Tim

Hello Eve!

What up chicken butt? I haven't written for a while, but that's what is cool about a deal like this, you can always add something more later. Well, your Mom is still wearing out the cameras. First still photos, now videos. Most are pretty cool though, and they help everyone keep up with what you have been up to. The last few videos have been really cute. You are talking about stuff in sort of your own language, but I am not sure what you are saying. It's probably something like laughing about how you have trained your Mom and Dad so well and that they have bought in so easily to seeing to your every whim and notion. Anyway, that's cool, enjoy it while you can. By the way, how's the potty training going? Your Mom has been trying to potty train you. I am not sure how that's working out, especially after you peed and pooped on her and your blankets about a ten times. It was a good thought, though Mom. You are growing like crazy. You are starting to look like a little kid, kind of. But, you are holding your head up better, and for that matter your own body. I believe you will be walking before most kids. You are already almost as tall as your Mom, so maybe you will be a basketball player. Don't get too tall though, because NASA has a height restriction. Like I said, your Mom has done a really good job of keeping everyone up to speed on your development, while you live so far away. I would say that is one of the things that all of us look forward to. Hey, I'll try and do a little better and drop you a note more often. Have a wonderful Christmas and we love you and miss you very much.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Hello Eve!!

Just wanted you to know how much I am looking forward to seeing you for your very 1st Christmas! It seems you like the snow, but I hope it isn't snowing when we try to drive across the country to see you!

Your parents managed to get a video of you to come across over the internet and it is of you giggling!!! I have played it over and over and over. You just crack up when your Momma buzzes like a bee! Seeing you in the video is almost as good as being right there with you!

I am sure I have really surprised your Momma and Daddy with my computer skills! I am the first one in the family that has put a picture on your blog site. Anything for you! I'm sure this will start something and everyone will be joining in!

It has been the most amazing Christmas season this year! I think just having you in our lives has made everything seem so much more meaningful. We are all happier and more peaceful and look forward to each new day and what you are doing next. Thank you for making all of us see what is most important in life. Family!

See you soon! Try and give your momma a break and just give in and go to sleep - I promise, you won't miss a thing!

All my love,

Gramasortore

Cuter by the day

Hello again little one!
I first wanted to note how cute you have been getting. Every time your mom sends me a new picture I say that it is my new favorite, you just keep getting cuter by the day. I think me and your grama might come out to see you soon. I can't wait to hold you again. I bet you are getting heavy. You look like you have grown so much since last time I saw you. With all the pictures your mom takes, you might just become an actress at the age of 2. You are definately cute and smart enough. So I just finished school for the rest of the year and I am so excited. When I get done with school like this it makes me miss everyone so much more, because usually it means a holiday is near. I heard you experienced your first snow the other day? You were smiling in your pictures so I am sure you enjoyed it. You will probably like the cold weather like your mom. You will probably love it when it gets cold and you can wear sweaters and hats everyday. Speaking of sweaters your mom use to have a favorite sweater that she wore everyday. I think it was lavender with a cool pattern around the neck. I am not kidding she loved this thing and literally wouldn't take it off. You will have to ask her about it when you get in grade school and see if she has it to hand down to you. Well enjoy the rest of winter. I can't wait to see you. Love you. Aunt Jill

getting so cold

Thanksgiving this year was fun. We spent it in D.C. with your friend Cayden. You were so good and of course you looked adorable in your pumpkin outfit. Daddy went to Las Vegas, but he called frequently and asked how his squirt was. I don't know how this infant potty training is going. We have to keep you naked and you pee and poop on me and the floor frequently as a result. It's funny the first few times, but the carpet is taking a beating. Of course, your dad loves it and cracks up every time. Your first Christmas is coming up soon, so we'll have to start a tradition. I don't know what it will be yet, but I'll try to be creative. We are going up to Pittsburgh to see your grammie and poppie and some great grandmas and aunts and uncles. You've started to not like any strangers. Even people that you used to like, if they get up in your face to talk to you, you get the saddest look on your face and immediately start crying. You experienced your first day of snow on Monday, December 6. Of course, we took pictures of you in the snow and you loved it. However, you love doing anything outside, even if it's below freezing. You did have your first out-loud giggle. It was two days ago. Your dad was holding you and making you throw punches at my face and you started giggling. It was so cute we had to try and make you laugh again. We sang songs to you and eventually what did it was holding a toy in front of your face and making it buzz around you. You repeatedly laughed out-loud and I think your dad and I could have done it all day without it getting old. Your sleeping patterns have been hard on your mom lately. You won't sleep for more than three hours at a time. Last night you did sleep for two 5 hour shifts, which was a big relief. I have been trying to guilt the rest of the family into writing more. For some, it has been over a month! I guess they will write when they have something worth while to say. I will write again soon. Love you.

Kiddo

Hello Kiddo!
Well you have now officially experienced your 1st thanksgiving! How was it! I am sure it was full of eating, sleeping, and complaining like the rest of us. It was sure sad not getting to spend it with and your mom and dad, but you were in our thoughts. I hope Christmas isn't the same. I imagine your grama told you that thanksgiving is a tradition that we hold sacred in our family. Grama always cooks yummy food that someday you will get to experience and believe it or not you will crave it more than milk. Unbelievable I know! It sounds like you are pooping and peeing out of control during your pre potty training. Your mom and dad are having trouble, but your aunt Jill finds it hilarious to hear. We are back to school and it sucks because we have had so much time off, but Christmas will be here soon. Speaking of Christmas did you know that we discovered you were on your way last Christmas. Yeah you may have heard this, but it reminded me of it because your grama and I were putting up decorations and stumbled across a stocking. This stocking was hung with the others during christmas morning, but it didn't belong to anyone and it had a question mark on it. After opening gifts we decided it was time to reveal this secret stocking and inside was a pregnancy test your mom had taken that showed your were on your way to this world. Cool Huh! It will be exciting to open presents and our stockings knowing you are with us. So Merry Christmas Little EJ. Hope to see you soon. Aunt Jill

Thanksgiving 2005

Hello Eve,
I wanted to wish you a very happy 1st Thanksgiving! This is a very special holiday in our family. We love getting together with each other and all of our friends talking and laughing and reminiscing. It is always a fun time! I know you and your parents can't be in Kansas this year but we are setting a place at the table for you and will include you in our prayers and thankful list. Right now I am waiting for a pumpkin pie to finish baking. The good smells are filling the house. Your family has alot of different traditions. We usually have wildlife of some kind on this day along with turkey. This year is no different because your great grandfather is bringing 3 wild ducks for me to cook. I don't know if you would like duck but I grew up eating the meat that my dad hunted and it is one of my favorite meals. Your aunts Jillie and E are here and everyone is happy and healthy. We all find ourselves saying how much we wish you were here. Not to worry though, there will be plenty of Thanksgivings that we can celebrate together.
Your Momma is so excited about her new furniture! I can't wait to sit on it! Be careful when you are on the new furniture (don't let anything slip out when your diaper is off!) Your dad will be falling asleep holding you in his new chair!
I hear you are now grunting and growling like a bear! Did you know that your Momma used to collect bears? I still have alot of them here in Kansas! Just keep trying new things! I love getting those phone calls when you momma tells me the new things you do!
Have a great day with your parents and your new friend. I know you won't be able to , but, try not to show him up too much!
I love you so!
GramaSortore

fun in the fall

We had so much fun today. Your dad and I took you to the National Arboretum to take some pictures. You fell asleep on the way there, but we woke you up and kept you up for about an hour and a half. You were cranky by the end of photo shoot, but you slept for a long time once we were done. We got so many great pictures. I immediately sent the pictures to the family to see and talked to them while they opened their emails. We ooohed and aaahed over how cute you were. We had interviewed someone to watch you while I went back to work and decided she was suitable, but turns out she can't now and no one else on base has any openings. That made my decision a little easier to stay home with you if I can't find any childcare. I can always take in a child to watch in our house for some extra money. That way you can have a friend as well as your ma taking care of you. We did get you a new walker. Even though it is for 6+ month children, you do just fine in it. Of course you can't touch the ground with your feet, so have to put a box under your feet. You stand in it though and play with the steering wheel already and love to watch dad and I play with the toys. You also really like your rattle. When it's in your hand you fling your arms in every direction to keep it rattling. You've also found your feet finally and like to keep your feet straight up in the air and grab your toes. I can't imagine that you will ever get them in your mouth because you have no flexiblity just like your dad and I. You also refuse to lay your head down whether you are being held or laying down you don't want your head to rest on anything. You still scream every time the vacuum cleaner is turned on. I guess I'll get off here, even though I could talk about you all day. Love you baby.

