Picture time!

I was desperate for good Baptism pictures since our Target pics last week didn't go how I wanted them to. We went to Babies R Us and it was a success. It was definitely more money than Target but it was worth it this time.

Pope Evan

Showing off the gown

Yummy cereal

Sorry for the delay in posting! As promised, here are our adventures in cereal.

Our first attempt, last week.

Since then!

Have a good weekend!

*** P.S. Becky: Why can't people leave comments anymore!?! Your firetruck pics are great. The firetrucks just lend themselves to pictures. Great minds think alike! ***

Visiting Daddy

Evan checking out the firetruck... not too crazy about it
Sitting in the drivers seat

Since he didn't feel well, we figured he might be happier in the ambulance

A close up of Mr. Unhappy

On Saturday, Mike called and invited Evan and me down to Mercer University. They were having a children's safety fair called Pinwheels for Prevention. It wasn't very well attended, because they didn't advertise, but it gave us a few family hours. Evan scored a free book and I bought him another one since I am trying to start reading to him.

You'll notice in all of the above pictures that he doesn't look too happy. He went for his 4 month appointment on Friday and got his shots. He is up to 16 lbs and 25 3/4 inches. In clothing terms, he has plenty of room if he wants to gain weight but he's tall. It looks like we could be out of the 3-6 month size in another month (if we are lucky enough to make it that long). Evan is still healthy and well overall and we can start cereal if we want to. We've given it to him a couple of times with mixed results so we are going to wait it out some.

Sorry for the delay in posting. Same ole stuff is going on. I'll try to post tomorrow or Wednesday with jumperoo or cereal pics.

4 months and beyond

Evan turned 4 months old on Thursday the 12th. He's enjoying his toys and he is increasing his skills, adding rolling over. He definitely has no side effects from the car accident, last week. I have placed him on his tummy, back, sitting, etc as many times as I possibly can and he doesn't seem to mind any of it.

Evan and I spent today sleeping, eating, and playing inside. I slept as much as he did and I think I'm caught up for at least the next few days. We didn't dare go outside in the wind and cold. I hope everyone stays warm and happy!

From Good to Worse

Things were looking up a little towards the end of last week. Friday changed that and I am now fully stressed each time I think about work. There's no explaining it so I'll leave it at that.

We didn't do much of anything for Easter, except make a quick trip to Wal-Mart. (Be warned, never go to Wal-Mart on a day that few other places are open!)

This was Thursday evening. Evan had just spit up and wasn't giving us a smile for anything!

And now for the worse part.....

This is the new body work I had done on my car today. At around 5:20 PM this afternoon, Evan and I were on our way home. I had just picked him up from my mom's house. I was in the right turn lane in front of Kroger (1 minute from my house) and I slammed into a guy turning left into Kroger. I slammed on the brakes, turned the wheel, but we still hit. I should have known something like this was coming since my bumper was tapped on I-85 a month and a half ago with no damage.

Good news is that Evan is perfect. He giggled and smiled after I opened the car door to check on him. I was in sheer panic and emotionally strung out. I didn't even talk to the guy. Good ole Gwinnett County got there pretty quick (15 min), gave the guy an improper left turn ticket, and told me to get the report in a few days. My poor car is driveable but parts keep falling out of the head light assembly when I drive. Unfortunately, I had to run to Target after all of this to get a prescription or I would have stayed home.

I'm sore, but that doesn't matter as long as Evan continues to be healthy and unharmed. My only problem is that I don't like driving around a gimpy car. It doesn't look cool! I hope you all had a Happy Easter and that you are doing good. If you can spare a prayer, help me pray that work gets better and that no more cars turn in front of me!

From Bad to Good

This morning started out rough! Evan woke me up around 2:37 AM. As I was halfway down the hall, I heard the house fall to a hush. The power went out! I also heard a ton of noise outside and thought a tree was going to fall, any minute. After Evan ate a little, we settled back into bed. I woke up late and called Mike to come home and not wait on me at the station (since the nights after he works, I usually meet him at the fire station to give him Evan). About 5 minutes after Mike walked in the door, power was restored. Evan also woke up and smiled for the camera.

First, he found his thumb, finally!

Then it was all smiles and giggles

We also got our brand new fridge today! I'm excited. This is what Evan did while the delivery people were moving about.

He is starting to spend more time playing with his toys so I loaded his bouncer down. He had a great time bouncing and discovering the colors and textures of his toys. All in all, it turned out to be a pretty good day. I'm definitely enjoying the little things like the smiles and discovery! I can't wait for the rest of the ride.

By the way... thanks to everyone who has left me comments for the ego boost! You all make me feel so loved!

The true meaning of Evan's Life

On Tuesday evenings, I watch American Idol before bedtime. As soon as someone starts singing, I get really quiet.

I frequently see my Lola who I love bunches. She takes care of me twice a week and still comes to visit me at home. Sometimes the visits are right after I leave her house.

On days with Daddy, we take naps together. I sleep in my bouncy chair while Daddy sleeps on the couch.

This is my Easter "bucket." Aunt Christina ordered one for me and one for Cole. I think the Easter Bunny is going to bring me some baby food (for when I'm ready at the end of the month), Mommy some Peeps, and Daddy some Cadbury Cream Eggs and a chocolate bunny.

Bye! Thanks for visiting my page today. Mommy and I will see you back here soon!

Where I've been

Sorry I haven't posted in a week. I have been extremely tired as work has been very busy and stressful. I have also been helping with my high school reunion planning and trying to recruit new members for the wedding guild at church, and hopefully handing off my wedding guild coordinator duties in the near future. When I have arrived home every day from work, I've spent time with Evan and Mike, and not much time on the computer. I haven't really read anyone else's blogs either, but will try and catch up tomorrow. I will try and post something new tomorrow too. I hope everyone is good!

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!