Tag Archives: michael

first little family christmas morning

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Before we left for Wisconsin on the night of December 21st, we had our own little Christmas morning that day. Luckily, Santa got the message and came to fill our stockings the night before.

A little blurry, but I wanted to show how cute Evie was, checking out the owls on her stocking. :)

A book, Wind in the Willows. Santa may have started a tradition by giving her a classic book in her stocking each year.

oooo… what is this toy?

She really liked her clementines.

… and her puzzle. She really likes animals.

Sitting in her chair from Grandma & Grandpa, holding her clapping roller.

… and Evie playing with her gift from us, a Radio Flyer Walker Wagon. She has gotten really good at standing by herself, holding onto the bar. When we move the wagon forward, she has even learned to take steps forward!

We had a relaxing morning, drinking coffee and playing with Evelyn. We look forward to more Christmas mornings with our little family … especially next year, when Evie can better grasp the wonder of the season.

(Dec 21, 2012)

sun & surf & smiles

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Evelyn was apprehensive of the ocean water, to say the least.

She gripped onto her Daddy & skeptically eyed the water.

However, with him safely nearby, she became much more comfortable at the shoreline.

Eventually, she was sitting in the water, on a mission to touch all of the sand in her reach, and quite unaffected by the gentle waves.

Later that evening, before ice cream & pizza (in that order, of course), a little walk to the park next to our condo.

I love her little set jaw.

Wet hair, no makeup, sundress, flip flops … I love the beach life.

Sunset & my babes.

I think she’s a fan of this place. (Me too.)

Our last morning … relaxing on the porch … looking out at the gulf … eating delicious bagel sandwiches & drinking coffee from the Tuckaway Bagel & Wafel Cafe (yum).

… and enjoying our cherub.

Crusty nose & all.

Little did we know, this little one had an ear infection … in BOTH of her ears. (We didn’t find this out until the next day, in Dayton, at the doctor’s office.)

Obviously, because she was just SO cranky.

(…and she’s played with her ears ever since she was born.)

What a perfect period of respite. Lauren, thank you for hooking us up with the awesome condo… it was secluded & so relaxing. Exactly what this little family needed. We just may be using it again in the future!

(Dec 4, 2012)

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beach baby

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At the beginning of December, we went to Captiva Island, Florida, for a wedding. We stayed a day or so longer in a condo, just relaxing. Michael and I had been very busy at work, and it was right before the busy holidays, so it was SO nice to just do NOTHING for that short period of time. It was just the 3 of us, in a condo, on the beach … with no plans.

Heaven.

Our little pineapple on the beach.

:)

Talking to Daddy.

She really liked the sand & beach toys.

Ahhhhhhhh.  Perfect.

to be continued

(Dec 3, 2012)

december snapshots

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December was a fun month.

Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, a visit from Papa, Christmas cookie-baking, house-decorating, Evie food making, learning to crawl (..Evie), Santa visiting & best of all … ending the month with wonderful Christmas visits with family in Wisconsin and Ohio!

If you’d like to follow me on instagram to see (many) more photos, request to follow abartowi.

our family in the fall

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Kelly of Daphne Photo Studio took some absolutely gorgeous photos for us, again in November, when Evelyn was 7 months old. She took photos when Evelyn was about 3 months, as well. I love how Kelly captures all of Evie’s varied expressions! Kelly, you do such gorgeous work… I look forward to more sessions with you in the future!

CHECK. OUT. this hair craziness. Every strand on her head is seriously a drastically different length than the other.

(This one cracks me up.)

… and this one too. Silly Mommy & Daddy.

lol

…raspberries.

(Nov 17, 2012)

little fishy

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Wooo! I just hit 200 posts. Crazy.

but I digress….. for some more cuteness.

We took a swim “class” for babies with Evelyn. It was a HIT. She loves water. She especially loves to splash in it.

Thanks to Marcy for capturing these photos!

When she would lean back on us on her back, her entire body would be relaxed, except for her legs. Her little pudgy sausages, they stuck straight out of the water. Hilarious.