News from Kansas

Hello Evie!
Just wanted you to know how often I think of you and how I want to see and hold you again! You are growing up so fast and I love to hear all the new things you are doing! Your Momma tells me how spoiled you are but I know that isn't true! You just want to be part of the action ALL the time!
I just printed off some new pictures of you to send to your great Aunt Jenny in Tennessee! Grama is getting the hang of printing and saving your pictures in an actual folder (not just on the desktop of her computer!)
I am waiting to hear that you are crawling. I'm sure it will be sometime in the next month! Just in time for your first Christmas! I am trying to plan my next visit to see you. It will definitely be in late March if not before. Who knows--maybe me and your Aunts E and Jilllie will forego Christmas and try to come and see you!!! I just want you to know that no matter if we all are apart or together that we are a very loving family and we will always be a part of your life. You Momma has mentioned that maybe I should just move in with you and that way everything will be easier - I could watch you while Momma works and that way we could become even better friends! I told her not to joke about such things because I could move out to D.C. in a heartbeat! Maybe all of us could! Wouldn't that be fun? Aunt Jillie could work in one of the great art museums and Uncle Noah could become the U.S. Mint"s graphic artist for the new money they print, and Aunt E could be the new dietitian for the Washington Redskins (the pro football team that her boyfriend Dustin will be playing on catching passes!) How does that sound to you? Probably kind of scary!!! This is a good dream though!
I want you to know that you have changed my life in many ways! I traded in my yellow jeep and got a 4 door car!!! During your visit, I couldn't stand the problems your Momma and I had trying to take you places! Now, I can drive out to see you!! The care is awesome and even your Aunt E approves! She said it doesnt' look like an old lady's or a grama's car! I don't care if it does though because I am proud to call you my Granddaughter!
That is all the news from Kansas! Tell Momma to keep taking pictures and not to forget a video clip of you either! Love always, GramaSortore

Growing up fast

I just wanted everyone to know how fast I'm growing up. Mom put me on the scale today and I weighed 16 1/2 pounds. Other than that, I want to tell you a few things about myself. I am now able to hold my head up and that means that laying down is not fun anymore. Sure the mobiles are fun for about 10 minutes, but then it's time for mom to hold me in the sitting position so I can just look around for as long as I feel like. If I don't feel like sitting down, then I will totally stiffen my legs and stand and look around. I wake up every day at 5 o'clock and am up for good around 7. Morning is my favorite time and as soon as I wake up, my favorite thing to see is mom's face and I am all smiles until she makes me lay down in front of my window. It used to be my favorite spot, that is until I noticed how cool everything else looks while I'm sitting up. Notice the trend here with all the I's. That is because I am so independent and I look forward to the time when mom doesn't have to hold me and I can sit on my own and do what I want to do. Dad is still the best at putting me to sleep. All he has to do is hold me and I will fall asleep. I also met my first friend yesterday. His name is Cayden and he is a week younger than I. I tried to show off by talking a lot and I think we will have a lot of fun together. Love all you guys.

back on schedule

It's been a while, but I'll catch you up on everything that has gone on the last month or so. First of all, we had a wonderful time at home in Kansas. People always told me that infants only sleep on plane rides. Well you were an exception and were awake the whole 4 hours and fussing. You were just as big as the 4 month old that we sat next to also. The best thing was that she was the crying baby and you weren't! You got to visit so much of your family and of course you spent more time with your immediate family. Who could have imagined how much you would be loved by everyone. It was a given how much you meant to the grandparents, but your aunts are the ones that surprised me. Aunt Jill's love was concrete when you looked up into her eyes while she was rocking you and just cooed and smiled at her. Aunt Erin's love was obvious when she had to leave you for the last time. She wanted to carry you out to her car as she left. She didn't want to let you go and when she did she was trying not to cry. Even Grandpa was surprised by that. While you were home you received so many clothes that your closet is now full. I have been playing dress up with you ever since. Your grama was heartbroken that she couldn't be at home with you all day every day. She tried to keep you up at night to hang out with you and succeeded until about midnight. Your grandpa made you your first picture book which you should enjoy. Oh yeah, your dad missed us too. The first week was okay, but by the 8th day or so, he started telling us that he was ready for us to come home. Your dad even asked me to put the phone up to your ear so he could talk to you. Isn't that sweet.

Second, you had your two month doctor's appointment. You weighed about 15 pounds and were 25 inches long. That officially makes you amazon. You also received your shots, which about broke my heart. You screamed and didn't feel well for a whole week afterward. I definitely don't look forward to your next shots.

Third, your grammie and poppie are coming out to visit for Halloween and will be here in 4 days. They are so excited to see you again. Who knows what we'll be doing while they are here, but probably shoppig with grammie.

Fourth, we have started looking for someone to watch you while I work. Your dad told me that we would take all the money I earn and put it into a fund for you and hopefully for your college.

I guess, I need to be better about writing on your blog, but so do some others in the family. Hint, hint. Love you baby.

Little Pricess

Hey there little Princess!
It was sure good to see you on your visit to Coffeyville. You had so many visitors they drove even me crazy. Everyone came over to see you and kiss you and hold you. You are the first baby that I have ever changed a diaper for. It wasn't real exciting, but I am glad I get to practice on you. Your mom seemed pretty exhausted after getting you both home. She had to take you to get your shots and she just hated it because you cried so much. I bet it would be hard to hear a cry of pain from you. I wanted to remind you that you did pee on me on during your visit. You had just went number 1 and 2 and your mom gave you to me until she got a diaper, I was just getting ready to leave for church and you peed all over me. You might need to start practicing early on controlling that because your mom peed the bed until like 4th grade or something. Your Aunt E peed until she was in 8th grade I think, so this is your forewarning. I still think you are the most perfect little being though. I can't wait until next time. Love you.
Aunt Jill

Kansas is a much better place now

Eve,
Your time in Kansas has made this flat, humid, sparse landscape a peaceful, beautiful, exciting place again! You still have that amazing face (with fuller cheeks) that I remember seeing on your birthday!
I am very proud of how you and your Momma handled the plane ride and the long car trips! All of the family now knows that you are quite the traveler and nothing stands in the way of future travels!
Gramas home is very lonely and quiet now that you have gone back to the East Coast but the memories will last forever! Your presence here has created a new spark for life and living! You really made me feel like I was needed again and I will never let you down in any aspect imaginable!
I will cherish all the conversations we had and those adorable smiles. I even almost got the cloth diaper changing routine down within 45 seconds! You are definitely a morning person and greet each day with smiles and excitement! You also met almost all of you family - and made each one of us feel special! Even though you didn't like Grammie Dougan holding you, the responses you gave her when someone else held you made her happy!
Aunts Erin and Jill, love you so much, they don't know what to do now that you have gone home! You have positively converted both of them on babies and how much fun they can be!
Evenings were our special times. I loved holding and rocking you to sleep - and showing you that big, ugly woman in the kitchen. Shopping with you and your Momma was awesome! What a trooper you were! We were putting hats on you while you were in the stroller and just marveling on how cute you looked! (and of course, buying the hat!)
Also, you were introduced to a variety of pets while visiting me. Zoie and Harley, the cats, were very curious and knew you were someone special (they would hear you and check out the commotion). Wilson, the dog, however thought you were his responsibility! When you were unhappy, he would try to help and even whine with your cries. He wanted to go on every walk with you and your Momma. He even tore the screen off the front door and got his head stuck trying to catch up with you!
My hope is that you continue meeting your whole family and absorbing all we have to give and teach you. We are a diverse group with a big array of offerings and ideas. Some good, some strange, but all well intended. No topic would be ommitted!
Just know how much you and your parents are loved. I hope and pray that your family will live closer (in distance) so we can share in your life more as you grow. I really think this is a done deal, once your Daddy is finished with his Navy duties.
Next time I see you, I'm expecting a headfull of hair and you will either be crawling or possibly walking and of course every other word out of your mouth will be why or what's that? You are already very physically and intellectually advanced even at 6 weeks! (I didn't expect anything less)ha.
Remind you Momma to keep sending pics - especially the one of your matching leopard skin outfits!
I love and miss you terribly!
Grama

trip to kansas

It looks like we'll be travelling home to Coffeyville in a few days and your mom is really excited. You will have such a busy time meeting all your family and friends that you may hate it. Your grama is about to faint because she is so excited. She has collected all kinds of baby things for you, such as a car seat, stroller, crib, bassinet, and swing. You will be horribly spoiled by her and your grammie. It will be ridiculous! I have been carrying you in your sling more lately, since that's what I will be carrying you in on our flight to Kansas. I sure hope it goes smoothly!

You have been a lot more vocal lately and you and I have conversations many times daily with only aahhhs and gooahhhs. Your dad laughs at us, but that's only because he can't do it yet. He's jealous. You also love smiling at us in the mornings or evenings after you eat. There is nothing cuter than your big gummy smile!

I can't believe how fast you're growing and I'm sure your family in Kansas will be shocked. Your dad thinks you weigh 12 pounds now, but we haven't had a chance to weigh you yet. You have lost all your original hair on the top of your head and have brown hair from one ear around to the other and all blond peach fuzz on top. You have a head like an old man that's lost most of his hair.

Your dad doesn't like feeding you with the bottle much because you choke and spit up a lot while he's trying to feed you. You also definitely prefer the breast over the bottle, but we have to get you used to the bottle a little for when I go back to work.

Your dad still thinks that you don't know who he is, so hopefully soon, you'll be more obvious with your smiles when your dad talks to you or picks you up. I'll definitely have to update you on how much you enjoy the flying in a few weeks.

Tim

Hey Bud!

Your Mom just sent "more" pictures of you which is great, but you actually look pretty much the same in all of them. You're really long and have a bid ol' head just like about every other baby on the planet. Hey, you'll grow into your head size, and trust me, it's a whole bunch better than having some little peanut head. I grew up with some pea-sized head people and they were miserable. They could never find a hat to fit them and they looked like ostriches. Most of them had a silly nickname like "turtle-head" or "ping-pong-head" and even "anteater-head". You don't want that. It's much better to be a "mellon-head" or "balloon-head" or something like that. Besides, the bigger the "noggin" the more space for your brain to grow. That's a fact. Anyway, at least these pictures had you in some decent, non-embarassing clothes, except for one. There was one that had you wrapped in some silly looking "orange" blanket. I am sure that your Aunt E liked it because she is going to OSU and their colors are orange and black. Pretty creative, huh? Anyway, you sort of looked like a pumpkin girl, but that's OK. Maybe your Mom should save that one for Halloween so that you can scare the other babies. Back to the reason for this note. In every single picture sent today, you are looking to the "left"! I am going to go back and look at "all" of the pictures that your Mom has sent to see if there is a tendency developing here. Hopefully, it's that you are "left-handed", because that's really cool, like Aunt Jill and will make you a better softball pitcher, but maybe it's something else. That's about it for today, I guess. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hello Eve!

