sweet baby evie

i cannot get enough of sweet baby evie lately. she is always up for a snuggle, has no desire whatsoever to sit on her own, and is always smiling and laughing. (unless hungry or tired. and cover your ears if she is both. remember, brewer genes!)

still working on the slow, slow process of scanning, saving, uploading my baby photos. but i have been thinking so much about my love and obsession over miss evalyn jayne while doing this,

i feel like, this baby, she is MINE. my mini-me. she is number three, like i was. she has the dark(er) hair that i did. and she brings peace, which is all i ever want.

the above picture is me, with evie's namesake: my dad's sweet mother Evalyn Bowerman (she passed away 13 years ago when i was just 11). i keep doing a double take looking at it because evie looks so much like i did. this is normal to so many people, but i never, ever thought that i would have a child look like me after having caleb and claire. it sounds so silly, and it is, and i realize that i just shouldnt care, but i have dreamed and dreamed of having MY child. some people say claire looks like me; i can hardly see past the while blonde hair so i dont know.

oh anyways. loving little evie. i am feeling like a failure with her right now; i nursed her for the last time last night. for some reason my milk supply decided to just go away, and it is killing me. long story short, i feel it is best for her, for my sanity, and the sakes of my other children that she get formula. i have enough stored that she will get some pumped milk every day until she is 6 months old (next week!) which makes me feel a little better. i promised myself that in order to be "fair" i would nurse all my babies until at least six months. any longer is lucky for them......

anywho. the last few times she has really struggled with it, but last night i decided it would be the last time, and she was so content the whole time, and drifted off to sleep seeming so happy. (okay i am bawling now, why am i so emotional about this???? ) she seemed to be telling me that it was okay. so here we are, im done nursing. and now, hopefully i can shed a few pounds. ha!

love that girl.

Bubsaloo

Just a bubba update.

He is allllll boy. Except when Claire gets her nails painted- he loves getting in on that action.

He is finally talking lots and lots. Tons of new words everyday. My fave right now is when he tries to say chocolate. So funny.

He has recently reverted to baby mode- wants a binky, to be carried, wants to be held and rocked, wants me to feed him a bottle. I am totally aware that this is normal. My mom loves to remind me that I was potty trained completely before my brother was born, and then went backwards when he arrived. I was expecting him to, just five months ago! His binky thing is driving me crazy, he had no problems 9 months ago giving it up. Trying some things this week, hopefully it's not a problem much longer!

He always has bruises everywhere. He is so rough and tumble, but always just gets up and keeps going. Sometimes needs a quick kiss from mom, but then just keeps going. 

I think he was born with the knowledge of how to make everything a sword. Everything gets pointed like a sword. 

He wants to grow up so bad. Just to play with big sis, and ride a real bike. Long torso and short limbs does not help him reach the pedals, sadly. 

He thinks he is so funny, and is so happy most of the the time. Super ticklish, and has the most infectious laugh. The biggest open mouth grin, and bright eyes that go squinty when he smiles.

Such his father's child. Knows how to do puppy eyes better than his father even.

Boy do I love him. Crazy, silly, happy bubba. 

Kidlets

These babies. These little loves of mine. 

Oh, how happy they make me.

How crazy they are. 

Munchkins, stay little? 

Stay my chubby cherubs.

Sweet, sticky kisses, and big bear hugs. 

Snuggles, kisses for a boo boo.

I can't get enough. 

Tucking in for bed. Bubbles for the bath.

Extra blankets, extra juice, extra loves, always room for more. 

Kidelts, stay mine. Because I love you beyond the moon and back.

Lil' dancing queen

My sweet friend did a little dance class for the girlies in the neighborhood this summer. Claire did really well this year, even after a rough start she really surprised everyone and performed the routine so well. She just loves her buddies and dancing her heart out! We are really going to miss this wonderful group of friends, they have really been such a wonderful blessing for us.

The best two years

Caleb "bubba" James Brewer

You came out, squealing like a pig, and have not stopped since.

You peed all over the nurses and your daddy, but not me, so thank you.

