Liam is putting on a concert for us!

Boat Park!

We walked to the boat park this morning to play for a bit... Got some playing in before Evan woke up with crankers :)

New Haircut!

Should be cooler for the summer!

Brothers!

Two Months Old!

Evan is two months old already!  We were at the doctor on wednesday and here are his current stats!

Weight: 14 lbs, 2.5 ounces (87th %ile)

Height: 23.25 inches (63rd %ile)

Head: 39.9 cm (74th %ile)

Overall he is doing quite well.  Gaining weight and his reflux is under control for today.  His weight does mean he can get an increase in both meds if needed, but as of right now he doesn't seem to need it.  We discussed his allergies and the pediatrician would really like to see several weeks of time go by without any reactions before we try to add foods back in to my diet.  So, we are waiting until he is three months old before trying to reintroduce soy or hidden dairy.  I take a deep breath as I say this because by far the hardest thing about the past 6 weeks has been the allergies.  Maybe it is because we have done the reflux thing before and are just more comfortable with it... I don't know.

Here are the highlights of our two-month old Evan:

• Smiles, smiles, smiles... he loves to smile and we love to see it!  Usually you can get a smile out of him if his tummy if full, talking to him (agoo is a fav!), playing peek-a-boo, making funny lip noises and kisses to his cheek. 
• He loves watching everything... and I mean everything!  The quickest way to make him mad at you is to put him facing in on your shoulder!  He loves facing out and walking or facing out and watching things.  
• Evan loves his big brother.  He is always craning his neck to watch what Liam is doing and smiles when liam gives him kisses...even the slimy ones!
• Evan is a mover.  He is always kicking his legs and waving his arms.  Doesn't really sit still for long!
• Evan is a talker... oh my.  He is already carrying on conversations in his cooing language.  He is also a HUGE grunter when he is trying to fall asleep and during his sleep.  This was the biggest reason for moving him to his own room several weeks ago!
• He is sleeping in his 'rock and play', which allows him to be reclined rather than flat.  He sleeps there for a nap or two and the whole night.  Night sleeping on a good night includes a 5-6 hour stretch from feeding to feeding followed by a 3-4 hour stretch.  I will take as many good nights as I can get.  Most nights are pretty good, with a couple off nights thrown in every week where he is hard to get down, restless when down, and up for feedings every 2-3 hours.  Naps... well nothing really consistent at this time.  On an ideal day, he wakes up, feeds, plays and is going down for a nap about an hour later... this doesn't happen very consistently though.  Often times he falls asleep only to wake up a 20 minutes later... mad and upset.  We keep trying for a schedule, but honestly with a three year old... we are doing stuff all morning and I don't see that changing... so we go with the flow and change everyday!
• Evan likes to sit and play rather than lay.  He is really loving kicking in his bouncer and watching the elephant and zebra dance on his toy bar.  Liam picked out a new owl toy for him that he really likes.  He is still mesmerized by black and white patterns and faces!
• We are growing into size 2 diapers and filling out 0-3 clothes quite well.  
• Evan likes outside most days... it calms him!  
• He is a good car rider... sleeping or watching most of the time when he is in the car! 

Reading a new Dinosaur Train book!

Every Night is a Fluke

A friend of mine always tells me this... and it sums up my life to a 't' right now. Sunday night Evan slept from his 9:30 feeding until almost 4:30 am without a peep in between. I was on cloud nine!!! One feeding at night, up before Evan to get myself and Liam ready... Ate breakfast, fed Liam, got Evan's meds ready and actually got to talk to Liam! Great start to our morning yesterday...

Last night... Evan fed every 2 1/2 hours and was up needed to be held, rocked, pacied so many times I lost count. He was up for good at 7... I had to keep Jon at home longer to help get Liam ready... I threw on whatever clothes were closest (I know for sure thet weren't all clean), brushed my teeth while holding a paci in a screaming baby's mouth and haven't even gotten to kiss Liam good morning. We have to be out of the house in an hour for music, which means I won't be getting breakfast until lunch time.

So, truly my days are a fluke. How are things going? It depends on the moment... :)

Also, mistakenly ate soy this weekend, got the green mucous diaper last night... maybe that was the erratic sleeping? Who knows, but soy is not looking like it is coming back into my diet anytime soon... :/

Swing Set

A big thanks to Dave, Roxanne, Andrew, Mary, and Clancy for helping us out with the kids and assembling our new playground!  This would have taken us most the summer without your help.

Day 1: preassembly with Dave and Roxanne

Day 2: framing with Mary, Clancy, and Andrew. Here's the progress as of dinner time

A few more hours after dinner got us here:

By 4:00 on day 3, we were done!

And had a very happy 3 year old

First Family Movie Night :)

... And Evan passed out!

Growing!

Had to break out the finger nail clippers for Evan's nails tonight :)

Proud Mama!

I ran upstairs to use the bathroom (I know... Luxuries!) and Evan started crying. I hurried back downstairs to find Liam giving Evan a paci and playing the 'achoo' game... Love that boy!

Garden Storytime at the Library

We listened to some books and planted some flowers in the garden!

Bay beach "train ride"

Summer Soccer Class

We had out first soccer class last night (the first one was a washout from rain).  Liam was a bit hesitant at first, just watching the other kids do their warmups, but soon he was having fun!  I can't wait to see how he changes over this summer during soccer!

 Doing foot warmups (alternating toe touches on the ball)

 Playing "red, yellow, green, blue light"

 Getting his 'tail' for a fun game!

 "playing" the game... aka running around!

 Waiting in line to kick the ball

 Taking a big kick (note the tongue... that has mama written all over it!)

First roll-over!

No I didn't get video, but Evan did roll from his tummy to his back yesterday!  Mostly he was angry at me and didn't want to be lying on his tummy anymore, but it still counts!

First Big Boy Bath!

Unlike Liam's first big boy bath, Evan LOVED his!  Granted we stuck Liam in the water much sooner than we did Evan (just easier to do sponge baths on the counter!). Evan was as happy and content as could be, watching that big brother play next to him!  Liam was over the moon that his little brother could be in the tub with him.  The next bath he asked again... "Can Evan come in the bath with me... pleeeeaase?"

Some Evan Shots!

Great Ama and Great Papa

My grandparents were up from Arkansas to meet Evan.  We had a nice time when they visited, as we always do!

Opening Father's Day Presents!

Happy Father's Day!

We had all the grandparents over for Father's Day.  Jon wanted to make ribs... so we did!  I wanted a nice photo of the boys to frame for all the fathers... it wasn't easy, but we ended up with some good ones!  My favorite is below... Liam looking at Evan like... "what are you crying about?" :)

Thomas

Our little engineer enjoyed his day with Thomas.  We got to take a ride on Thomas and then explore all the other fun engines at the Train Museum in Green Bay!  Liam is still talking about Thomas and how slow he went and how his ticket got punched with a 't' and how he drove the big steam engines and how ... you can imagine the dialogue going on and on... :) 

 Waiting in line with his ticket!

Evan was a rock star... sleeping, eating and smiling the whole time!  We even made the three hour drive home without too much fussing!