OK, your Mom said that you are "pooping" and "peeing" at the same time, but that you are getting better. That's sort of an oximoran (not sure of spelling). It means that there are two things going on at the same time, usually contridictory (again not sure of spelling, but I assume that you have a dictionary by now) to each other. Anyway, your Mom is considering going back to work sometime. She is torn between staying with you all day and trying to help with the family finances. I told her to go back to work because you will absolutely "wear out" a day care worker. That should be a good challenge for you...at least for a little while. Besides, then you will have the entire evening, night, morning, and weekend to mess with Mom and Dad. When you are smarter than everyone else around you, you have two choices. Either blend in, and be like everyone else, or stand up and be somebody. I like the latter (that means the second choice). I'm sure that you will hear that many times in your life, so get used to it. OK, so I am sooooo excited to see you. I have been practicing my "noogies" for a week or more. Don't worry, I'll be ready when you get here. A "noogie" is a bare knuckle rub to to your tallest bone (usually your skull). Later, you will learn about "pop-knots", "frogs", "double chicken wings", and stuff like that. But for now, you should always save one "special" move for whatever, like later, only when you need it. Sort of 911. Sorry this entry is sort of silly, but somehow I hope that somewhere inside of you, that you have a silly streak. Ask your Mom about Great Grama's sink. We all love you from here. Tim.

Tim

Hey Bubba!

Sorry I haven't written for a while, but I got my feelings hurt. Get over it, Grandpa! Right? Anyway, we finally get to see you in about two weeks. Pretty excited here. I figure you and me can send the big girls out for a while and then slam some beers and watch ESPN. Aunt E may come here and I hope Aunt Jillian can too. There's this real greasy spoon restaurant around the corner from our house, so if you and I get hungry at night, we can go over there and pound down some waffles and biscuits and gravy. If not, maybe we can go cruisin' and listen to some old Poison tunes or maybe the "Big Chill" movie soundtrack. Don't worry, your Mom and Aunts know all of the words to every single song. That used to be my way of putting a crying baby on the dryer. Ask your Mom. I have been lifting weights lately to get prepared to hold you. Aunt Erin said you were pretty heavy. I think you're just real long. A normal photograh can be printed on a 5" x 7" paper. We have been trying to find some 5" x 55" paper. Your Mom sends everyone pictures every week. That has allowed all of us to keep up with your growth. By the way, that little goatee (spelled wrong?) that you are growing is pretty hot, but dude you need to consider starting to shave your pits and legs. Just kidding. But like I said earlier, you do need to talk to Mom about the clothes thing. You look good most of the time, but we got a picture today with a white stocking cap on you upside down that was supposed to be a pair of shorts, I guess. I could use those shorts for duck hunting and stick my big ol' ears out of each of the leg holes. Anyway, I guess your Mom wants to keep this blog thing going, sort of a journal. At first I wasn't sure, but actually, it might be pretty funny for you to read down the line. Journals and diaries are pretty cool, because you can just write down your random thoughts and then read them years later. I guess a good journal should include a few actual facts about the times that you are in right now. It might be fun for you to compare what's really happening in the world with what the history books say. I'll try and do that some today and more in the future. Your big giant entrance into this world was followed up by a big giant hurricane that hit Lousiana, Mississippi, and parts of Alabama. It was like the worst ever in history. No one was ready, especially not your Dad's "boss", the President. Fortunately, it has captured the hearts of everyone with all of the damage. People have pitched in from everywhere to help and that has been good, but it has also been very sad. In honor of your Aunt Jillian, we sent money to the "pet rescue" people that are there to save the animals. Our family pretty much likes "All Creatues Great & Small". Ask your Mom about that one. I am sure that she has read the book. If not, it should be a part of your library. It was one of your Great Grama's favorites. I hope you are just a little like her. I wish we all were. Love, Tim.

I finally did it Eve!

Eve-
I am so dumb. I finally did figure out how to write again. Your mom will be oh so impressed. I will try to keep this updated, but as you will find out later in life I am a little forgetful and unorganized. It has been over a month since you have been born and since I have seen you. Your mom tells me your growing so much also that you have been pooping and peeing on her. I guess you know how to get her attention huh! You seem so unreal. I really didn't think I would be as impressed with you as I am. I didn't think I could love you so much either. I think about you a lot. What you are gonna be like and what your voice will sound like. I am sure everything about you that we don't know yet will be as good as what we do know. I even like hearing you grunt over the phone. I am a little silly! I didn't think I would be seeing you again soon, but I will in a little over a week. I am so excited! You will impress everyone that hasn't seen you. Try to poop on the girl named Nicole if you can remember because I know your mom will need some help with controlling her baby talking to you. Well I can't wait to see you again. Love, Aunt Jill, Uncle Noah, and cousin Wishkah

I am too cute in my cloth diapers. 

getting better

Well, I think dad and I are getting better at being parents. We are learning how to comfort you a little better and every time you cry it doesn't necessarily mean that you are hungry. Well, most of the time it does, because you are always hungry. You are growing so fast and if you don't slow down soon, then I'll have to go buy you some more clothes in bigger sizes. You are sleeping well at night and most nights you actually sleep for one five hour stint, which really helps your mom function during the day. Dad is still sleeping in the guest bedroom, because there's no need for him to get woken up every time I have to feed you at night. He still thinks you don't like him, but I think he's finally realizing that you don't just cry all the time. It's just that you aren't crazy about the evenings and usually cry for a few hours every night, which is the only time he gets to see you when he's working. That's okay though, your crying doesn't even bother your dad. You have been getting some baby acne and, of course dad talks a lot of trash about you getting your pimples from me. He enjoys calling you fun names like squirt and the bad egg (a reference to your crying being a result of a bad egg from your mom). I did give you a bath by myself two days ago which was interesting and didn't quite go as smooth as when dad helps me. I'm still taking pictures of you all the time, but that's only because it's so hard to catch all the adorable moments that I get to see every day. You are still refusing your nuk about 95% of the time, because you can sure tell the difference between the silicone and human skin. You're just too smart for our tricks!

Tim

Hey Joule!

Maybe I should call you EJ. Your middle name cracks me up, so I have re-named everyone here. My new name is Kip. We also have Olm, Watt, Mass, Density, Specific Gravity, and Darcy. Oh, and we changed our street name from 52nd Street to Galileo Drive. Anyway, you are doing a great job at training your Mom and Dad. Oh, by the way, that crying deal is working great. They hold you all of the time. Dad is apparently getting close to finishing your baby bed. I hear that he is 3-4 days out. Come on Dad. I haven't got to see you in person yet, but it is very obvious that you are almost exactly like your Mom was when she was a baby. Very much a control freak. I guess pay back is sort of funny. It sounds like your Dad is getting a little smarter though. Your Mom said that during one of your "fits" that he put you in your car seat, set you on the dryer, turned it on for some vibration entertainment, and then sat down and read a book. I guess you didn't fall asleep immediately, but it apparently tired you out enough to fall asleep later. Pretty ingenious Dad! It's really hard to believe, but your "grand" entrance didn't freak out either of your Aunts. I would have though different, but they mention their visit and all of the pictures and you everytime I talk to them. They think you are pretty cool. Your Mom said she has been using "stimulation" pictures and also a slide show to entertain and make you use your mind. I am not sure about all of that, but they think it works. I just hope you don't show up on Dr. Phil when you grow up (that's a joke!). We're planning a trip to see you soon, so that will be fun. Hey, your Mom has been putting some pretty crazy outfits on you and taking pictures. You might want to tell her to cool that deal. She sent one with a rubberband around your head. I never understood that look, but you'll get to see it someday. I sit and wonder what type of kid you are going to be. It will surely be interesting to see what you grow up to be like. If history repeats itself, I am guessing you'll probably be some sort of brainiac, who gets her nails done, wears tie dyed clothes, likes to play sports, and can't stand to hear birds sing ot talk (ask your Mom about that one). I suspect you'll get sent to the principal's office when you are in third grade for being smarter than your teacher and correcting her on the definition of word or an incorrect math answer. It's definately going to be interesting. Anyway, gotta go for now. I am going to try and find some stimulation photos for the dogs. I need something to stimulate them to quit pooping on the floor and to stop eating the walls and kitchen cabinets. Love, Tim.

Trying to adapt

I guess this place I've been living is called home, but I'm still a little shaky about being here. I definitely know mom's smell now and when I smell her pick me up, I assume it's feeding time. She kisses me a lot and it always tricks me into thinking it's time to eat. Dad also kisses me all the time and plays jokes on me a lot. He can let me cry when there is no reason for me to cry, but mom is a sucker and always picks me up. I guess I need a new trick to make dad baby me all the time because my hysterical screaming doesn't work. I have been treated like a baby doll since we got to this place with mom putting outfits and hats and headbands and shoes on me. I don't really like being dressed up all the time, but there's not much I can do about it. I did get to meet grama and Aunts Jill and Erin and Uncle Noah. Grama held me a lot and rocked me to sleep and sang bye-o baby bye-o a lot. She really knows how to handle babies better than mom does. Aunts Jill and Erin also were here and they took a lot of pictures of me and I'm still seeing spots. Aunt Erin always added more blankets to me because she always thought I was cold. Aunts Jill and Erin also stayed up late with me when I didn't feel like going to bed early like mom. I like baths and don't cry until I have to get out of the warm water because it's so cold, but then I always take a long nap. I'm eating really well and gaining weight with no problem. I guess mom and dad aren't doing too bad a job with me and maybe sometime soon I will stop crying so much and enjoy my awake time.

