Dr. Packer, DMD

The day after Evelyn's baby blessing was Brad's graduation day.  We started the day, as all graduates should, with a good breakfast.  We chose the all American diner.  The diner we went to is about 2 minutes from our house and a bit of a local hot spot since the movie, "Silver Linings Playbook," was filmed there.  And they have great pancakes.  We had just been seated when the local news showed up.  They had come to do a piece on the diner.  As they were prepping for the shoot the newsman went around and interviewed the locals.  The newsman talked to us for a bit and asked, "Are you celebrating anything special today?" Brad did not want to be on the news and so he played things down.  The news man let us know he may come over and interview us live, but it never ended up happening.  The Tuskegee Airmen, 25th wedding anniversary, and the superfan stole the show.  Whew!

Then it was on to the main event.  Brad's graduation was a little different than any other graduation I've ever been to.  Instead of "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduates marched in to "Scotland the Brave" (aka, "Praise to the Man" for Mormons) complete with bagpipes.  The Dean is Scottish so we're assuming that's where the musical selection came from.  The talks were actually pretty good.  The class president even took a selfie during his talk.  Brad did get to walk and get his diploma from the Dean.  We're super proud that Brad was able to receive his diploma that day.  Only about a 1/3 to a 1/2 of the class had completed all of the requirements to graduate and get their diploma on graduation day.  But Brad worked so hard and was able to get everything done on time!

After the ceremony there was a reception at the dental school.  It was a nice event and celebration for everyone.  Brad got a bunch of pictures with his classmates, faculty, and friends.

Dr. Newell

Dr. Rosenfeld

The Tuckers, I couldn't have made it without Rachel!

Best Friends from School

Brad took everyone on a tour of the dental school and even showed them his chair in his clinic.

That evening we went out for a graduation dinner.  We got a recommendation from one of Brad's faculty of where to go and he sent us to a very nice restaurant called Flemmings.  The food was excellent and we really enjoyed celebrating with our family.

I'm so proud of Brad!  It's taken a lot of work to get through dental school and he's been such a great student.  Every time I've talked to his professors they always tell me about how great of a dentist Brad is.  They tell me he has such amazing hand skills and that he can do some of the hardest procedures with ease. He's gotten the "Clinician of the Week" award several times during the past 2 years, even during his junior year which hardly ever happens.  I'm proud of him for doing so well.  Congrats Dr. Bradley Packer, DMD!

Evelyn's Baby Blessing

We were so grateful to have both of our families come for Evelyn's baby blessing.  It's always special to have them here.  Evelyn blessing dress is pretty special.  It was the blessing dress I was blessed in as a baby that my aunt had given me.  The little bonnet she is wearing is one I made to go with the dress.  Evy was a little fussy before her blessing and let out quite the wail when Brad picked her up to go up to the front.  But once she had everyone around her, she gave them all a big grin and was perfect for the rest of the blessing.  Brad gave her a wonderful, sweet blessing. This little girl is so special and we're so grateful we get to have her in our family.

Family Comes to Visit

We've had lots of good things around our house lately and there will be lots of blog posts to catch up with once I've got all the pictures edited.  But to start with my mom and sisters came out for a visit.  Mostly they we're here as slave labor, I mean, they generously offered to help me pack up the house for our upcoming move.  They got so much packed up!  I did treat them to a morning out at Longwood Gardens.  And it was lots of fun just to catch up with my sisters again.  I'm so glad they could come visit!

Evelyn at 3 Months

- If you just look at her, she will light up with the biggest smile.  She is just the happiest baby.
- The phenomenal sleeping continues.  At least 12 hours at night.  And her naps are getting better too.  She takes 3 naps during the day and usually she has one that is a good 3 or 4 hours long.

- Has discovered her hands.  She loves to suck on them, though thankfully she hasn't really gotten into it like Nathan.  She loves to look at them and get them in her mouth.
- Evy has a little bear that she loves to play with and snuggle.

- She had her first stroller ride (we've been doing a lot of baby wearing instead) and she loved it!
- Still not a fan of tummy time, but tolerate mommy and me tummy time.

- I've seen arms out before, but never legs.
- Also this cutie has a touch of tortacollis like her big brother.

- We've been spending more time outside and Evy doesn't like being laid down in the grass.  Not at all.
- People are so tentative to call her hair red.  It's so funny to me.  They'll make some comment like, "Her hair looks like it has a touch of red to it." Yes, it's red. And I'm completely in love with it.

- I've figured out the trick to not having Evy cry after bath time.  You have to wait until she's done being in the water before taking her out.  No quick baths for her.  She loves splashing and kicking in the water and if you cut that short she's sure to let you know.
- Just starting to sleep unswaddled.  She was getting her arms out anyways.

- Pretty tolerant of her big brother.  And she loves to watch him play.
- She's pretty good about going with the flow though. If we have to be out and about she's happy to tag along.

- She's got a bald patch on the back of her head and I'm so so sad about it.  She can't lose any of that red hair!
- Evelyn's just the best little baby.  She only cries if she's hungry or tired.  Mostly she's smiling and gurgling. Or sleeping.  I don't think babies come easier or happier than this sweet little doll.

Evy's Quilt

I have wanted to make an orange peel quilt for a long time, but all the hand appliqué made me a little hesitant to go for it.  Once I knew I was having a little girl, I knew I wanted to give it a try.  It was more work than my usual quilt projects, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting and I actually enjoyed making it.  And seeing it come together so beautiful definitely makes it worth it.  The quilting was done by a family friend.  She always does an amazing job, but she really outdid herself with all the detail on this quilt.  I love it and I think Evelyn does to!