The Helenthal household this week has been a bit crazed. Chad is out of town on business, so Evie and I are ruling the roost, girl style!

Evelyn is eating everything in sight – the kid has not rejected one type of food we have introduced so far. She is eating roasted potato, squash, pear, apple, rice cereal – you name it, she has tried it – and likes it! To be honest, I was a little apprehensive about this new phase – solids. I imagined being splattered with mushy sweet potato in my face as Evelyn threw the spoon and knocked over the food in her high chair. She has taken to it like a charm – she loves to sit in her high chair and interact with us at dinner. She is mesmerized with drinks, she wants to try and take a sip from our cup, and actually does it with little spill! She likes different textures and they don’t upset her. When she is done, she just closes her mouth and does not spit or shake her head. She just closes those adorable lips and smiles to say, “I’m done!”

As for me, I am intent on working in some time to exercise and walk with Evelyn. I want her to be out of doors as much as possible. Last Saturday, we walked to the park in our neighborhood and watched the ducks. She stared down the ducks, so content and interested in their little quacks and waddles. I think about what must be forming in that brain of hers, the synapses connecting as she experiences new things each day. Walking with Evelyn has two great benefits – Evelyn is engaged and mommy is walking off this baby weight!