Proud Grama

I do believe the entire town of Coffeyville has met you through pictures and stories! Of course, I just happen to have a set of about 20 pictures with me at all times!!!
I want you to know that you have already made this world a better place! You bring smiles and warm feelings to all that see or meet you. I cannot put into words the impact you have on me. I feel really lucky to have been able to welcome you into this life!
I want you to know that your Momma did an awesome job trying to get you here! And, your dad kept her relaxed and supported her in every way! Both of them knew that you were worth every pain and worry!
But, now that you are here.....Give them a little break and go back to sleep after you eat (especially at night)! OK?
I know you don't like getting all dressed up but if you don't wear some of the cute little outfits soon - momma will have to save them for a little sister or cousin! I'm happy to hear you are growing but if you keep up at the same pace you will be taller than your dad by age 10!!!
Tell your parents to keep taking pictures and sending them to all of us and also tell your momma to sing Bye O Baby Bye O while Grama is gone.
I miss you so!
Love, Grama

Tim

Hello Eve Joule (they did it with that middle name, didn't they?) Dougan!

Well girl, you made your grand entrance. You couldn't just be born, you had to make it dramatic. We wish we could have been there, but after getting periodic news reports from you Aunts, I am sort of glad we were in the cheap seats here at home. We still didn't sleep much that night, but after seeing the pictures your Dad sent, it was worth it. When you went into the hospital, we had this big plan to have a watch party. We had steaks, beer, movies, and everything lined up for a celebration, but it sort of fizzled out when you took your sweet time deciding how you wanted to enter the world. Anyway, you look a five year old. I think I saw some underarm hair on you already. You have developed biceps and six pack abs too. You must have been working out inside there. No wonder your Mom had been so uncomfortable. You do need to get after your Dad a little bit, because one of the pictures he sent makes you look like an anaconda. The other picture makes you look a little ornamental (that's a joke!). That hat they put on you was just a little too tight and squished your eyes closed. Anyway, I trust we will get some more "girly-girly" pictures later. We are finally getting excited about coming to visit. The past few weeks have been just a waiting game and that's not too fun, but I'll write more often now since you are finally here. The stories are already beginning. Love and Kisses from here and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

i can't believe it

Well, it's interesting that no one has written anything since your birthday three days ago. Things have been a little tiresome for your dad and I, but grama is helping out so much. She mowed the lawn today, took care of all my plants, mopped the floor, cleaned the bathrooms, vacuumed the house, washed numerous loads of diapers and clothes, and did all the dishes. She is still looking for things to do for us, but I think she has already taken care of everything. Of course you are just perfect right now, actually taking a nap on dad's chest on the couch. He thinks you don't even know who he is, but I think you're coming around. You have been eating like a champ and not giving mom a moment's rest, which is how it should be. We got home from the hospital today and there are so many people that are happy you are home. Aunts Jill and Erin can't wait to come out and see you and of course grama is already here and she's in heaven. Even grandpa, or should I just call him Tim, was jacked up. Of course he's already been through everything that we just went through, so he can appreciate it. He just loves the fact that you weighed 8 1/2 pounds too. Just so you know, so far today you have pooped 7 times and the last time was an explosion that soiled not only your diaper, but your outfit and your blanket. Of course dad thinks that it's awesome every time you poop or fart, so keep it up and dad will be happy! I'm just glad you are getting enough to eat, which is obvious by the massive loads that appear in the diapers. I am a little overwhelmed right now, not just because I'm a little worn out, but because I love you so much already. I want to cry just thinking about that. It could also just be the hormones making me sappy, because I usually don't get emotional, but you are definitely special enough to make your hard mom cry.

Baby Eve

Pregnant pic

just waiting

Well, we are patiently waiting here in D.C. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and the nurse told me that everything still looks good and that I am two centimeters dilated. Your dad was encouraging by reminding me there was only 3 or so inches left to go. :) If you decide not to join us before next Monday evening, I will have to go to the hospital so the doctor's can make you join us. That's exciting news, just because we know that by next Tuesday or so we will have a new addition, but the induction part is a little scary. It wouldn't be like a normal labor, where everything progresses slowly. It would be a "down to business" labor where contractions start hard and heavy and never let up until you are born. It is supposed to be quicker, but also more intense. I personally appreciate letting nature take its course, but I guess sometimes that doesn't happen as fast as doctor's would like. I would like to encourage you to let go of the comfort you now have and maybe think about birth in the next day or so and I promise you won't hate it out here. Besides, once you are born, maybe it will make your dad want to work on your crib a little more and there aren't many more projects to do around the house here. I think grama is scared you won't come before she has to go back home, which is August 14. I wanted to give you just a few things to think about and I'm sure we will hear from you soon!

Tim

Hello Eve!

Well, you're supposed to be here today or tomorrow. Talked to your Mom last night, but she said you were pretty quiet. I think it's getting kinda tense at your house, but everyone is still excited. Your Aunt Jill and Aunt Erin are waiting anxiously also. Jill and Noah went to a lake yesterday and had a picnic. We helped Erin get moved into her sorority house at OSU. She and this former hooker girl share a room that is about as big as a car. Erin got the bottom bunk though, so she was happy. You Grama got their safely, so we are all taking bets back here who will blow first, your Grama, your Dad, or your Mom. The heavy money is on your Dad right now, but the odds can change instantly, once you decide to shake everyone up a little. They painted the dining room yesterday to relieve the tension. I am thinking that if you don't get here pretty soon, that your house will be totally re-painted and probably have a new roof. No baby bed yet, though! I was thinking we might get some hay bales or corn shucks and put a blanket down on them. Anyway, tomorrow is August 1st, your due date, so get with program girl! Remind your Mom or Dad to call or send text us. We don't have any cigars yet, but we do have a new bag of charcoal. Can't wait much longer! Headed to the garage to look for a paintbrush myself. Love, Tim.

Coming to meet you!

Grama is almost ready to leave Kansas! I will see you and your mom and dad tomorrow! It is just so exciting to be coming and being with your mom right now! I want you to know that one of the first things I thought of after your mom was born was that she was going to have a baby someday - and that day is almost here! Your mom is not very emotional and I cannot wait to see you blow her away! You are a very lucky person to have so much family and love around you. Family is all you need. Try taking it easy on mom for a while, I do believe you will be keeping her hopping for the next few decades!!! I know you are safe and warm right now but this world is ready for you and it's not a bad place and your presence in it will only make it better. See you tomorrow! Love, Grama

Enough of that

Hey now, I don't appreciate being poked and prodded. This morning someone was pushing me low in to mom's pelvis and poking my head. Yes, I am here, but no, I am not coming out yet. I'm kind of enjoying myself in here. Besides, I like making mom uncomfortable and I'm going to be unpredictable like my dad. He isn't exactly concerned with time frames and neither am I. I go at my own pace. I have noticed that mom is walking a lot. She must think she can make my arrival occur sooner. Isn't she a sucker. Besides, I know as soon as I'm born, mom and dad will be trying new things like baby signs and classical music to enhance my brain development and stuff like that, so I'm just chillin out for now.

closer

Well, today I had another doctor's appointment and an exam to check my progress. I guess you are still content in my belly and I still have about a week before any real pain starts. When the doc checked your heartrate today I thought it was slower than normal and I asked the doc about it. She was shocked that I could tell, but I was, in fact, correct in my observation. Your heartrate has been consistently in the 150s, and once it was 145, but today it was 140. I felt proud to be able to distinguish the difference. Of course, the old wives tale is that girls have heart rates in the 150s and boys have heart rates in the 140s, so you may surprise us yet. I just want you to know that the exams are not very enjoyable, and since there are no open doctor's appointments next week, I get to wait until August 1 to go back in. If you decide to join us on the outside before then, it would be fine with us and I wouldn't have to go through one of those exams just for fun. Dad is really ready for you and keeps telling me to do squats. I don't know why he is in a hurry though. It seems he would want to finish your bed or furniture before your arrival. I guess not.

Grama Sortore will be here on Monday and she is excited and a little nervous as usual. Aunt Jill and Aunt E are coming out the day after grama leaves, so you will be booked up for a while. Don't you worry though, because Aunt Jill doesn't have any brain tumors (confirmed yesterday) and Aunt E found a bright strapless dress for rush, but still no shoes to match.

One of your mom's friends came out last week. Her name is Quyen (Wing) and she felt and watched you roll around in my belly. She is from Vietnam and looking for a husband so she can stay in the U.S. She did cook us authentic oriental food every night while she was here though, which tasted delicious. So if you were wondering who is was you heard talking in broken English and laughing a whole lot, it was her.

We want you to know that as soon as you decide you are ready to be born, bring it on, because we are ready too!