You are so sweet, and give THE BEST hugs.

You very rarely stop moving, but I suspect that goes with the territory of boy/toddler/being your father's son.

You really are mostly good with your sisters, and play along with the girly schemes and they love it.

You l.o.v.e. nursery, and despite my concerns, you get excellent reports.

You love Jesus, and love looking for pictures of him.

You love all your bears. It was one of your first words.

You loves CARS, racing as fast as you can, and driving with the windows down.

You ALWAYS have a bruise on you somewhere. ALWAYS.

Monster, we love you to pieces. Happy 2nd birthday!

And now, a picture montage (of just the last 8 months. Ha.):

4 months.

I luf this girl. 

4 months. 

4 months of a beautiful, infectious smile. It's been 4 months of pure joy. 

Evie girl is happy, all the time. Except when she is hungry.... But she is a brewer, it's bound to happen. 

Evie is giggly, and coos. She blows bubbles, raspberries, and makes noises that sound like she is talking back. 

And, in true brewer fashion, she was introduced to limes today and couldn't get enough of them. In fact, it was the only thing to calm her down when I didn't have a bottle ready for her when I went to get a burrito with Lindsay tonight. Gotta love that. And Evie. Gotta love Evie. 

Long live summertime!

We are having too much fun right now to post much. Dance class, pool, sprinklers, outside play, doggies, parties, friends, visitors, it's all just making time fly. These two fight as hard as they love each other, so that's fun. Summer is slipping through my fingers like sand, and I can't get it back. I'm sorta obsessed with watching the Olympics as much as possible, and it's driving my kids bonkers I think. Anyone else?

And that binky..... Oh man he hasn't had it since January, but found it last week and he insists sometimes. Yikes!

Just the kiddos.

Everyday I wake up and have to remind myself I have three kids. (how did that happen?) Everyday I am so glad to have them. But it usually takes me a while to get myself up. Because they are sometimes long, lonely (lonely only because i dont get to see joe) days, with some pretty active kids. Most days, joe is gone pretty much the whole day. Like, sometimes it's three days before the kids see him for more than the 15 minutes before he leaves for work.

So most days it's me and the kids, and some days we don't do anything. But it's summer and I don't mind. Summer is for playing, snow cones, sprinklers and pools, suntans, and right now, snuggling with my baby, who is growing up entirely too fast. And it's for chasing my almost two year old, who doesn't want to wear a diaper. The little rascal.

My littles are literally bouncing off the walls in anticipation. My parents are on their way here with half their house in a moving truck, and Lucy and Lizzy, the doggies. And papa is coming so soon too! It'll be a very full house for a while, and I'm stoked. We like it crazy around here :)

So if things are quiet on the blog, I'll be back soon. And if it's a really long time, it's because a couple doggies ate something they shouldn't have.

And because I'm so excited, a cute picture of my parents with bubba on his blessing day. Let the crazy begin!

My buddy

I feel physically ill that she is 2.5 months old already.

She:
is trying to hold up her head.
loves nursing
is very drooly
gets giddy when nakey
would rather skip tummy time
is so patient with her adoring siblings
gets chunkier by the second
wakes up with a smile every morning, and after every nap
cries so quietly
hasn't had the hiccups for a few days

I want to eat every last bit of her. And bottle her up for later.

This girl is full of beautiful smiles lately. She does seem to have SES, but we'll take it. Love love love it. And sleeping. Still. 8 weeks today, and the last few nights she's gone 9 or so hours straight.

We "officially" started potty training Caleb today. He's gone several times on the potty before getting in the tub, and has taken his diaper off and run to the bathroom on his own. He wasn't real sure about the undies at first, but I think he will like it.

Joe's mom is in town for a couple of days still. We haven't done too much, kept it low key so she could just enjoy and love on Evie girl and the older kids, but we will be getting some things in today and tomorrow for sure. she has been so helpful and generous with us, even getting up and letting me sleep in a little. So appreciatetd!

girlie girl

So many funny things. Claire is starting to understand boy vs. girl..... Which has lead to a lot of funny conversations. Especially because Claire is such a Tom boy sometimes. I think Evie is going to be a little more girlie than her sister.

