Evan's Going to the Store, Doo Dah, Doo Dah ..........

Like father like son, Evan loves to go to the grocery store. It used to be the really nice store in town, Martin's, because they have the ride-in car grocery carts. You could put him down there, strap him in with a snack and a drink, and he was good to go. But oh no, now he discovered if we go to the a-little-less-than-nice Food Lion, they have miniature carts for the "Shoppers in Training".

I'm not going to lie, it is near impossible to push your own cart while he is off on his own with another, so I have to settle for following him in the little cart. Some notes:

- He wants me to put my purse in the cart
    (you can see where this is a problem when Matt takes him, where is your purse Daddy?)
- The cart is so small that once my purse is in, you can only fit one or two more things
- He is constantly stopping to look up at the advertisement posters hanging from the ceiling
- He also randomly stops in the middle of the aisle to dance to the music if he likes it

Here are some pics taken with Matt's phone, enjoy. :)

Evan's Birthday Party

Sorry I'm just posting pictures of his party now. Life has been busy for sure. We held the cookout on a beautiful sunny afternoon. They were many wonderful people who came, family and friends alike, and many children. I borrowed some more cozy coupes just for the occasion:

The toys were a big hit. As was the very yummy cake made by Sharnelle, there wasn't any left when the party was over.

Then, during all the kid's playing fun, Evan took a header in the driveway. Because his bangs are so long, I didn't notice for a few minutes that he had a huge scrape on his forehead. So between that and missing his nap, he actually passed out in my arms during the height of the party. Poor thing. You can see his boo boo here:

Fortunately, he woke up and recovered enough to open presents, eat cake, and play some more. Especially the piano. He looks like a little Schroeder.

A big thanks to all that attended. It was a wonderful time to share with family and friends. You can see the rest of the pictures here.

Until next year!

Braided Hair, scary slides, and elephants, oh my!

We managed to make it to the Maryland Renaissance Festival one time this year. Evan and I met up with family and friends there. It was a day of many first for him.

First ride on a pony (with Aunt Becca)........................

First ride on an elephant (with Aunt Jessie)........................

First ride on a scary slide (with Mommy)........................ 

For the record, that slide was WAY faster than I expected, and I'm pretty sure we caught air at least once.

I love the Renn Fest, and my favorite part believe it or not is not mac & cheese on a stick or fried cheese curds. It's the hair ladies, I love to get my hair done. Check out the hair that Becca and I had done......

You can see all of the pictures here.

Until next year..................

Photo Posts, a Trip to the Beach, Mammoth Waves, and Wonderful Friends

I'm going to try a new way to share photos. Since our lives are infinitely busy, I end up posting albums to our online Picasa account with tons of pictures, of which I have no time to caption, explain, etc. It's all there for those that have the time to peruse. This is clearly evident in our trip to Oregon, in which I posted 744 pictures and virtually no information about our wonderful trip. I'm hoping to get to that soon.

So my goal is to share a few photos here with a little blurb about what the happenings were, and a link to the massive photo posting will follow.

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We were invited to spend the Labor Day weekend with friends at their house in Bethany Beach, DE. Yea! So off we went, with way more stuff than 3 adults and a toddler need for 3 days. An important thing to remember for this trip is that Hurricane Earl was currently making his way up the coast as we were making the trek across the Bay Bridge.

After we arrived, we ate some dinner then headed down to the boardwalk in Rehoboth. A carnival appeared, (ironically with ticket prices for at least the little rides WAY less than we pay at home). Evan loves to ride, so with tickets in hand, off we went. When it was over, he kept asking for a popsicle. Well, there are tons of ice cream stands, but none really looked like they had popsicles. Ah, finally, we settled on something called the 'rocket' I think. What a mess........

We ended up having to buy him a new shirt before we started the trek home. He put in a valiant effort, but I don't think he even got to the blue part.

The next day we packed up and hit the beach. Now, I'm a water fan, not a sand fan. This means I prefer to go, swim, walk up and down the beach maybe, and get the heck out. I am always amazed at those that want to just lay on the sand for hours and hours. But I knew Evan would have fun playing in the water and the sand, and it was a beautiful day.

Remember the hurricane? I love to swim in the ocean, and am not afraid of going out beyond the breakers. Except this day, I couldn't get past them. I was just always in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Check it out:

Walter and I waiting for the wave:

 Clearly I appeared to have judged the timing wrong.......