Tim

Hello Eve:

I haven't written for a few days because it has been sooooo very hot and nobody feels like doing anything. It's like 100 degrees everyday. And besides everyone is getting ready for your arrival. Your Grama Sortore is coming next week and I think your Aunt Jill and Erin are planning to come in mid-August. We hope to get there in the fall after you have a chance to get settled. I am trying to get my tools in order so that maybe I can help your Dad finish the baby bed. (that's a joke, I hope!) Anyway, tomorrow is your Mom's birthday. 24 big ones! Man, I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. It was really, really hot then too. I was working on a job in Bartlesville, pretty close to the hospital that your Mom was born in. Your Grandma's sister(s) had to take her to the hospital because she went into labor while I was at work. I met everyone there and that's when the fun started. Your Mom decided she didn't want to come out yet, so she rolled around in labor for 47 hours. We sent all of the family home because we didn't think your Mom was going to be born yet (sort of). I had been working out on a jobsite, so I was really stinky and nasty. I had to sleep on the floor next your Grama until finally, two days later, your Mom was born. Finally! In all of the excitement, I forgot (sort of) to call your Grandma's family. Anyway, they had called the hospital and found out you were being born. They got there just as the nurses were bringing your Mom to the nursery for her first bath. They must have been a little hungry or something (sort of), because they weren't in very good moods. But they got over it (sort of) once they saw your Mom. Your Mom was a nasty baby at first and really did need a bath. She sure didn't like it though. She had a big 'ol bump on her head and we rubbed that 'ol knob for weeks. It finally went away. That's the story of your Mom's Birth Day (sort of). Anyway, I am sure that there will be another story or two coming in the next few weeks, so get with the program girl! We are all pretty excited to see ya'! Love, Tim.

Getting there

Well, mom was right about saying that I don't have much room. When I feel like stretching, I push out on all sides and mom always responds by rubbing her belly to make me stop. Of course, I don't. Dad keeps telling mom that I am his weapon and when she is mean to him, he says, "Get her Eve" and expects me to kick mom in the ribs or something. She has been having those practice contractions and I don't really like them. After each one is over, I celebrate with a dance party in mom's belly. I think I will be coming soon and hopefully I won't be late or anything, because otherwise I don't think I will able to fit.

I am getting better

Hello Eve-
Well you are almost here. I think we are all a little too ready for your arrival. Your grandma is getting really anxious to come to washington DC. I think she even found a sitter for her dog wilson. So I hear you are a little bigger than expected. That's okay, just don't hurt your mom too much! I think me and your Aunt Erin are going to try and come out for a few days after you are born. It will be so weird to see your little face, but I cannot wait. It only seems as if your mom has been pregnant for a short time. I think that it is because I don't get to see her very much, but we keep in touch more now than ever. I keep in touch with your dad, but in weirder ways. For example I received a box in the mail the other day that was addressed from your address and inside was no note, but a cuttlefish bone, a bag of silver, and a bag of cufflinks. I know that sounds weird, but even without a note I knew what he was saying. Oh another thing about your dad, he doesn't think dogs should be inside, so when you get old enough you need to plead for a big pit bull or something and request that it be kept inside. He turned down your mom on the request, but I doubt he turns you down. Well I better go. I hope to see you soon. Love, Aunt Jill

Tim

Hello Eve!

Well, your Mom and Dad are really examining and trying to figure out how to best take care of you after your get here and get settled. They are having the "proverbial" discussion about whether your Mom should stay home and take care of you full time or whether she should go back to work full-time or maybe part-time. It's a tough decision, but I am sure they will make the right one. If I were you, I would probably vote for your Mom going back to work. Then you could at least have a few hours each day to be a regular kid. Otherwise, they will probably start "home-schooling" immediately and believe me they will wear you out. I think you will get plenty of their influence in the mornings, evenings, and weekends, because then they will focus solely on you. Anyway, have a great day and see you soon. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hello Big 'Un!

Just kidding! I am still sticking with my original guess of 7 pounds 8 ounces and 19-1/2 inches long. I think you are simply going to be born a little earlier than expected. That would be a very pleasant surprise for your Mom and Dad, so keep that in mind. Well, your Mom and Dad decided to take your cloth diapers to the hospital. I am glad your Grama will be there, because she will probably have to show the nurses how to use them. I hope your Mom at least bought some "cool" pins to keep them on. Like maybe little skull and chain pins or something like that. I guess I am going to take a couple of days off next week. I think I'll drive over to southern Arkansas or maybe down into Mississippi. Surely, I can find you one of those ol' time bonnets and maybe some of those leather lace-up shoes. If I see an old wooden cradle, I think I'll pick that up too. Did they make wooden carriages back then? I am not sure the wheel was invented yet. And finally, if I have room, I think I'll try and find a wood stove, an animal skin blanket of some sort, and some candles. Since your baby bed probably won't be ready for quite some time, you can lay on your animal skin blanket at night in front of the fire and read in the candle light. Love, you. (PS. - Instead of having anymore baby showers, I think we ought to start a fund to buy your Mom and Dad a lawnmower. Thay actually make them with little engines on them now that spins a blade and cuts grass sort of automatically)

latest news

Well, I think the name Little Eve probably won't fit after today's doctor's appointment. I asked the doc when you would drop because I have been quite uncomfortable at times. Pretty bad indigestion and quite a bit of restriction on my lungs. She started pushing and feeling and said that your head was settled and not wiggling so you had probably already dropped into position. The reason I didn't feel much relief when you dropped is because you are large and you just don't have enough room. She didn't specify how big you'd be, but right now you are measuring a week and a half ahead of schedule. According to averages, that is about 3/4 pound above normal for your age. Now I tried to blame this all on dad, because he has such a big head, but he was a small baby as was I. The only other culprit is the Sortore gene you carry. The whole natural birth idea may turn out to be a mistake yet if you end up being like 10 pounds. Dad would enjoy it though, because he expects you will be built like a professional athlete and is looking forward to raising a basketball player or something. It seems a little strange that you will be here in about 3 weeks, but we couldn't be more excited. We have all your cloth diapers to protect your skin. Dad and I talked today about whether we should take cloth diapers to the hospital with us. We agreed that we should and dad said that he would take them home and wash them for us. That's how excited he is about using cloth diapers. It's not surprising though, since he wants everything to be the best for you.

Tim

OK Little Eve (that's Jill's intro):

I cannot believe no one else has written you a note after that! Your Aunt Jillian and Uncle Noah are not really crazy people. I know they just sent you a note about animals and their status in life, and about losing heads, etc., but that's not what they are all about! At least I hope not! Anyway, you need to know that you have a whole bunch of family that really cares about you getting here. Safe and Sound! It's hard to put your "feelings" in a basket and try to to forget them until you get here, but I know that is happening and that it's really going to be cool. Whether all of us are there or not, you will feel the power of your fam...! Promise!!!!! Tim.

Silly me

Hey little Eve-
Boy I have a lot to catch up on because silly me cannot figure out this blogger deal. What does blogger mean anyways? Beats me. I do sometimes have a little case of dumbass. So I think I have told you about my ferret Wishkah and if not you will hear plenty more of him I am sure. He has been causing a small stress on us. He has a friendly flea. We have only seen one, but it won't leave. I think they are friends or something. We have tried everything. It seems as though we may have a new pet or something. Have i ever told you about my outside cat, Queen? I don't think so. We call her The Queen, Queenie, or just Queen because she thinks she is one. Well she obviously lives outside and she is around all the time. We have moved her from our old house around the corner. She kinda just does whatever she wants. Although she hunts a lot and brings me home all kinds of things. This week was a bird although she likes to skin squirrels and rabits. One particular time she decapitated a squirrel. GROSS! And did you know that cats are the only animal, besides humans, that hunt for game. I have to go now, but maybe in the next blog I can tell you about my other outside cat I had named Scab. Talk to you later. Love, Your aunt Jill

Tim

Hey Eve!

OK, this is really funny, at least to me. What comes around goes around. Just talked to your Mom and she was getting ready to go to the White House to check for "asbestos". Your Dad like goes to the Pentagon and your Mom like goes to the White House (those are both pretty importantly places) and like I go to Quick-Trip or Taco Bueno or Sonic. Anyway, more about that later. Your Mom just said that she was on a 2 to 2-1/2 hour schedule for eating, because you were hogging up all of the room in her tummy. That's great! Keep it up! That means that you will most likely be on the same schedule when you are born. Cool! Your Mom woke every 2-1/2 hours, everyday and everynight, for like forever to eat. Obviously, you are on that schedule, but no one else is. I hope you wake up, just like your Mom, and get hungry all of the time. Your Mom did that and it was miserable. We didn't have a full nights sleep for like 6 months! I am sure that they will try and explain all of this to you and that you will have to have a bunch of family meetings, but hang in there bud! Love you, Tim. (ps. 24 divided by 2 is 12...that means 12 "cloth" diapers a day...hey Carey, better find another dozen or two...)

Tim

Hey Eve!

See...I told you your Mom and Dad were pretty smart! I know that you can't read quite yet, but you are in for it. I can't wait until you ask for a piece of candy or something like that. You will probably get a 2 hour scientific lecture about the woes of sugar! Love you all!

fun party

Well, the party yesterday was a success. Dad bought 10 pounds of hamburger meat and 16 sausages plus hot dogs. I made 5 pounds of potato salad and the equivalent amount of coleslaw, 3 dozen cookies, and a veggie tray. Dad made baked beans and two sweet potato pies. Needless to say, we had way too much food and we'll be eating leftovers for a month. I did have to borrow propane from a neighbor since dad didn't check his tank before the party. It was all taken care of though and went smoothly.