The last two weeks have been rough trying to keep the kids from being outside 24/7. Mornings we spend inside and the afternoons are usually outside. It's been so fun, and Claire just loves her little friends. Even Evie loves hanging out in the shade feeling the breeze. Can't wait for the pools to open!

Munchkin land

Nothing in the world I would rather do than be a mother to these littles. Nothing.

I fall into that stereo- typical "Molly Mormon" because I went to byu, got married, started having kids and dropped out before getting my degree. I don't regret that for even a tiny moment. I learn more from these kids than I could ever learn in a classroom. I still want to get my degree, and plan on doing so through byu's independent study program. but right now, I am enjoying (almost) every second of being in the trenches of young motherhood. And the few times I don't enjoy, I have a husband who balances things out and keeps it moving. And a sister who takes me away just long enough to make me desperate to get back to my babies.

So to Claire, Caleb, and Evalyn, you three really are my little rays of sunshine. I love you farther than the moon and back.

To my mother, I miss you. Can't wait for you to be closer! You really are the greatest example.

To my mother in law, thank you for raising such a wonderful son. He gets a lot of his awesomeness from you.

Happy mothers day to everyone!

Sister love

Life with three is awesome. Bubba a.d.o.r.e.s his sister. He says 'mine!' and begs to hold her. We get comments all the time about her dark hair.... She is in fact my child! I pulled out my baby photos and she really does look like me, with the hair and one dimple.

It's been a crazy, but enjoyable few weeks. My dad made a stop here in Utah for a quick 36 hours. Claire was jumping on his lap the second she saw him, Caleb warmed up after a couple hours, and Evie spit up on him when he held her on their first meeting. Claire was very upset when he left.... But Grammy and grampa will be back soon!

The weather has been amazing, and we spend as much time outside as possible. We've even had temps in the 80s, so swim suits and hoses were brought out. Weve had rides up the canyon, picnics, BBQs, lawn games, bon fires, and bike rides. Love the summer weather in Utah! We got pass of all passes (for ten bucks!) and can't wait for water parks, baseball games, and mini golf all summer. This could potentially be our last summer in Utah so we are packing in as much as possible.

So much I Should be doing inside, but it looks like another glorious day outside.... So I'm sure nothing will get done! But I would rather enjoy my kids than do laundry. So outside we go!



And there are pictures. They're coming. Everyone else, dad, mom, Lindsay..... They have them. And when I can get my hands in them.....

Evalyn Jayne

I'm sure I will be explaining this her entire life, as will she, but it's just how it is.

Evalyn. My dad's mother. She hated how her name was spelled, with an a and not 2 e's. But I love the name, and baby girl is named after her. We visited her grave over thanksgiving last year, and I knew that's what her name would be. Last week was 13 years since her passing. Maybe I'll share about that another time.

We are calling her Evie though. I've had a lot of people ask why we don't just name her that? My name is Katie, not Katharine, katelyn, not short for anything. And I get asked what it's short for all the time. So it goes both ways, and I just don't care. My dad is Richard, goes by rich. My father in law is Richard, goes by Rick. My brother is Christopher, goes by Chris. It just doesn't matter what she is called. She can go by whatever she wants when she's older.

Jayne. I realize this is probably going to annoy the heck out of little miss, but I like the y with the y in Evalyn. Jane is both my mom and little sister's name, and Jayne is my cousin. I love Jane, and Jayne.

I realize I kind of make a stink about people in Utah naming their kids weird things, or spelling normal names extra long just to make it 'different'. In my head, Evalyn is normal, Jayne is normal. And I end up spelling my own name as well as my kids so much, it just doesn't matter anymore. Caleb's name is spelled and pronounced wrong often enough I've come to terms with just spelling it out every single time. (our insurance spelled it with a k and even though we tried correcting it, it never is right. and every time we get something for him in the mail from them I gag a little..... ) an e with Claire's name, spelling out b-r-e-w-e-r, it's just going to be that way.