 Do you see us? I don't...........

As you can see here I have admitted defeat. Amazing that I have kept my hat. I attempt another shot later in the afternoon, and get wrung out to dry.

All in all a wonderful day though. Evan loved playing in the sand.

The next day we hit the Pirate themed goofy golf, went swimming in the pool (I survived much better there), and packed up and went home. It was a wonderful weekend, and we are grateful to our friends for bringing us along.


You can see the rest of the pictures here.

Additional Picture

Meant to post this picture of Evan actually dressed up as Bam Bam last Halloween to go along with the last post.

Notice his woman on his back. We weren't actually able to get him to haul her around by her hair though.

Evan Look a Like

A friend of mine at work said Happy Birthday to my boy yesterday and also mentioned did I know that there were pictures of him all over the internet. This is the pic he sent me:

That just cracked me up!

Happy Birthday to our boy

Today marks two years since our little boy was plucked from my belly. It has been two years of excitement, joy, tears, quiet times, many loud times, hugs, kisses, and love. It is so great when he throws out "I love you" s all the time. When he says "I fart". When he carries around a butternut squash like it's a baby. When he puts on Aunt Jessie's high heels and takes off for the kitchen because that's where they make the most noise. He can be so sweet and then so bad too.

So to our Evan, we can't wait to see you grow up and be the man you will be but at the same time we want to keep you little and small and snugglie like you are.

We love you.

Morning conversations with Evan

Evan: Gross.
Me: What's gross?
(Evan sticks his finger up his nose.)
Me: Is the booger gross?
Evan: Booger! *giggles* (I don't think he ever said this word before and he thought it was really funny.)
Me: Are you a booger?
Evan: I no booger. I Evan.

Ah, the smell of foolishness

Sunday morning, and I'm on the computer. Matt's asleep on the couch. And Evan is eerily quiet. So I get up. I look around. And I smell something powdery fresh. And then I realize. I have reached my first moment as a parent where I grab the camera instead of the dish towel.

Ah, who doesn't love the little feet prints?

p.s. Becky don't think I wasn't thinking of Holly this morning. I'm sure it's the not the last time this will happen. :)

1-800-WHATS-THE-NUMBER

For decades and decades, businesses have advertised their phone numbers with names.

1-800-CALL-ATT

1-877-KARS-4-KIDS 

(with the catchy little jingle I hear on the radio)

1-800-PET-MEDS 

1-800-CALL-ADT

and on the back of my check card

1-800-NASAFCU

Just the other day I was helping Peggy take care of some bills left over from her old house, and we needed to get a hold of Verizon. I picked up the house phone and started to dial. She laughed, 'What are you doing?' 'I'm dialing 1-800-Verizon of course'. She thought I was joking. Nope, ding ding, you have reach Verizon how can we direct your call (so that you will never actually talk to someone?). Sometimes the easiest solution is the solution.

The kicker is, if they don't also spell out the actual number, you can only dial it on a land line phone (I know, so 1990's right?). Because, unless you have a photographic memory, the letters don't correspond at all on your cell phone. I'm looking at two separate cell phones right now, and the letter 'G' is the #5 on one phone, and doesn't even match up with a number at all on the other. What I'm wondering is if anyone noticed besides me.

I know some will say it's a moot point, because if you are dialing from your cell phone you don't need to worry about long distance vs. local number, because it doesn't cost anymore. And I like talking on my land line phone to people for bills stuff, cause you know you are going to be on there forever so holding up the little phone isn't going to cut it really.

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On another phone note, my less than 2 year old son is a fan of iCarly. He tried to call her on his phone the other day. :-P

Let's go to the Carnival!

About a month ago we decided to take Evan to the local carnival. I figured he would like the music and lights and maybe some yummy carnival food too. I pretty much knew he was too small to actually ride anything but no matter. I did consider that I would like to go on the Ferris Wheel, but Matt is not much of a fan of heights (much less rickety heights) and the thought of being up in the air and having Evan decide he wants out scared me. I needed more than just me.

So we arrived, and saw the cutest baby in a cowboy hat ever (we live out in the country if you can't tell). Just adorable.

So I bought tickets to get on the carousel, at least I could go on with him. And then we saw the kid's train. And I wondered if he could do it by himself. We gave it a shot, and put him in the first car so that he would have a steering wheel, and there was another kid with him. To our surprise, he loved it!!