I also had a doctor's appointment last week, and the doctor said everything was looking good. I had only gained a pound in two weeks, so that was a relief. She told me that my stretch marks were in a good spot and wouldn't be very noticeable later on since they were low. That was also nice to hear. We did order our cloth diapers and we do have many reasons for using them. At first, I was like grandpa and didn't agree with dad's decision to use cloth. I started researching this, which grandpa probably doesn't have enought time or energy to do and there are many reasons to use them. First of all, cloth is gentlest on your booty. Your chances of getting diaper rash go from 78% (disposable diaper occurence) to 6% (cloth diaper occurence). Cloth diapers will make it easier to potty train you since you can feel when you are wet. Doing laundry is one of my favorite chores and clean laundry is my favorite smell, so that doesn't bother me one bit. Disposable diapers account for 2 tons of waste in a child's diapering years. Cloth diapers will cost an initial $200-250 and will last for more than one child and disposable diapers over the course of the diapering years for one child will cost $2000. Your grandpa is correct that the chemicals used to absorb all the waste that you can produce were pretty ingenious, but then again so were a lot of other harmful chemicals. Asbestos is a miracle material, but turns out, it is not real good for you. Super absorbent gel in diapers makes me a little skeptical as well. I would actually like to hear why someone should not use cloth diapers. How are disposables better in any way? The excuse that cloth diapers require more work is inacceptable. Who said more work is a bad thing?

I did get a kick the other day and you wouldn't move your foot. You held it between my ribs and I could feel your foot with my hands. Dad got to feel it too and dad's friend, George, that was with us wouldn't feel it because it freaked him out too bad.

Next weekend we will be attending a wedding for a college buddy. Many of my classmates will be there and I'm sure you will get a lot of attention as is usually the case.

Tim

OK Eve!

Well, just when we thought you were in the stretch run and everyone was just going to sit around anxiously and wait for you to get here, your Mom and Dad do something new. Even though I joke a lot, I love them very deeply, but this one is a curve ball, even to me. Your Mom just bought 3 dozen "cloth" diapers! Seriously! Your Mom and Dad are both highly educated engineers, and have spent the last 4 or 5 years studying how to analize, design, and develop solutions to problems that will help people and make life easier and better. 30 or 40 years ago, some young engineers took an idea that came from some other very smart person and made the first "disposable" diaper. This was a wonderful and very creative breakthough, designed to improve the quality of life for babies and Mothers. Anyway, while I am proud to see your folks try to attempt to hold onto the traditional cloth diaper concept, it is sort of out of the blue. You see, they make these custom fit diapers, designed with a built-in absorption system, protective outside cover, and fastening tape, all engineered to keep your bottom dry and your pants clean. They even make special ones for swimming (even for water babies...that's a joke!). After you "go", your Mom or Dad can simply remove the soiled diaper, throw it away, and put a new, clean, dry one on. Done. Cloth diapers do work, but they also require that you wear an extra set of plastic pants, then they have to be washed, dryed and folded, and then, like you have to keep a smell-proof bag around to keep the dirty ones in, until you have time to put them in the washer. I am not sure about carrying around a sack poopy diapers, especially when you go out to eat or on vacation. Anyway, we support anything they want to do, but I can't help but wonder how this deal will play out and where the idea came from. It has to one of two things. Your Mom actually likes folding laundry, so if it came from that, she will get plenty to fold, because if you are like your Mom, you will poop and pee at least 10 times a day. The only other thing is that she used to watch this old time show called "Little House on the Prairie" about some little girl who was always doing something. I am pretty sure she wore cloth diapers too. She also wore a blue and white flowered bonnet, so if your Mom starts buying you stupid looking hats, watch out. She will probably also make you walk to school, read by candle light, and milk a cow every morning. Love you, and let me know how this turns out.

Tim

Hello Eve!

We just watched a special report on the news about the relationship between the size of a person's head and their IQ. IQ stands for intelligence quotient and measures how smart you are. Anyway, these scientists proved that most people with bigger heads had higher IQ's than those with smaller heads. Oh boy, does this create a dilemia in your family. Your Mom has a normal size head, maybe a size 6-6-1/2 and weighing maybe 6-8 pounds, both very average. But...your Dad has a big 'ol giant mellon on "his" shoulders. I'm talking at least a size 10, maybe 12, which is unheard of, and tipping the scales at probably 15 or 16 pounds, and I'm being nice. That's probably why he is so strong, from carrying the 10th planet around on his shoulders all day long. Now, your Dad "is" a really, really smart and has a very high IQ and that is good, but he is also a boy and people don't really care so much about the size of a boy's head. Just ask your Great Papa, or your Uncle Bat, or your Cousin Ray. They also all have big 'ol giant domes. Come to think about it, my 'ol knob isn't that small either. Anyway, we do want you to be very smart, but we are all also hoping that you get your "head size" from your Mom's genes. You may have to study a little more to get that high IQ with a normal size head, but trust me, it will worth it. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom and Dad are having a party tonight, so watch out. Get some rest today, because I am sure there will be a lot of people rubbing your Mom's belly trying to feel you. Hey, one sort of funny story happened here. Jill and Noah were visiting and stayed overnight. As usual, your Aunt Jill always showers every morning. Well, she finished her shower and was drying her hair, but it wouldn't seem to get dry. She rinsed it again, because she said she thought she didn't get all of the shampoo out. It still wouldn't dry and looked really greasy. After several more attempts to rinse it out, she decided to wash it again. This whole deal was taking a very long time. The same thing happened after she re-washed her hair. She was getting pretty frustrated by now. She finally gave up and let it just be greasy as it wouldn't dry. This really upset Geri, because she knew Jill was mad. After Aunt Jill left, Geri went in to take her own shower and came out of the bathroom cracking up. She normally buys shampoo for "women with colored hair", because it is better for her hair. The shampoo in the shower that Jill was using read for "women of color"! Oooopppps!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Just got a picture of you, your Mom, and your Dad. I couldn't see you very good, but I did see your buldge. You don't stick out as far as your Mom did, but you look pretty long up and down. I wonder what size you will be. Your Mom was long and skinny when she was born. She weighed 6 pounds and 11 ounces and was 22 inches long. Most baby's are like 17-18 inches long and like between 7 and 9 pounds. I think you are going to be somewhere in between. My guess for you is 7 pounds and 8 ounces and 19-1/2" long. We ought to have a family pool recording everyone's guess. The winner should get a prize, like maybe a picture of your baby bed. Oh wait, that probably won't be done yet. (that's a joke about your Dad!) Speaking of your Dad, he looked pretty sharp in his dress whites. That's his fancy Navy uniform. He starts up the engines on nuclear submarines or something like that. It sounds pretty important. Your great Grandpa was also in the Navy. He was a radar operator on a Battleship. Pretty cool, too. Seeing your Dad in his uniform reminds me of my Dad, your great Grandpa. Anyway, have a great day. Love, Tim.

Tim

Hello Eve!

Hey, I forgot something. I am not sure that your name will actually be Eve, so if your Mom and Dad change their minds, then just act like you liked the name because we have all been calling you that. Anyway, regardless of your first name, I am a little worried about what your Mom and Dad may come up with for your middle name. They won't talk about it. Maybe it's a surprise, or maybe it's still in the "planning stage", like your baby bed. (that's a joke!) It will probably take until you are in the 6th or 7th grade before we all know. I just hope they don't try and do something silly. You need to let your Mom and Dad know that if they give you a bad middle name, the rest of us will be mad. Man, you need to get here pretty quick. Your bed's not done, you don't have a full name yet, and we don't know if you are going to be an albino or not. You have a bunch of stuff to resolve when you get here! Don't worry, I'll help! Peace and love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Well, we are in the stretch run of your growth. These last few weeks will seem like an eternity, waiting for you to get here. It's getting hot, like it is supposed to do in the summer, but it's a little hotter than usual. I hope it doesn't stay that way, but it probably will. Your Mom is getting a little excited, but she tries to act cool most of the time. Your Dad still hasn't started your crib yet, but it definately will be the best "planned" crib ever! I think there are some guys at the Pentagon and at NASA working on it. Anyway, your Mom and Dad are having a party next weekend, so they bought some outdoor furniture. I really think they are just trying to keep busy, but who knows. I haven't seen your Mom in person this summer, but from the pictures I have received, she is really "white". She has always been that way. I wonder what kind of skin tones you will have. Your Mom has a really pretty complexion and has maybe had 4 zits in her life and that's the good part. Oh, that's a new word for you. I guess they are actually called blemishes, but they are also referred to as zits, pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and a lot of different names. If you get a really "big" one, it is called a honker. Anyway, that's the trade-off. Pale skin with no zits or dark with nasty skin. Actually, all of the girls have good complexions. And neither of your Aunts are albinos, like your Mom. Man, that's another new word. I am not sure that I spelled it right, but it is a wierd deal. Like there are albino tigers. All of the tigers in the world are orange with black stripes, OK! Then all of a sudden one comes out white and black. Anyway, it happens once in a while and I am actually joking about Carey being an albino, but just imagine if you were, like a "monkey", that came out all white and nasty. All of the rest of your family, brothers, sisters, parents, cousins, grandparents, uncles, etc. are brown and black and you are white. That would be pretty wierd, but at least it would easy to find you in a crowd. See, I told you we were getting bored waiting for you. We can't wait, 'cause there will be so many "incredible" stories coming from all of this that it will be really exciting. Anyway, have a great evening! (that's a joke about your name!) Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

What up...chicken butt? Your Mom just got a few "stretch" (how do you spell stretch?) marks from you! Actually, it's not from just you, it's just natural. What I was hoping for was that you would somehow roll around in the right direction so that you would actually spell something with your growth. Like on your Mom's belly! Instead of of just pushing out, try and roll and push and lunge (is that spelled right?) in the form of something. Like maybe a whale...or a chicken...or better yet like in the form of the family fish! Or maybe an elephant (only with his/her trunk up) or at least something that is rocognizable (spelling???). Anyway, more later! Love, Tim. ps. you will understand this one later!

