Pass The Poi Mahalo

Bags are packed, iPod is loaded, toenails are painted... we're goin' to Hawaii! I'll post when we return!

Evelyn Makes Her West Coast Debut

This past weekend was a big weekend for Miss Evelyn - she took her first ride on an airplane, met almost all of her family in Oregon and Washington and even met some good friends.


Thursday, after saying good-bye to Daddy and a morning of travelling, Evelyn got to see her Papa Mike who hasn't seen her since the beginning of January. She has changed so much in 2 months and he was absolutely smitten with her. (He, by the way, happens to love the nickname Pudge! That is, when he's not calling her EVKO, a la Rachael Ray. Ugh.) Thursday night also gave Evelyn the opportunity to meet Bama & Papa's very best friends, Molly & Jerry. She even got to meet their pup, Maggie Mae, who didn't know just what to think of this little person that was just her size.


Friday, was a day filled with family, although under sad circumstances as we attended the funeral of one of my mom's cousins. Evelyn got to meet her Great Nanny, my Auntie Julie & Uncle Gary, my Great Auntie Winnie, Great Auntie Bonnie and Uncle Stan, cousins Bob and Pat, Tammy and Scott and Karin and Ken.

Evelyn and her Great Nanny

4 generations of Antich women

Friday evening brought her introduction to her Great Gramma Betty. Evelyn and I spent Friday and Saturday nights with Great Gram. Up until then, I thought Ethan and I had been doing a pretty good job raising our little girl! :) Gramma was appalled that we weren't giving Evelyn water in addition to her formula and that I wasn't feeding her rice cereal yet! :) We all shared a few chuckles over that.

Evelyn and her Great Gramma Betty

Saturday was another big day for Miss Evelyn. Her Auntie Nissa, Uncle Jeff and McKenna made the drive up to Aberdeen to meet their niece/cousin. I wish I could find the words to describe how much McKenna loves her "baby Evelyn." As soon as she walked in the door, she knew that she had to wash her hands and sit down before she could hold her. She was smiling cheek to cheek all afternoon. McKenna wanted to hold her, she wanted to help feed her, she wanted to play with her, she wanted to burp her, she wanted to know what she was saying - all this between the kisses she was giving her. It was the sweetest thing you've ever seen. At one point, McKenna even announced "I wish she was my sister." It still makes me smile.

McKenna holds her baby Evelyn

McKenna loves her baby Evelyn

Auntie Nissa, McKenna and Evelyn (Uncle Jeffy was taking pictures)

Saturday afternoon we gathered at my cousin Jenny's house where Evelyn met even more cousins! Cousin Sophia (8 mos) gave us a glimpse of our future 6 months from now and cousin Kallie (4 yrs) dubbed Evelyn "Baby Elevyn" (this was right before she told us that her favorite cartoon is "Helly Titty" and her favorite cereal is "Hairy Nuts Cheerios!")

Evelyn and I with cousin Jenny and her girls Kallie and Sophia

Sunday, our last day in Washington, Evelyn got to meet one of my best friends from college, Gina. She and her husband took the ferry from Seattle to meet Evelyn at Mom & Dad's place. It is so nice to know that we have friends that will go out of their way to see us. We had a great time visiting and Evelyn loved meeting our G.

D, E & G

Thanks to everyone for making it such a wonderful weekend. Evelyn and I are looking forward to our next visit - it can't come soon enough.

To Do: Call United Airlines

How old do you have to be to get your own Frequent Flyer card? Seriously! If this past weekend was any indication of how well this girl will travel, I may take her everywhere I go!

Evelyn was an amazing traveller this weekend. I followed everyone's advice and made sure she was eating or sucking on her pacifier during take-off and landings to help with the change in pressure - it worked! Not even one little peep from her! During our short little flights in and out of Des Moines, Miss Evelyn was wide awake, but perfectly content having me hold her in my lap. Our long trips from Minneapolis to Seattle and Seattle to Chicago were a mother's dream come true. Little missy slept the ENTIRE way! I am so lucky!

Miss Evelyn waiting to board our plane at Sea-Tac