After that, all bets were off. Peggy ran off an bought a book of 20 tickets (should have gotten the bracelet in the first place I guess) and we were off to find rides he could get on. Note he doesn't look very happy in any of them, but he was concentrating on driving and did not want to get off of any.

Evan wanted to drive as many cars as possible

In the end it was a wonderful night. And we donated money to a local fire department that helps to keep our community safe. As we packed up in the car, complete with stuffed animals won and balloons received, there was just a little bit of crying. He did not want to leave for sure. :)

My son can sing........

My son now knows the entire song of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I sing this often when I just can't think of anything else (though sometimes I slip into the extra lines from Lisa Loeb's version (I could only find someone's dance recital with it)). We listen to that song on her "Catch the Moon" CD that Aunt Becca gave us, he loves it. Here's the title song video:



Anyways, here's how Evan sings it (I haven't been able to catch it on video yet)

twinkle star
i wonder wha da are
up above the word so high
wike a diamond in da sky

*this video post inspired by CityMouse*

Memorial Day 2010

My son on Memorial Day. Every bite of corn was followed by "Mmmmmm!".

Thank you to all of those who have sacrificed and lost (and won) so that Matt and I can raise our family in a safe haven. We are eternally grateful.

My own little pieces of randomness

Thanks to citymouse, I was inspired to add my own pieces of randomness.

The wedding weekend was very fun but tiring. I laid in bed with Evan this morning, neither of us wanting to get up. He had his head on my chest, and while I rubbed his back, he rubbed my belly. What a wonderful way to start the morning.

Evan has a very cool tie shirt that my friend Jen made him. Complete with a hockey themed tie of course. Check it out, she makes them to order if you think your child is just dying to have one.

 The other day Evan wanted to go outside on his tricycle. Complete with Lightning McQueen helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Those are thanks to cousin Griff who passed them down, with healthy scrapes in them already. Glad to know they are broken in. Evan enjoys putting all the pads on, but it doesn't usually last very long.

That's all for now, I'm getting frustrated with this blogger cause I can't get everything to sit where I want it to. Drat.

My Review of NERD FLASHCARDS

Originally submitted at UncommonGoods

Geek up the nursery with artist Tiffany Ard's hilarious and brilliant flashcards for your little nerd-to-be. The complete set of 26 alphabet cards teaches young scientists their ABCs. A is for Atom! H is for Hydrogen bonding! While this set of 12 illustrated number cards will help your baby c...

NERD FLASHCARDS

Cute and Dorky (plus some learning too)

By Leebah from Sykesville, MD on 5/17/2010

 

5out of 5

Gift: No

Pros: Easy To Use, Durable, Colorful

Best Uses: Every Day Use, Learning

Describe Yourself: Quality Oriented

Primary use: Personal

Really neat! We as parents will learn from them too. A must for any child with engineer parents. :)

(legalese)

Movie Reviews by a Mom

(Note, down another 2 pounds today, almost back to my pre-weekend weight).

I forgot to include this link yesterday in my talk about movies. I can't remember how I stumbled upon it, might have heard her on the radio. But her website is great, she reviews movies not for their technical grades, but how the movie fits as pertains to families. Some G rated movies don't have any good morals to tell at all, etc. She gives letter grades to movies, and will note if there is cursing, nudity, etc. which if you haven't seen a movie you may not know. And may not want to see movies twice.

Media Mom by Nell Minow

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Quick picture from the aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo. We were in a walk through tunnel. One of my favorites.

Updates and Cups and Boobies and Violence

I mean, how can this title not make everyone want to read this? :)

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Diet updated: I'm starting week three. My total weight loss so far:

*For the first 2 weeks, between 16 and 19 pounds.
*Add one weekend trip to St. Michaels and the wine fest (Becca's Bach thing), plus 5.5 pounds.
*Subtract another 2 pounds this morning, back on the diet, and purging all of the salt my body held onto from the weekend.

All in all, not too bad. I'm still following the Medifast recommendations. It really is making me realize the things I eat. Even when I was not on the diet this weekend, I actively skipped a lot of empty calorie things (some rolls, etc) because they didn't look that great. And why waste calories after all the work unless it was something I would really enjoy?