Tim

Ok Eve!

This ought to be a funny one! Your Aunt Jill and Uncle Noah are here and Jill doesn't really know what day it is, let alone how to send you a message. Noah is playing music as usual. They are debating what limb to cut off rather than another. Oh well! I don't think retardestness runs horizontially! They are horizontal relatives thank goodness! I am a lineal relative, oh boy watch out! OK, Jill wants to say something! Hello! From Jill...Well Eve, by the time you are able to read this you have already figured out that your grandpa is a little mmm.....eccentric in an odd way. It is okay though even though he may come off as a little intimidating and scary, he is okay. You will get used to him and off course a little will rub off on you. It is pretty pathetic that I am writing on my dad's blog but as you already know I am a little computer illiterate. I hope you get the smarts of your parents because all I can teach you is about how crazy Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh were and your uncle Noah can teach you any and everything about Guitars and his hero's Kurt Cobain and Bob Dylan. I am so excited to see you. Your mom is worried that I am going to talk baby talk to you because I always do to my ferret, Wishkah, but what can I say, I am a mother to all animals. I hope that he is around to meet you, but if not, I am sure I will have come across a wounded legless animal to save before too long. I hope that you aren't too overly freaked out about your soon to be family. I am sure you will fit right in. Love you. Your Aunt Jill

Tim

Hello Eve!

Your Mom just sent us a thank you note for the little outfit we sent to your shower party. She said you got a whole lot of pink stuff. Our stuff was like blue or purple or something. Anyway, a little about "colors". Your Mom is like a black and white person (actually beige). She is very analitical and organized. While she always insisted that her outfits match, she never wanted to stand out. She wouldn't go to school, unless her entire outfit matched, I mean including socks and everything. She would cry. She also wouldn't wear anything that was loud or had logos or anything that would make her stand out. She is still like that. Then, along came your Aunt Jill. She was and still is, just the opposite of your Mom. Jill couldn't care less if her outfits match and the more color the better, especially if they are "crazy" or let me say, "unused" colors. She doesn't do it to get attention, but I actually think it is because your Mom was just the opposite. Then there is your Aunt Erin. What you'll see when you meet her is way different than when she was little. Aunt Erin loves pink now (and probably would have stolen some of your stuff if it would fit her). She likes every "girly-girly" thing there is, especially trendy stuff. This is sooooooo far different than when she was little. First of all, she never, ever had anything new. She had to somehow take your Mom's plain stuff and your Aunt Jill's wild stuff, all hand-me-downs, to make an outfit. But, believe it or not she didn't care. She was actually a tom-boy and sort of a grubby little kid. So, I suspect her girly attitude now is simply trying to make up for her younger days. Anyway, we are all wondering what you will like. Your Mom's influence and your Dad's influence, Grama's, Aunt's, everyone will try and figure it out, but I am most assured that you will figure it out on your own. Just thinking about stuff! Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom is really funny! She is still worried that your dad will chicken out when it comes to giving you your first bath and messing with your cord and stuff, so she keeps writing about it in this blog journal to make sure he gets the message. Don't worry because this case is so well documented that if he chickens out now, he'll never hear the end of it. Heck, he'll probably go ahead and deliver you himself now. Hey Dad, don't worry. It is actually pretty cool, but it is a little scary. You'll know everything is alright when Eve starts crying really loud. Eve, tell him to suck it up and stand up and be somebody! Love, Tim.

getting prepared

Wow, it seems like time is just flying until August 1. Your dad and I did attend a childbirth class and it was pretty cool. Now we won't totally freak out when labor starts, at least not at first hopefully! We went on a tour of the labor and delivery rooms and your dad got really excited when he saw the pull out chair he'll get to sleep in. It's about half the size of a twin bed. I don't even think his shoulders will fit on it, but he said he'd stay with us. He also said he would go with you when the nurses took you after birth. He'll help give you your first bath and weigh and measure you. He also said he would cut the umbilical cord. He was unsure about all of those things at the beginning, but now that the time is closer he has changed his mind. We watched you rolling around in my belly two days ago. Dad stared in awe and said it looked like there was an alien inside me. We set up the bassinet for you in our room. I sterilized it and all the blankets are already in it as well. Grandpa was correct, he knows me too well. Grama also mailed us two boxes of goodies for you from your little party a few weekends ago. As soon as we get those, we'll be even more set up in your room!

Having fun

I did get to go to a party recently. There was a lot of giggling and I a lot of people rubbed and patted me in mom's belly. I also had to attend a childbirth class so mom and dad know what's going to happen when it's time for me to join them on the outside. Mom did some funny breathing that is supposed to take her mind off the pain, but we'll see about that. I have been really active lately and that is because my room is diminishing in mom's belly. I've tried to make more room by pushing on all sides, but there's none to be had. Sometimes I can't get comfortable either so I roll around and around. Grama says I'm trying to impress her with my gymnastics, but I'm mostly practicing my headspin. I'm more into break dancing right now than gymnastics, but that could change.

Tim

Hello Eve!

Well, your Mom and Dad went to a class to learn how to have you. It's about time. I am glad they went early, because we are not sure if they passed. I am not sure why it is called "having" a baby. Of all of the adjectives that could be used with regard to childbirth, "having" is not the word I would have selected. Maybe, eruption, explosion, or volcano, but not "having"! Anyway, I am not worried about your Mom. She said today she that wasn't so worried anymore, and that if all of those "sissy" girls could do it, then she could surely handle it. I think Mother Nature takes over (along with some really expensive drugs) for Moms. I just wish I could be a fly on your Dad's shoulder. He has "no idea" what he is in for. The average baby weighs like 6 or 8 pounds. Heck, your Dad has poops bigger than that. Anyway, he's sort of a tough guy, but I promise you will be able to knock him over with a feather after you are "haved" (that's a joke too...your Aunt Erin probably uses that word regularly...E, that is not a word). Just don't scare him too much and try to behave the first few times he holds you. And PS. Make sure that they passed the class! Love, Tim.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Your Mom said she and your Dad actually saw you "rolling" around in her tummy this past weekend. Her skin was all moving around and stuff kinda like a ball of dough. She sounded pretty excited. Just make sure your head is down when you decide to join us. Just act like you are "diving" into a pool. Oh wait, you can't swim yet! Well maybe you can, I don't know. Speaking of swimming, please don't let your Mom put you in those crazy baby swimming lessons. We did that with your Mom and it was really stupid. We just put her in a pool and then they made me dunk her. She would then start flopping around. The instructor called it swimming. I called it no other choice! Anyway, your Mom and Dad cabbaged on to a bassinet. Carey said it had a stereo and a rocker and some other cool stuff. Just so you'll know, she has already washed it and sterilized it. I think she got that trait from me. She probably already has blankets, sheets, and pillows on it. I just hope it's pretty big, because you may be sleeping in it for a while. Your Dad is supposed to be making your baby bed, but so far he is still in the planning and design stages. I think he did order a matress, so when you get about 3 or 4 feet tall, they can at least throw the matress on the floor for you. Don't worry, Carey will clean that too, but it may be a little drafty down there. Seriously, everyone is really excited about your Dad building your crib. Your Mom and Aunt's all grew up in a homemade baby bed. It's sort of a family tradition. Your Mom's bed weighed about 600 pounds, but it was still sort of pretty. After the kids were done using it, we sold it to the zoo. They used it for baby gorillas and sheep and stuff. I trust your dad to build a submarine or maybe a racecar, but I am not so sure about this bed deal. It will probably have tailpipes and a cooling system and either have solar or nuclear power of some sort. Regardless, it will be interesting. Anyway, everyone is thinking about you a lot, so if you decide to come early, that will be cool too, just not too early!

Tim

Hey Eve!

You are surrounded by people that already love you and just can't wait until you get here. Your Mom was really jacked about your visit and actually wasn't that tired after all of the activities. You don't realize this yet, but you had better not be a "dickhead"! I guess I shouldn't use the term dickhead, so let's say, you had not better be a "wooosy" girl. I am pretty sure that won't happen, since your Mom is a mean 'ol thing when she wants to be be. If so, there will be a lot of people coming to visit you and give you advice. Your Dad is actually going to be surprised. Little girls are the best thing on the planet. He will soon learn "patience"! That is important. You will have to go "slow" with him at first, but he will come around. Just let him be the "MAN" for a while and then he will realize that you are actually pretty cool. He's just a little nervous right now. I know your Mom will do alright, just don't let her get "overwhelming". I love you.

Your first party

Hi Eve,
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Kansas and much as your extended family loved seeing you and your parents! Your aunts Jill and Erin just couldn't get over you! You have really grown and are making your Mama look like she has swallowed a volleyball! Even with a volleyball sized Eve in her tummy, your Mama looks absolutely beautiful. Dad dressed up in his white uniform and looked very handsome. Everyone took lots of pictures! You were pretty quiet over your visit BUT I did get to feel a little kick from you! I think your Dad is exaggerating about how strong you are or you are just trying to impress him! That's OK too!
Wow, did you get some great presents at your first party!!! Mama and Dad couldn't even take all of them back home! Don't worry, Grama will send them to you. I was very emotional when you and your parents had to leave - you just lived too0o far away. I am really excited to come out and for your birthday but until then, time will pass slowly. Love to all, Grama

how i'm feeling

Well Eve,
If I have seemed a little anxious lately, it is because I am. Your dad and I are going home this weekend and we can hardly wait. It's been since Christmas since we got to hang out with everyone. That's when they actually found out about you. We made you a little stocking with our pregnancy test in it and blue and pink ribbons tied to it. Everyone was ecstatic except your grandpa, and he was in shock.

