Going to the Aquarium

On Sunday, Katy, Derrick, Little D, Evan, and I went to the Aquarium. Mike was working Sunday so he couldn't go. While there, I realized just how much money we have poured into that place. We've had season passes this year and last, paid for at least 4 visits to the parking deck, bought a fish scale that is "forever" on the wall of the aquarium, and bought souvenirs and food.

Here's Evan ready to ride

Riding through the exhibts. He never really looked happy to be there.

Our fish scale

Little D enjoying the ride

After a break to eat

Little D, Derrick, Evan, and me

And now, some of the stars of the aquarium:

A house full of babies

Me and my baby boy with his new sunglasses

Like brother, like sister

Our tax deductions, Evan and Little Derrick

Sharing the playmat

Katy, Derrick, and Little Derrick came into town this weekend to visit us. Katy and Mike's Dad and step mom, Jackie, also came into town Saturday and Sunday. It was great to meet Little Derrick and spend time getting to know him. Katy pointed out that Evan was twice as old as Derrick for this time in their lives only. Evan is almost 15 weeks, Little D is almost 7 weeks.

Friday night, we went to our favorite Italian place, Biba's, and had a nice dinner. Both boys were angels. On Saturday, we went shopping, had a nice big family dinner, visited, and played dress up with the boys. On Sunday, we went to the Aquarium. I will post pictures from that trip tomorrow.

Thanks Katy, Derrick, Little Derrick, Dick, and Jackie for coming to visit us this weekend. It's nice to have family together in one place, even if for a short time. Katy and Derrick, we really enjoyed meeting the little one and we can't wait until both boys are older and they can play more!

Gimmie your money... please!

Each year, I usually walk or give to a few charities. I never ask anyone for money for these causes. This year, I am adding a great foundation to my list of charities and asking you to help. On May 5, 2007, I am going to meet up with my friends and blogger buddies, Andrea, Katie, and Becky and walk for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. I have copied and pasted the information from my walker page to this post below. I encourage you to read about this disease and make a donation.

To encourage you to give a small something, some guy I don't even know, Eric Robinson, donated $100. Thanks Eric, whoever you are. I am going to give $50 myself in thanksgiving for my healthy Evan and the beautiful Elena (thanks Andrea for the picture) who fights this disease every day. Evan wanted to donate my last $3 cash to the cause too. I know there are a million great causes out there but if you can spare a small something for Cystic Fibrosis, I would greatly appreciate it.

DONATE BY CLICKING THIS LINK

From my walk page:

GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fund-raising event. This year, I'm walking in the GREAT STRIDES walk at the 2007 Atlanta - Zoo Atlanta walk on 05/05/2007. Please help me meet my fund-raising goal of $250.00 by sponsoring me. Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education.

Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click this link to go to make a donation that will be credited to my team. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated!

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit http://www.cff.org/.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and GREAT STRIDES!

Bye Bye Bessie the Cow

My alter ego leaves me today. From this point forward I am no longer a dairy cow that I've aptly named (myself), Bessie. I pumped for 14 weeks and it just wasn't meant to be for this baby. It was a struggle to begin with and has been ever since. On one hand, I feel sad that Evan will only get formula from now on and on the other hand, I feel like this....

I will now get to sleep around the same time Evan does and there will be less bottle washing. I will miss my chic blue and brown pump bag but it was heavy! I can throw out the Reglan that didn't help and go back to Proactiv for my face and a few other things. I might stay off the caffine though, I don't miss it that bad.

When I look at everything in perspective, I am so lucky to have my healthy, happy Evan. God has blessed Mike and me with the best gift in the world. So, bye bye Bessie, see you in a year or two when Evan's brother or sister gets here.

A week in the life of Evan and Mom

Evan has been sleeping between 6 - 8 hours a night lately. I couldn't be happier! I'm struggling with staying awake at work some days so the longer he sleeps, the more I get too. Mike and I have figured that he has a method to his sleep. He starts out in the middle of the crib and works his way up to the top right corner of the crib. When he runs out of room, he cries. This picture is how we found him around 5:45 AM this morning, just when he was starting to get a good cry ready.

Here's some baby butt to brighten your day.

The drying process

Yours truly and Evan just before bedtime (ignore the fashion statement)

Getting ready to go shopping

I've been so busy lately that I've hardly the time to blog but I'm going to try and get better and more frequent with my new posts. This week, when I was back in Gwinnett, my time consisted of car appointments, Evan's 3 month pictures, the eye doctor, one quick visit to the mall, and exchanging Evan's baptismal outfit for the 2nd and hopefully, last time. His baptism is confirmed for Mother's Day though!

Tomorrow morning, we leave for an overnight trip to Greenville to visit Mike's Dad and step mom. Here's hoping your weekend is good!

3 months old and the auto show

***Quick side note: if you copy my version of the First Born survey, I am missing question 13 (thanks Heather) and 25 and 26 (thanks Andrea). I think the question is "What is the sex of your first child?" (after looking at Chris's blog). That's what I get for copying it off of MySpace. Since then, I have just re-numbered my survey.***

Today is Evan's 3 month birthday. He coos his thank yous to everyone that has wished him well today. It seemed fitting to post the First Born survey today (post below).

Yesterday, we went to the auto show downtown. Mike and I usually go every year so we figured Evan wouldn't mind it too much. We met Christina, Jeremy, and Cole down there and took in the many cars.

