Eva Walking

I finally caught Eva walking on video!

Addiction

Eating pine straw at Adalina's birthday party.

Sweet Eva.

We found out this weekend that your daddy's uncle has passed away. The circumstances are tragic, and I'll spare you the macabre details. Your daddy and I took you out to visit your Grandma and Grandaddy, since they were sad about the death of their brother. You're starting to take lots of steps in a row, and it cheered your grandparents up to watch you walk and talk and play.

You're good at making people happy. Your innocence, your funny gestures, your beauty, your big, burgeoning personality -- you're the light of our world. It was lovely to watch our sweet little girl learning and growing, even in the midst of mourning.

There is a lot of addiction in your family, on both sides. Your daddy's uncle struggled with alcoholism all his life, and he had a hard time taking care of himself. He drifted from relative to relative, from job to job, and never was able to care for himself long-term. He did a few stints in rehab a few different times, and made a few half-hearted attempts at recovery. Somehow, though, recovery never really stuck for him. Well-intentioned family members would always pull through to bail him out of trouble, so he never had to feel the consequences of his behavior. It is really, really hard for the people who cared for your daddy's uncle right now, especially your Grandaddy and his sister. They are feeling guilty, looking back over their lives to try to figure out what they did wrong or what they might have done to make it turn out different.

The truth is, though, nobody can be responsible for another person. Your daddy's uncle made bad choices that lead him to a very dark place. He was a sick, sick man who died from a terrible disease. Addiction and alcoholism, left untreated, end in jails, institutions, and death.

Walking with your daddy's side of our family through this experience has made me think a lot. Your daddy works very hard to fight his own addiction. You will grow up knowing that your daddy goes to meetings, and I hope you grow up honoring the work that he's done to keep that nasty disease at bay. I hope you grow up in a home free from active addiction, and I hope you never have to see any of the ugliness that can come from that disease when it starts to spiral out of control. I hope you are as proud of your daddy as I am for the hard work he's done to make a good life for you and me.

I hope that watching your daddy work so hard to keep his disease in check and hearing stories about the ways alcoholism and addiction have done so much harm in your family will help you make wise choices, especially in this area. You will have a genetic proclivity toward this disease, but your daddy and I hope that your growing up in a home filled with the language of recovery and the Spirit of God will give you the tools you need to make good choices.

Eva's First Birthday Party!

This was at the end of the party. Eva was exhausted and covered in finger paint and chocolate.

Eva's whole family.

Eva's boyfriend Hudson.

Cupcakes by Auntie Sara

Eva's favorite toy was a gift from Windsor.

Daddy is eating Eva's feet!

Jameya with Hudson.

Cousin Nathan

Cousin Tristan

Cousin Sara

Fancy birthday dress

The most beautiful girl in the whole world.

Dirt cake!

I have so much to say about Eva's first birthday, but I'm overwhelmed. My baby is 1. She's perfect and beautiful and walking and talking. I can't believe how much she's grown and how cool she is.

On the Occasion of Your Almost Birthday

Dear Eva,

You are almost 1 now! This past Friday, you took your first few steps. You're still not confident walking, but you're practicing and getting better.

I like watching you become yourself. You are cautious about walking...you could totally run across the room if you'd allow yourself. I'm glad you have some restraint and caution.

At other times, though, you're a wild woman. You want to climb the stairs and climb up in chairs. That's a new, adorable thing you're doing...you climb up in any child's chair and are very satisfied with yourself when you are able to sit like a grown-up.

You remain the most beautiful and delicious person I've ever met. You're my dearest friend and the love of my life. I never knew I could love so effortlessly and so entirely. You are lovely, dear girl, and it has been such an honor to be your host in this world for the last year. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you and watching you grow up, up, up and away.

I love you.

Almost 1

 My sweet, beautiful girl is almost 1. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by!

In the picture above, Eva is on my horse. She is also holding her cow. When you squeeze the cow, he says, "Mooo." Eva also says, "Moo."

 

Here is a picture of Eva taking the entire bed hostage. She's still pretty small, but she takes a lot of room at night when she does this sideways thing. 

Eva went on a date with Hudson. Hudson's mom brought him out to meet some of our coworkers at lunch, and I brought Eva as well. They hadn't seen each other in a while, but it looks like the romance is still alive and well.

Eva did get a little bored when he wanted to talk about football. This is Hudson's "Touchdown" trick.

Eva is going in for the kiss. The high-chairs wouldn't allow too much smooching. Hudson's mom was also afraid that he might smack Eva, since that's how he shows affection.

Eva suggests Hudson woo her with a romantic foot massage.

Hudson accepts, and Eva looks satisfied.

Hooray for foot massages!

Eva offers Hudson a sexy pose to reward him for the excellent foot massage. He's astonished.