So she is Evie. Eh-vee. Not eeee-veee. And not evy. And I love her, and the sweetness that she has brought to our home. She is still THE BEST BABY, I really doubt there has been anyone better. Claire and Caleb were both really, really good too though, and I'm not sure which has been easiest. love them all.

We have three kids?

We were cracking up when he begged to wear daddy's suit coat on Sunday. The vest and tie were not grown up enough I guess? funny, funny boy.

I'm talking to Claire right now about babies in my tummy. She has quite the imagination, that one. It seems she understands there is not a baby inside anymore, but she keeps bringing it up.... She LOVES holding Evie and helping out. As long as she's in the mood for it anyways.

dream girl Evie only eats once at night. ONCE. From the time I am asleep until the big kids get up, one time she makes a few cooing sounds, sleepily gets through a meal, and goes back off to dream land, and usually sleeps in well past nine. Couldn't ask for anything better. And I have already forgotten life without her. Heading to the doc today for the 2 week check- we'll see how it goes, my guess is she doesn't make a peep. I gave her a bath Monday night and she slept through literally the entire thing. Until I flipped out when she pooped on the clean towel. At least she waited until after the bath, right?

Transition to three kids? Not too bad. Besides breaking two glasses, dumping sun block, nearly flooding the kitchen, bathroom, and family room, and smashing crackers into the carpet, doing great. Middle man seems to know he can do stuff when Evie is being fed, and sometimes takes advantage, but we're surviving.

Stud muffin

His first 'real' tie for church today. And I must say, he looks rather dashing. That little grin gets me every time, and yes it is near impossible to resist. He is surprisingly so, so good with Evie girl, loves her and watches out for her. Love my little guy.

Sorry this picture is terrible. My phone was the only thing handy.

More coming soon!

Perfection.

I swear she lives in her own world. Nothing phases her.

Her hospital bow lasted until sunday when bubba ripped it off. I think Claire's lasted a few hours. I think this is telling about their personalities.

I don't even know where to begin with the last few days. Evie's siblings adore her. But they are now huge to me. So funny how bubba was my little bug, and now he's some kind of big kid....

I don't have a family Easter picture- I know, what is wrong with me! But, you must understand, I barely found something that fit over everything, and still made it easy to nurse. Gotta love that awkward post baby stuff.

Still recovering. Still in the 'I am a cow' phase. Still trying to figure out how to keep the big kids from fighting while nursing. But, I have been blessed with a dream boat for a baby. Last night she slept all night except for a half hour of eating and then right back asleep. Like, 10-730. who does that??? Love her.

Sleeping beauty

So in love with this one.

She sleeps. So dreamy.

You know how with your first baby you take a million pictures? I've been enjoying her so much I never even paid attention to the camera.

We made it home. I don't mind the hospital until I want to leave. And it's like they try and keep you hostage and make you read and sign and read and sign. And tell what you are doing wrong.... Anyways.

In love.

New room!

Lindsay and I teamed up yesterday and seriously overhauled the two small bedrooms with some major success. I wish I had a real before picture.... But they were both needing some major attention. We switched the kids room with the guest room, stacked bunk beds, painted an accent wall, and started the de-junking. And the landing got cleared out, stuff went to the dumpster and DI, and so. much. more.

I'm aware that putting bunk beds up with such little kids is kinda risky, but Claire could not have been anymore giddy about the whole thing. She is excited she gets to share with baby, and loves being up in her new perch. Noises I have never heard her make came squealing out when she saw what we did. And I LOVE the results. From the color to the arrangement, I am so pleased.

There is still tons left to do, like clearing out the closets, but I kept thinking we were on an episode of trading spaces, except the only addition was a shelf and some paint. And it looks normal and I like the end result.

I should mention joe helped a lot too. Like those bunk beds are a pain to assemble, but he took them apart and back together anyways. So thank you Lindsay and joe for yesterday! It's almost all ready for baby to come! 16 sleeps, to be exact :)