Swimming near her BFF Katelyn. They both looked like pieces of fruit … Katelyn, a strawberry and Evelyn, a pineapple.

huge milestone for this little Irish girl

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Wow, I’m way behind on posting pictures on the blog. While I love blogging, I can’t feel too bad about being behind because that time is instead being spent on wonderful things: mainly spending every second with Michael & Evelyn where possible! In the evenings, We typically get home around 5:30/6:00, feed Evelyn while we’re making dinner, give her some finger food while we’re eating, I nurse her, then it’s play time for a while. That goes by too fast and already it’s 7:00/7:30 – time to read a book or two and put her to bed. Afterward, my mental list of items I want to accomplish in the couple of hours before my bedtime is already too long.

So, when you don’t see posts, it’s a good thing! We’re making memories. Also, I’m going to keep the commentary brief on these next few posts, just to get caught up.

On November 3, some of our family joined us on Notre Dame’s campus to go to the ND/Pittsburgh game. It was Evelyn’s first time at a Notre Dame game, but Grandma, Evelyn and I actually didn’t go TO the game. We hung out in LaFortune (the student center) and stayed warm & cozy.

First, we went to brunch in Amish country. Evie took a nap in Grandpa’s arms to prepare for the big day.

Ericha, Michael’s parents’ former next door neighbor … but she’s part of the family. 

Andrew, Michael’s cousin & Godson.

Evie, Michael and the Dome.

The whole gang …

… and Darrell & Laurel! We’re so happy they came too. 

At the Grotto.

South Quad on gameday.

The Band of the Fighting Irish at Bond Hall … and a crazy band alumni.  ::rolls eyes::

“Hi everyone!”

Snuggling with Grandma.

The next day, sporting her new Packers spirit wear, from Grandpa & Grandma!

Suspicion. 

…and pure cuteness.

snapshots, oct 26-21

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If you’d like to see even more photos, as they happen, request to follow me on Instagram. My username is abartowi.

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post-nap smiles, shopping with mommy, first time in a high chair, first high school football game, first pumpkin patch, hanging out with Rilo the dog

sitting at the table like a big girl, walking home from yoga with mommy, belly laughs with daddy, yummy pumpkin cake from Laurel, duplicate Evie/Rilo pic (just too cute), quality time with Uncle Chris

classic fall in oakwood, first solid foods bought from the market, out to brunch with daddy, all tuckered out.

nc to see c+c

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We drove to North Carolina in October to visit my brother & his girlfriend in their new town of Charlotte. It was an awesome weekend, full of quality time, catch-up and absolutely delicious food. Our culinary experience that weekend included homemade pad thai, an entire dish of peanut butter cookie dough brownie something-or-others, homemade breakfast sandwiches, the discovery of Zaxby’s, bagel dip, BBQ at a blues festival, and an awesome breakfast cafe on Sunday.

But moving beyond the food … it was so relaxing to hang out with Chris & Carley in their new home. Chris used to live in Dayton with us, since he graduated college … so we were used to having him around all of the time. I definitely took it for granted. Even though I am so happy for him & proud of him for getting such an amazing job, I sorely miss him!

On Saturday before the Notre Dame game, Chris & Carley took us to a nearby lake and we walked around it. It was the perfect day … bright blue sky, slightly warm air, bright sun. Evelyn loves to be outside anytime, but today, it truly was a treat.

Checking out the water.

Evie & her Uncle Chris :)

Michael, Evie, Chris & Carley.

Cutest couple ever.

Cutest dad + baby ever.

Chris being his awesome self.

Settling in for naptime.

nom nom nom

Our little family of three!

Like I said … cutest couple ever.   … Am I right?

… and this is when we found a completely unopened can of Bud Light. He almost drank it … but it was too early in the morning.

the gang :)

C+C + Evie

Happy baby.

Standing up (with help) like a big girl.

(Love Evelyn’s face here … “whoooa!”)

Later on that day … gametime! This is a great picture of Michael and Evelyn.

She debuted her newest piece to her ND collection that day. It’s a gorgeous handmade dress by Laura, who has a shop on Etsy: Handmade by Lolo Z.  I highly, highly recommend her work. The dress was even more beautiful in person than the picture on Etsy. The dress is also awesome because it’s a knot dress – so the straps can be adjusted to grow with Evie.

Our little football girl.

hehe

Laughing at Uncle Chris. Who wouldn’t?

She loves her Uncle Chris & Aunt Carley.

Daddy kisses

Love, love, love.

… and, we’ll end with this face. You know this face, ND fans. It’s face you make 80% of the duration of our games. Lately, it ends in relief, but not without some pain. (9-0, GO IRISH BEAT BC!)

(Oct 13, 2012)