So I'm down a total of about 15 pounds and I'm happy with that. I'm going to St. Mary's this weekend so I'll be able to try on my dress again and make sure it still fits. :) It was tight before, so this should be good.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A proud family moment:



Evan's first visit with the Stanley Cup that the players hoist above their heads.

............

Also, since I was gone for two full days this weekend, I picked that time to finally wean Evan. Once and for all. Phew. I miss it already, I'm not lying. But I really wanted to get this taken care of before the wedding. Needless to say we have had some rough mornings. Evan goes to sleep like an angel now (I'll post about that another time) but still wakes up early almost every day. This is exacerbated by the fact that the other adults in the house start getting up and getting ready for their day at 4 am.

So now, he wakes up, and he knows he's not very happy, but he can't figure out why. It usually takes a while before he starts going "Bah Bah's??" and then he cries. Like everything else with young toddlers, this too shall pass in a few days. But it already has me thinking about the next one. Even though our life is too busy to breathe sometimes, I can't wait for another newborn. I mean, who else will rub my belly with their super-soft teeny weeny hand? One of the great benefits of nursing for sure.

............

Evan at Easter, hunting plastic eggs with Catherine, they all had cherry tomatoes inside. He loved it.



............

Now for the talk about boobies and violence. (Disclosure: My child is less than 2 so I don't know how I will feel as he gets older). I seem to run into this more and more, people have no problem letting their kids watch semi/violent movies at what seems like a younger age. And maybe for some kids it's no big deal. I know even stuff on regular tv really bothered me as a kid. But if said shows/movies have any mention of sex or nakedness it's a no no. If it shows boobies? Forget it. I'm not talking about showing people doing it or anything. It just seems to me that this is strange. I mean, murder is illegal, sex is not. The naked body is not inappropriate. Not sure if I explained this very well, but I gave it a shot. I'm sure I'll revisit the issue as our boy gets older. Maybe then I will see it from a different perspective.

Malarkey, Medifast, and me

I've started a diet. I know, I know, that word usually makes the people I live with run screaming for the hills. I tend to get a *little* grumpy when deprived of the things I love. I mean, I love food. Not because I get depressed, don't know what else to do, or all of those other stupid things they show on TV. I love it. Steak is yummy. Lobster, mmmm. Pasta, please I could live on mac n cheese for the rest of my life.

But there are many reasons I need to lose weight. And I feel if I throw them out there it will help motivate me more.

- Better health all around
- I want to have another baby and I would have a better chance of doing it au naturale if I am in better shape
- I just don't look hot in a bikini right now. You're shocked right?
- Want to start riding horses again, and right now it's just not fair to those poor things
- Play better ice hockey. (okay I know it's possible I'm just as crappy with a skinnier body but I should at least have better stamina)
- Becca's wedding is in a month, and I'd rather not be the heaviest I've ever been in a bazillion pictures

So I started on Medifast Sunday. I figured something that doctors support and helped Coach Freidgen (Maryland Football gigantor) lose 100 pounds was worth a shot. The first 3 days were MISERABLE as my body transferred from burning all the carbs I usually eat to burning fat. I faltered the second day, we went to softball and the hot dogs and nachos were too much. But I threw half the nachos away, so that's a bonus.

So I'm still going (day 6 already). I'm going to say my starting weight is X. I didn't weight myself until Tuesday but I figure I couldn't really have lost much since Sunday (uh nacho disaster?) As of last night, I was down 10 pounds. But I'll give that a +/- 3 pounds cause everyone's weight fluctuates a bunch during the day.

But oh cheese and crackers I do miss you so................

E-man and his Vacuum

We already know the boy likes to clean. Brooms, mops, swiffers, now he's into washing dishes with you, etc. But he especially loves the vacuum...

(Back story: Evan was born on a Tuesday morning. That evening I sent Matt out shopping at Kohl's because I had a 30% off coupon. We needed a new vacuum and the coupon expired that day. I mean, we saved like $80! His mom called to see how the new baby was, and he says "Fine I guess, I'm in line to buy a vacuum". So this makes me think hard about what household thing we should buy on the day our next child is born. It seems to make a large impact.)

...and our vacuum is big and heavy and he's always trying to pull it down on his head. So we finally bought the miniature one. It's a Dirt Devil, makes noise, has the foot release, a front light, and actually sucks up some dirt too. He played with it the entire first day. Here we are vacuuming together.