-up babies, Baby Monk (not to be confused with Mini-Monk) is looking suspiciously like a little girl, a toddler even!! All smiles and squeals, too. She is handling Bernie a little better. She still thinks the new one's name is "Gentle" and is really good at rubbing her head softly. Well, as softly as a 1 year old can manage. Lilly is doing a little of the clinging thing, but so long as we keep her well-fed, it cuts seriously down on her fussing, which is almost nonexistent anyways.

As for the puzzle of what Bernie's barnyard style moniker will be, right now it is either the Squeaky Peanut, or the Barking Wolf Monk, with the former being the forerunner. This weekend, the big Monkey will be in town, and maybe she can help us shed a little light on what it will end up being.

Life as we know it has pretty much regained normalcy for us Evans'. Our new house is complete now that we have a washer and dryer, and we are even thinking about maybe buying it some day. I am looking forward to a little bit of easier times as the girls get older, and definitely some time off from being pregnant. I decided today that I have what you'd call an "overactive uterus" HAHAH!

The monkies and I have ventured out of the house nearly every day to eat ethnic stuff and shop and meet with friends, and it is a great feeling. I am back down to my pre-Bernie size (note: NOT my pre-Lilly size, yet) and splurged on some clothes. It feels really great to not pant when I walk up the stairs or climb in bed. My and Jay's friend Sarah has moved here from Atlanta as well, and she and I even did some galavanting today.

While I am thinking of it, I would like to spread the news and congrats a little further on Chelsea and Chris deciding to get hitched and have babies too! They can help us contribute to the hockey team we are trying to spawn.

Last but not least, I've uncovered what we've dubbed a Retro-Lilly picture to share! She sure loved that fan mister....

Mini-Monk est Arrive!

As I am sure you all know, Mini-Monk graced us with her presence on the 25th of this month! Her stats are:

Violet Bernadette Evans

6 lb 8 oz

born 9:39 a.m.

Feburary 25th, 2009

The labor was short, I only had to push twice, and no stitches! Woohoo!!

Just like with Lilly, the doc barely made it to delivery on time, go figure. I guess I am really good at that part. :) So far, Lilly seems to think she found Bernie at the hosiptal for us, and we decided to keep her.

So, if ya'll haven't gotten the picture yet, we have upgraded from a newsletter to a blog, that way we can do pictures, text, and videos in an orderly fashion, without clogging up anyone's inbox. Hopefully this thing works where it can be subscribed to, and you will receive notice when we post something new.

A little Munster originale update: we like to walk as a primary method of transportation now, and we like to order our own breakfast! We have our own room in our new house as well, and a fantastic new pair of Weeboks.

As for Bernie, she got her very first bath today, and smells like coconuts! You really do forget how tiny they are....

Yay! We have the best kids in the world!!!!