E's big weekend

Whew... what a weekend!

EJB overcame her newly acquired "stranger danger", got some serious bonding time with her extended family and emerged from her birthday weekend very happy, very exhausted... and very spoiled.

B-day bash at the GMI daycare? Check. Baptism? Check. B-day bash with G'mas, G'pas, aunts and an "uncle"? Check. Minnesota Children's Museum? Check. Como Zoo? Check. Tearful goodbyes as planes boarded for NYC, Ohio, Colorado and cars departed to New Ulm and SLP? Check.

Evie Jane Backer, you're one loved little girl!

1 year

Already?!? Already?!? Wow, our little girl turned one today. We've got a big weekend planned, so more on this to come...

For now, here's a little video tribute to lil' Miss Evie Jane's first year, as well as the monthly update.

A few of Evie's latest tricks include:

• Replying with a string of quacks to, "hey Evie, what does a duck say?"
• Pointing out Mom's eyes, ears, nose and mouth
• Signing "please" and "thank you"

A few of Evie's latest favorite things include:

• Endlessly circling the coffee table (usually laughing at herself)
• French fries
• Waking up every 2-3 hours throughout the night for play time (a habit we thought we kicked several months ago)

Happy Birthday LMB!

Linds kicked off her 31st in enjoying the traditional of breakfast-in-bed (although it seems this relaxing "luxury" is becoming more chaotic and crowded these days!).

Here's to many more, Linds... We love you!

Spring's first visit

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here (I mean, snow does occasionally drop in May here in the Northland), but it sure does feel like Spring here lately. With temps in the upper 50s and the sun beaming brightly the last several days, Linds and I have been taking "the pack" out and about pretty regularly once again.

Evie seems to enjoy getting back outside and taking in the scenery... however, her new favorite game of tossing anything she can get her hands on to the ground and yelling "uh-oh" gets a little annoying for ol' daddy-O as I'm constantly picking up and wiping down her toys, food, sippy, etc.

Breckenridge

Linds, Evie and I (plus Joe & Tisha and La & her Joe) skipped town and headed to CO last weekend for a few days of skiing and mountain life... oh yeah, and to see Nana Nancy.

Aside from the fabulous mountain skiing, it was really great to see Evie conquer her "stranger danger" (at least temporarily) and get some quality bonding time with a few of her aunts, uncles and G'ma Backer.

We're looking forward to more of the same next weekend for E's big birthday bash!

Generation Tech

Linds and Evie shortened the distance this weekend with the occasional video chat. I'm not 100% certain that she totally "gets it", but E definitely locks on the screen when Linds speaks and is quick to blow her Mom a few kisses...

One on one

I got my first look at what life as a single parent would look like this weekend as Linds has been off "working" in Phoenix since Friday morning. After 72 hours without a tag-team partner... this guy is fried!

Actually, I did have a little help (Auntie La spent a half-day on the town with us on Saturday) and E & I did enjoy having a little 1:1 time without all the "rules" that come with having a mom around (just don't tell Linds we said that!). For example, Evs was allowed to zip down the slides chaperone-less, got her first taste of french fries and ice cream and may have spent a little less time bathing and Purell'ing and a little more time partying it up with dear ol' dad.

Nonetheless, hats off to all the stay-at-home moms/dads, parents of multiples, et cetera... I can only imagine.