Tag Archives: grandma b
Protected: evelyn’s first birthday party: snapshots
relaxing in the puerto rican sun
1
In February, we had the opportunity to go to Puerto Rico.
It was a wonderful, relaxing long weekend. (Trust me, she thought so too.)
We stayed in a condo in the heart of Old San Juan
with a beautiful enclosed patio all to ourselves.
The weather was wonderfully monotonous … 82 & sunny every day.
We stayed in the condo with our close friends & their little girl.
Evie & her friend liked to sit on their blanket & catch the sun rays from the patio while reading.
Having a lively discussion about their recent storytime … Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb.
Beautiful babes.
(Did you know, the world ends every time Evie has her face washed? It’s true.)
Back to the book discussion.
Out to explore.
Look who we ran into!
We had invited Evie’s grandparents on the trip with us! We are so glad they could join us.
Beautiful morning in San Juan.
Our friends & our babies.
Peering east out of a WWII lookout.
She had just woken up for a nap … in time to get a cool breeze.
She loved it.
Peeking up at Grandpa.
Hanging out with Daddy.
I love that face.
Happy people in the sun 🙂
Our little belle in her sun hat.
Chowing down at lunch.
On our hike to a waterfall in El Yunque rainforest.
Our little koala bear.
In front of the waterfall.
Interested in the waterfall.
Even though the water was freezing cold
… she LOVED it.
She wanted to get as close to the water as possible
and didn’t even mind sitting in it.
As long as she could splash her little heart out, she was happy!
Drying off.
Family of 3.
Then Michael and I went on an adventure. Did I mention it was cold?
Me & my love 🙂
Then Michael and his dad went in the waterfall too.
Tired baby girl.
On the path back.
Evie’s grandparents … so happy they were able to come with us!
I spy … a sleeping baby.
Kitty in the middle of the road.
Beautiful.
(even more beautiful.)
The girl loves dogs.
Daddy hugs.
Her hair. Her smile. I can’t take it.
Our precious girl.
A stroll at sunset on our last night in Puerto Rico.
… and a garbage truck breaking the laws of physics while barreling down the narrow streets, 2 tires on the sidewalk.
Another cat.
Making sounds at the birds.
Me & my girlie hanging out near a fountain in downtown Old San Juan.
I wonder at her wonder.
Waving & smiles … my heart melts.
It’s getting late … and she’s still bright eyed and alert for all of the beautiful sights.
(she thought it was a real person. I don’t blame her)
We had an amazing, amazing time in Puerto Rico. We had a lot of fun spending time with our friends and we were so blessed that Michael’s parents could make the trip as well. More pictures from our friends to follow … they captured this colorful city so perfectly.
(photos taken Feb 21-26, 2013)
february snapshots
If you’d like to follow me on instagram to see (many) more photos, follow me at abartowi.
a white christmas in wisconsin
OK, so I’m hoping I can catch up a bit here!
We went to Wisconsin for Christmas to spend time with Michael’s family. I have a lot of photos, and while they aren’t the best quality, I still had a difficult time narrowing down which ones to post! So, I posted a lot 🙂 They really capture the energy and love of the Christmas season, surrounded by family.
Michael & his brother Jeremy with their children … Evelyn was having fun with Lucas!
Evie eating Daddy’s nose. This is a game we play … where she eats our nose 🙂
Barto siblings & their first borns!
The Florida – now Virginia – Bartos.
Our little Polish gymnast with Daddy.
Playing with her cousin Owen … decompressing after an action-packed cousin pro photo shoot that morning.
(Who needs pants anyways?)
Jackson, hard at work.
She loves her Aunt Tina.
… and Owen thinks she’s quite hilarious as well.
Andrew & Ben.
iPad = kid magnet.
Evie & her Aunt Becca
… and Uncle Jeremy.
… and her Daddy too. Â Things just got weird.
Four of the Lynch sisters & Grandma Lynch!
