2 Months In

2 months old and counting

Well, we have made it past the 2 month mark. Evelyn is growing like crazy and amazing us day in and day out. There have been too many moments to count that consistently top my list of experiences each day. I am completely in love with this little girl.

One of my top moments thus far was coming home from work a few weeks ago. To give a little backstory first: Evelyn is very much like her momma; her default face is very serious, and she (at that point) was just very chill and content. Very much a, “I’m here now leave me alone,” type attitude. Her cousin Ryder, who was born 9 days prior, is a pretty happy go lucky kid and smiles constantly. Evely, however, didn’t smile too often, unless she was knocked out, dreaming about who knows what.

So, back to the moment I mentioned. I come home from work after missing my two ladies all day, I come in the door with my usual; “Hey! I’m home!!” Jessica is standing in the kitchen holding Evelyn and when I say “I’m home,” Evelyn turns her head towards me. Given her tiny baby eyes, she can’t see me because I’m too far away. As I come into the kitchen, and closer to this little lady, she locks eyes with me and gives the biggest grin! My little girl just smiled as big as she can when she saw me. It was a magical moment.

Grinning and vocal

Over the course of the last month, this beautiful little girl has become extremely vocal. She loves to lay on her activity mat in the floor kicking and swinging her arms at the toys dangling above her. She does this all while giving the sweetest “ooohhs” and “aaaahhs”. Every once in a while you will catch a little giggle.

Where a month ago, catching a smile was rare, now Evelyn smiles so much. Morning, afternoon, and night, she is one happy little girl. Her smiles are so beautiful and fill me with so much joy. She gives her momma big smiles whenever she catches sight of her.

Evelyn was selective in her smiles once she started doing it often. Jessica was one of the folks who she was holding out on. But, there are many things that are worth the wait, and this was no different. Just as soon as Jessica was getting a little perturbed that everyone else was getting sweet smiles, her and Evelyn were having a moment together, and she gave her momma the biggest smile. It was an adorable moment.

They are not all happy moments

So, with reaching two months means we had her two month doctor’s appointment, and two month shots. Discussing it ahead of time, Jessica asked that I hold Evelyn while she gets her shots. Jessica is concerned she will not handle it well, and I thought, “yeah, of course, I CAN handle it.” Well…I didn’t handle it well. The nurse asked that I lay Evelyn down on the examination table, and hold her arms. Keep in mind she loves kicking and swinging her arms around. So, I stand over her, holding her hands thinking I am going to keep her calm during this ordeal.

As I stand over her, trying to keep her distracted, she is looking away from me and the nurse gives her the first shot. As soon as she feels she needle, Evelyn snaps her head around to look at me. An absolute devasted look of betrayal is directed at me. I can tell it in her eyes she knew this was my fault and she hated me for it. My heart sank into my stomach and it hurt. As she got her three shots, the tears welled up in both our eyes. I wanted nothing more than to hold her close and tell her how sorry I was.

We finish the shots and turn around to see momma behind us, crying just as hard. I did my best to hold it together, but once the nurse finally left the room, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I am man enough to admit, I cried. I cried hard. I told Jessica that at Evelyn’s 4-month appointment, it’s her turn to hold her. We left the doctor’s office and I went to work seeing Evelyn’s pained look haunting me all day.

That evening I got home and thought to myself, “okay, if she gives me the usual welcome home smile, we are all good.” I kid you not, I got home and walked over to her, and this little girl flipped me off!! Now, I know it was just a random action as she doesn’t have the best control over her limbs. BUT, it was a fitting reaction given the ordeal that morning.

2 months down, moving onward

As we breeze through each month, I wouldn’t trade any moment, good or bad with this little angel. Whether she gives me big smiles or looks at me with tears in her eyes, I am happy to be able to hold her, play with her and be her dad.  I look forward to the coming summer months and the things warm weather will bring. Going swimming, taking the boat out, and enjoying the nice weather. We are going to have a blast!