If you do turn out to be a girl, he will be at ease, seeing as how he raised three of his own. If you do happen to be a boy, I'm sure you'll have some different hobbies than my sisters and I had. Instead of slap boxing, you may actually spar and instead of teaching you to pitch underhanded he'll have to teach you to pitch a baseball. Those kind of things.

Your dad is getting excited. He wants to build you a crib. He wants me to get going with my scrapbook for you and he wants me to finish crocheting your blanket. He seems to be in a hurry to get you out of my belly so he can hang out and teach you to have perfect pitch, teach you baby sign language, teach you spanish, and whatever else he can teach you.

Mom, aunt Jildo, and aunt E have been crazy cats. Of course E can't wait to be an aunt, she looks forward to that more than being a mother. She will be able to teach you how to be fashionable as well as healthy. That's good, because your mom has zero fashion sense. Aunt Jill will teach you to love art and animals. We'll try to keep that love for animals to a less extreme than aunt Jill takes it. (No offense Jildo) Grama can teach you everything else. There's pretty much nothing she isn't good at, besides maybe driving in big cities, but mom knows how to do that.

I bought you something last weekend. You won't get to meet your great grama Sortore, but I bought something for you that I wanted to pass on from her. When I was growing up, we used to read book after book together. She really liked poetry and I found a copy of one of the poetry books that we used to read. It's called When We Were Very Young by A.A. Milne. I hope you appreciate the poems as much as I do.

Tim

Hey Eve!

Hey buddo...I didn't put the steaks on early enough (by the way they are "BOCCA" steaks...that's another stupid joke...fake steak!). Anyway, ask your Mom... or Aunt Jill. OK, you are going to take on the personality and perspective of many things in your life, but most importantly...your own personal feelings, perspectives, and emotions; but, just as important as that, are the views you garner (that means what your Mom and Dad teach you...that's for Aunt Erin, read it again E... (that was another joke) from your environment!) Hey Thomas, double brackets...that's an equasion, right? (that means "math" Eve!) Oh shit, that's a triple bracket...you'll have to ask your Dad about that one! Eve, your Dad is pretty smart! OK...well that's what everyone is really wondering about! You are sitting around in a "heavenly" place right now, but soon, you will enter a pretty crazy world. It's really not that crazy, but some people seem to make it that way. Your Mom and Dad are wondering how to expose you to everything in life, yet teach you how to have fun and enjoy life. Let me tell you...they have a bunch of support. And more important than that is that they have a bunch of "love" to draw on (not an Art project Jill)...Anyway, figure this one out!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Hey buddo...I didn't put the steaks on early enough (by the way they are "BOCCA" steaks...that's another stupid joke...fake steak!). Anyway, ask your Mom... or Aunt Jill. OK, you are going to take on the personality and perspective of many things in your life, but most importantly...your own personal feelings, perspectives, and emotions; but, just as important as that, are the views you garner (that means what your Mom and Dad teach you...that's for Aunt Erin, read it again E... (that was another joke) from your environment!) Hey Thomas, double brackets...that's an equasion, right? (that means "math" Eve!) Oh shit, that's a triple bracket...you'll have to ask your Dad about that one! Eve, your Dad is pretty smart! OK...well that's what everyone is really wondering about! You are sitting around in a "heavenly" place right now, but soon, you will enter a pretty crazy world. It's really not that crazy, but some people seem to make it that way. Your Mom and Dad are wondering how to expose you to everything in life, yet teach you how to have fun and enjoy life. Let me tell you...they have a bunch of support. And more important than that is that they have a bunch of "love" to draw on (not an Art project Jill)...Anyway, figure this one out!

Tim

Hello Eve!

Hey, just wanted to let you know that your Aunt Jill broke a tooth yesterday. It wasn't one of her molars (used for chewing), and it wasn't one of her front teeth (used for biting and smiling). It was one of her canines, the one's on the side. They are longer and sort of pointed. They are there to tear meat from the bone. Anyway, she called today for some advice about getting it fixed. I asked her why even fix it! In case you didn't know, your Aunt Jill is a vegetarian. That means she doesn't eat meat. It is really cool and probably really healthy and I think a lot of artists do it, but it is a little different. Anyway, when you get here and are hanging out with Aunt Jill, please try to cut down on ordering steaks, or pork chops, or roast beef, or bacon, or veal, or fish, or lamb chops, or pork roast, or hamburgers, or ham, or lobster, or turkey, or any of that stuff. And never, I mean never, order any Kentucky Fried Chicken. You should expect some literature in the mail soon regarding this issue. Read it and digest it (that's a joke)!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Well, summer doesn't officially start until June 21st or something, but it sure feels like it's going to be a "hot" one. I wonder if you get hot inside there when your Mom gets hot or if it's like you are in the A/C all of the time. You'll have to let us know. I talked to your Mom yesterday, and while it is always enjoyable, she is so "mello" on the phone, sometimes you think you are talking to yourself. She would have been a great 911 operator, talking to people in crisis, because she is always very calm and sort of quiet and to the point. Never panics. I can't wait to see if she acts that way the first time you two disagree or you get in trouble. It takes a whole lot to get your Mom mad, but once she crosses the line, watch out! She can be very mean when necessary. One time she and, I think your Aunt Jill got into a fight. Your Mom was banging her head on the floor like she was possessed or something. I think Jill still suffers some trauma from that. I have applied to the Okra show to maybe re-enact that day to see what really happened. Anyway, I wouldn't push her too hard at least until you get that little brother. Trust me, most boys are bad, so he'll probably make your actions seem angelic...Maybe!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Obviously, I am a morning person. Hey, I told you a while back, that you were having a party when you come to visit this next weekend. I hope the trip works out and the flight is pleasant and that you and your Mom feel good when you get here. You are going to be getting some cool stuff. We can't be there, but we sent you a little something. Hey, now this is important and I am leaving it up to you. Your Mom and Dad sometimes have a little trouble finding the right airport. I know that sounds silly, but go figure. See, when you buy an airplane ticket, it's specifically for a certain airline, at a certain time, at a certain airport. It's sort of a rule, and a very good idea, to go to the actual airport that your plane will be picking you up at. They give you instructions when you buy a plane ticket and they even print where you are supposed to go right on the ticket. It's pretty simple for most people. Anyway, make sure that Mom and Dad read the tickets and take you to the right airport, this time.

Tim

Good Morning Eve!

It's a beautiful Sunday morning and as I have been sitting here drinking a cup of coffee and playing with the dogs, I can't help but wonder if you are going to be a morning person or a late nighter. The difference between a morning person and a late nighter is pretty simple. A morning person wakes up in a good mood, ready to do something, and a late nighter likes to sleep in and then stay up late at night. Your Mom was a morning baby and still is pretty much a morning person. She would wake up at 5:00 AM every morning, ready to eat, poop, and play. Your Aunt Jill and Erin are both late nighters who love to sleep in. Even when they were baby's, especially Jill, they would sleep and sleep and sleep. I am not sure which your Dad is, but hopefully he will become a late nighter. That way, your Mom can get up with you in the morning and your Dad can stay up late with you, if you want to. Regardless, if you are anything like your Mom, you'll most likely be a mess and pretty high maintenance. Most really smart baby's require a lot of attention, because they get bored easily. Have a beautiful day kicking and rolling around in there!

Tim

Hey Eve!

Finally, some family participation. I bet you were sitting in there hoping that I wasn't your only relative. I can feel your sigh of relief from here! Eve Ning is pretty cool. Your Dad had a pretty good idea. It brought to my mind a couple of others...Eve N...or Eve Ning Wing (after one of your Mom's friends). Have a great evening! (that's a joke). Love, Tim. PS. "E squared" would be kinda cool, but I don't know to make that symbol on the computer.

Grama is coming to meet you

Hi Eve! My travel plans are finalized but I am going to need a little help from you!!! Can you get things started around July 27th? We have to work this out so that I will definitely be there to welcome you into this crazy world AND have a week or two to talk, hold and get to know you! Does this sound like a plan you can agree to? If not, (you may be a little scared) I have managed to saved up quite a few sick days so I can stay longer! Let me know! Love, Grama Sortore

it's mama's turn

I'm sorry to tell you Eve, but grandpa will not be in charge of giving you a nickname. After all, the nickname "E" for your aunt Erin was not the first nickname, just the one that stuck. Dad first called her Ester ronius ronius roro which of course she loved, but it was too much to say at once. Aunt Jill and I called her Stinky because she wouldn't take showers, but she changed that habit after some time. We'll have to wait and see what nickname is fitting, but it will be tough to come up with a nickname that will be as perfect as you will be. (I can be corny because I'm the mama!) We will also not be letting your dad pick out your nickname. After all, he wanted your middle name to be Ning, so you would be called Eve Ning. As for the violence your dad receives from me, he deserves every bit of it, so don't let him fool you.

broke down and bleeding

Here's a funny story. Every time you kick your mom in the ribs, she hits me in the face like it's my fault she is pregnant or something. I wich you would stay still and not kick your mom quite as often because I am the one who has to pay for it. I have to go now, I think we are out of bandaids.