Aunt Diana got some snuggles from Evie on Christmas Eve.
Early Christmas morning wonder.
Coffee & newspaper with Grandpa.
… and a morning nap.
A bit blurry, but I had to post a family Christmas pic…
All ready for Christmas mass.
Aunt Becca scolding someone, maybe? …and Evie approving of whatever she’s doing.
Sleepy Bartos 🙂
No family gathering would be complete without boys wrestling.
Jackson giving his gift to Uncle Jeremy.
and Evie getting kisses from Uncle Jeremy 🙂
Christmas morning gifts.
Cuddles with (a serious) Miss Evie.
First Christmas morning.
The grandchildren (and yes, that’s Lucas on the left, not a salesman selling chicks.)
Evelyn & her great-grandma.
Nap with Aunt Lottie.
… and a nap with a very content Grandma.
How many babies can fit in an Anywhere Chair?
Well,
… only one, after she hits the other one with a snack container.
Evie loved the ladybugs who scuttled about.
… and also trying on Otto’s hat. She wanted to let him know she’s a Packer fan too.
Sleepy time with Daddy.
Good morning! Play time with the cousins.
Owen taking a call.
Lucas surveying the front yard.
Owen tasting a teether.
… and who knows what Evie was up to.
All dressed up on her last day in Wisconsin … and about to get in the car to drive to Toledo to see her other grandparents!
Thank you, everyone in Wisconsin, for such a fun trip. We can’t wait to see you again in June!
huge milestone for this little Irish girl
Wow, I’m way behind on posting pictures on the blog. While I love blogging, I can’t feel too bad about being behind because that time is instead being spent on wonderful things: mainly spending every second with Michael & Evelyn where possible! In the evenings, We typically get home around 5:30/6:00, feed Evelyn while we’re making dinner, give her some finger food while we’re eating, I nurse her, then it’s play time for a while. That goes by too fast and already it’s 7:00/7:30 – time to read a book or two and put her to bed. Afterward, my mental list of items I want to accomplish in the couple of hours before my bedtime is already too long.
So, when you don’t see posts, it’s a good thing! We’re making memories. Also, I’m going to keep the commentary brief on these next few posts, just to get caught up.
On November 3, some of our family joined us on Notre Dame’s campus to go to the ND/Pittsburgh game. It was Evelyn’s first time at a Notre Dame game, but Grandma, Evelyn and I actually didn’t go TO the game. We hung out in LaFortune (the student center) and stayed warm & cozy.
First, we went to brunch in Amish country. Evie took a nap in Grandpa’s arms to prepare for the big day.
Ericha, Michael’s parents’ former next door neighbor … but she’s part of the family. 
Andrew, Michael’s cousin & Godson.
Evie, Michael and the Dome.
The whole gang …
… and Darrell & Laurel! We’re so happy they came too. 
At the Grotto.
South Quad on gameday.
The Band of the Fighting Irish at Bond Hall … and a crazy band alumni. Â ::rolls eyes::
“Hi everyone!”
Snuggling with Grandma.
The next day, sporting her new Packers spirit wear, from Grandpa & Grandma!
Suspicion. 
…and pure cuteness.
Evie meets the family
We drove up to Wisconsin for a long weekend so that Evie could meet the extended family & so they could meet her. First of all, she was a complete angel in the car. We left around her bedtime, and she slept the entire way. We only stopped once (for gas).
Evie is pretty easy going, but even this many people was still a shock to her.
“Daddy has HOW many family members?”
Evie meeting Michael’s godson for the first time.
Taking everything in.
I think she likes him.
Ben, the prince.
and Briahna … I forget which member of the royal family she is.
But she sure loved Evie.
… and Evie loved her.
Evie & Ericha
She seemed to be a pro at holding babies.
Evie & her cousin Owen, who was born in September 2011.
They will be in the same grade level.
Grandpa, I’ve had a long day … and it’s only lunchtime!
