Expanded Evans: Hello, New Year! Hello, Baby Bump!

Happy New Year!! Hope you all enjoyed the holidays!

Shane, Kylie, and I had a wonderful holiday break, as we road tripped it to Iowa. It was a long, cold journey to-and-from, but we very much enjoyed the time with family and friends. Sure wish we lived closer to everyone so we could share more fun times together!!

Crazy to think the difference a year makes. Last year for the holidays we celebrated a quiet Christmas at our home in Benicia, followed by some lazy days in Tahoe, and counted down the New Year in Spanish at a Samba event with friends. This year we were surrounded by many of you, enjoying precious "firsts" with Kylie, and counting down the New Year in our dreams so we would be ready for her 5 a.m. wake-up call. Can't even imagine how our holidays will pan out this year, especially with two little kiddos!

As far as the kiddos go, Baby Evans #2 is coming along quite well, and Kylie continues to keep us on our toes. I welcomed the second trimester this weekend, which I cannot believe! The weeks are going much quicker this pregnancy, which should be expected since Kylie is a full-time job (and such a joy!). Plus, I'm interning full-time at a local high school. To say the least, my weekends are better defined and greatly appreciated these days!

On Monday, Kylie will be 8 months!! She is such a riot, and we just love seeing her grow and develop. Over the holidays, she sprouted her first two teeth on the bottom, so that was quite exciting (and a bit nerve-wrecking due to the mood swings... haha!). She continues to pull herself up on everything, walks when we assit, and is able to stand on her own for a few seconds. Walking is probably closer than we know!! God, help us! Haha! Also, her babbling keeps expanding, including "Dada." We've noticed and joked about it, but when it's time to play, she seems to moreso call out "Da Da Da." However, when it's time to cry, we hear "Ma Ma Ma."

Another cute gesture is she has figured out what "kisses" means. I'll always say, "kisses" and kiss her cheek or lips. Now when I say it, she'll turn her head and lean in for a kiss. Melts me!!

Since I'm logging in more hours these days at the school and Shane is trying to fly as often as he can, we decided to enroll Kylie in an at-home daycare. She starts on Monday, and we're eager to see how she does. I'm excited that she'll be exposed to other kids her age. I just hope the caretakers can keep up with her and accept her 20-30 minute power-naps as their break.

Finally, here are some of the latest pictures (most of which were taken with my Christmas gift from Shane... a new Canon Rebel T3i. LOVE it!!). Enjoy!