Christina and Cole immediately took to an SUV. She needs a vehicle with more room so that we can shop more!

Evan seems to have his eyes on other things

Mike and a big red egg. We have a slightly older egg (Prius) is silver. Mike said he was just checking out the head room. He loves these cars. I just like the gas mileage.

Christina and Cole checking out a sun/moon roof

Mike checking out another car

After a few hours at the show, we went to my dad's house where Evan borrowed a very slightly used plushy dog bed for a nap. My dad's dogs prefer the use of regular beds. He enjoyed it while we ate dinner and watched the NASCAR race where my boy, Jimmie Johnson won!

My First Born Survey

I did this already on my myspace page and then Chris put it on her blog so here ya go:

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Excited, happy tears
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Never
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 27
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? home test
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Mike and Christina
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes
9. DUE DATE? Jan 7, 2007
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? No
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Nothing for the first 7 months, I didn't want to eat. At the very end, chocolate
12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? extended family (sorry!)
13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? no, I was going to take what I was given and hope he was healthy
14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 20
15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes
16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew
17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? nope, just had to go to the doctor all of the time because of my diabetes
18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Northside Hospital (where I work and where I was born)
19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? probably 30 if you count induction then the c-section but it was easy
20. WHO DROVE YOU THE THE HOSPITAL? Mike
21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Mike
22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? c-section I didn't want
23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I had an epidural while induced then you have to get the good stuff for the c-section
24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?? 7 lbs even
25. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS?? nope
26. WHAT DAY WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ON? December 12, 2006
27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Evan Michael
28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 3 months today

OK mommies repost this as "MY FIRST BORN" :)

A busy start to March

Evan playing his piano in the crib

A very happy musician

Lounging around after his bath

This has been a busy week. I started back to work full time and I can't remember the last time I was this tired. Evan sleeps good, about 6-7 hours each night with the nightly wake up around 3 or 4 AM. He usually goes to sleep between 9 or 10 PM. It is only 20 or 30 minutes that it takes to feed him but it kills my sleep cycle. Mike is feeling it too.

We took the bassinet to my mom's house on Tuesday evening, so since then, Evan has been sleeping in his room, in his crib. I had a harder time letting go than he did but it is working out great so far.

Evan's baptism date is almost set. Right now, it looks like he will be baptised on Sunday, May 13 at 4:00 PM. That day is also Mother's Day but it was the only day that was offered to me so I took it. I already have confirmation from my mom and Evan's godparents, Tim and Sharon (our sponsor couple when our marriage was convalidated in the church) that the day will work. This means that Evan will be 5 months old when he's baptised so I probably have to exchange his christening gown/baptismal outfit for the 2nd time.

Things are starting to fall back into place (from before Evan was here with us) and I'm almost completely healed from my c-section wound. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday so here's hoping for the best. For now, it's off to bed. The pictures are from yesterday and today. Have a good weekend!

Blogging Delay

So far, this is a busy week, re-adjusting to working full time. I will post updates and things tomorrow evening. Hope you all are having a good week!

Over the last week

On Tuesday, Mike, Evan and I took a long road trip to Virginia. Evan hung in there pretty well, only needing us to stop about 3 times to stretch out. Here are pictures from our trip.

Evan stretching out Wednesday, the next morning after the road trip

Evan and his great grandmother, Ila. She held him most of the time we were there. Both her and Evan enjoyed it very much.

Evan and mommy before cake Thursday, Mike's 28th birthday. I took a vacation from looking like a real person.

Daddy, Evan, and the birthday cake that Grandma Ila surprised Daddy with. They share a similar expression in this picture.

More time with Grandma Ila after cake

Charlie the cat, telling us to pack our bags on Thursday evening, because he was tired of us invading his space.

Grandma gave our two cats a scratching present since Charlie loves his. As you can see, Aaron and Sidney took right to it.

On Saturday, we finally let Evan out of the suitcase. We didn't have room for his car seat after we packed all his stuff. Nice fit, don't ya think?

Saturday evening, we went to Christina's house for a birthday celebration for Daddy (3/1) and Uncle Charlie (Christina's brother 3/2). Daddy and Evan decided to get into Cole's toys and try out Evan's new Bumbo tray.

Evan tried to sing us a few tunes on Cole's Kid's Bop (at least I think that's what it's called). He had a little trouble with the microphone. He loved it though because the entire time, he was kicking and looking at the picture below.

That's Evan on TV! The Kid's Bop has a video camera type thing in it so the kiddies can watch themselves sing.

Cole, too cool to hold the guitar the right way.

Sporting the mohawk

After music time, the PS3 was broken out. Cole was all into the one player game he thought he was playing while Mike actually played the game behind him.

Today, Evan unwinds.

All in all, our short trip to Virigina was fun. It was quiet... We didn't have internet access and the cell phone service was patchy at times. We did get to see the town of Quinton where Grandma Ila lives, meet some of the people she goes to church with, and see Mechanicsville and Williamsburg. We made a quick trip back through Greenville on Friday evening to visit Mike's father and step-mom, Jackie, and came home. Mike missed our house, especially his bed since he only slept in it one night when he arrived home from Haiti, before we left again.

Our tax filing day was Saturday, and let me say that it's a good thing that Evan came in December instead of his due date in January. Unfortunately, Mike had to return to work today and I return full time back to work tomorrow. I finally have to adjust back to my old life with the addition of my almost 3 month old.