Kisses from cousin Jackson.
Girl talk with Ericha.
Finishing up lunch at the Barto household.
From Michael’s point of view:
My point of view:
“Whoooa.”
“Whooop.”
“Oh goodness.”
“Oh, that’s going to be a 3-wiper.”
“I wonder if they can tell.”
“Bleghh… I can taste it.”
“I wonder if they’ll believe me…”
“… if I say this guy did it.”
Grandpa with his 2 youngest grandkids.
Art in action.
A new approach to crawling.
THE best pouty face, courtesy of Ben.
O-baby!
Jax
My hot hubs.
Tickling O-Baby.
Serious Jackson.
Ben showing his skills.
He did that himself … Briahna went over to help 🙂
Goofball Ben.
Aunt Becca
She liked Pat so much …
… she decided he was a good place to take a nap.
Here she is, in the middle of the night.
Waking up with Grandpa.
Ready to face the day.
Trying out an Exersaucer for the first time.
Naptime before the big cookout.
Smiles for Mama.
Smiles for Daddy.
And so begins Evie’s introduction to the family! Evie & Sara:
Evie & Aunt Lottie
Evie & Erica
Evie & Aunt Cathy
Evie & Riah
Whew! Evie had a long day!
The next morning, before church:
Such a happy morning baby.
She smiled at daddy peeking in through the window:
Comfy in her hoodie, ready for a day in the car.
But first, we met sweet, 4-day old Isabella.
and her parents got to meet Evie as well!
There’s a big difference between 4 weeks and 4 months!
Then we started our drive home. During the first stop to feed Evie, we let her play outside while we ate. It made her happy and it was nice to take a break from being in the car.
We had so much fun in Wisconsin, seeing everyone again! By the look of these pictures, Evie had a pretty great time, too, meeting her family 🙂 She’s a blessed little girl.
(Aug 9-12, 2012)
iPhone download, Jul 23-30
our little side sleeper.
Chest nap with Grandma
Discovering her fingers again (she knew about them before she was born; now they are inseparable again).
Going for a long, grueling (1.5 block) walk to Graeter’s. It makes us feel better that we’re working off all of the calories we consume when we get there.
Discussing life’s mysteries with Mommy & Daddy.
Sound asleep on Darrell’s shoulder. She’s done this on his shoulder many times … it’s magic!
Having fun with Uncle Chris.
Bedtime routine with Daddy.
The perfect way to start our day. Everyday. 🙂
Learning her scales.
Sitting up like a big girl. ::tear::
She loves her Inchworm toy. Thank you, Kathy & John!
… and she loves her inchworm onesie (thank you Carney’s!) … Now that I think about it, she must have a thing for inchworms.
She also has a thing for falling asleep while play. << luckiest parents ever >>
She did it again. (This time with dainty crossed legs.)
Out for a stroll.
Jul 30 – Evie’s big day: her first day of daycare!!
Getting settled at school with Mommy.
Whaddya think, baby girl? This looks like a fun place.
Evie didn’t think this was the best position in which to meet friends. So, right after this was taken, she decided to move to better see her new friend. She moved the only way she knows how (roll to the left) and put her feet squarely in her friend’s face. 🙂
grandma & evie
(Jul 26, 2012)
family dinner
While Michael’s mom was visiting us, we made beef with snow peas (one of my favorite recipes by the Pioneer Woman) and had Lo, D & (Crazy Uncle) Chris over.
It was a great night to visit and pass the baby around.
Holding her toy and relaxing with her godfather.
… and her godfather doing some necessary multitasking.
Trying to impress Laurel by stuffing her whole fist in her mouth.
… and then crazy Evelyn decided to try and perch on D’s shoulder.
Evie, you may sound like a little bird, but you need to work on your perching skills.
… and then calming down for bedtime with Grandma.
Sweet baby girl snuggles.
(Jul 26, 2012)
bartoblog 