a quick update

posted by mommy

we've had a few new developments with everett in the last week or so. he took his first steps...only a couple and doesn't do it often, but walking is just around the corner! and although he may not be quite ready to fully walk, he is a big climber. he can already climb by himself all the way up the bunk bed ladder to the top. the other day, i was making breakfast and the boys were in the playroom. owen was up on the exercise ball at the office desk listening to music and watching a slide show of pictures. suddenly, i heard owen yell, "everett, no, you can't get up here. everett, no. mommy, everett, no, get everett. mommy!!!" i came running in, assuming ev was simply trying to climb up on the ball, but instead was horrified to see my little one crawling on top of the desk! he had quickly figured out he could get on one of the little kid chairs, up onto the kid's table, and then onto the desk. oh dear!

he also is now clearly saying mama (and knows what he's saying!) and nana (banana, which he has every morning). he also in the last couple days has started saying dada more, which daddy loves. everett is also doing a few signs regularly - more, all done, and let's pray (clasps his hands together).

he also loves giving kisses...but we get all wet as he leaves his mouth wide open still! no new teeth yet, but based on some very fussy days in the last couple weeks and a few too many very rough nights (we knew his sleeping through the night was too good to last!), we expect one or more any day now.

riding my strider bike

posted by owen

after much practice and encouragement, i've finally become a regular strider rider. this was me then and this is me now. i'm still working on my balancing. also, notice my cool new glasses? mommy and daddy discovered that i need glasses so they got me a cool frame (i got to pick the color) with lenses that turn into sunglasses when i'm outside. now i'm riding in style.

everett's 1-year update

posted by mommy

1. food - ev's eating of regular food over the past month has definitely increased. suddenly, spoons aren't so bad (depending on what's on the other end!), but variety is still the name of the game (never too much of any one thing). he has started to cut back on nursing in favor of climbing, crawling, playing, dancing, etc! we are down to 3 to 4 times during the day (more if I spend a lot of time down on the floor with him), and sometimes once a night.
2. growth - ev is still mainly lengthening out and starting to trim down a bit, especially since his mobility has really increased with him crawling on hands and knees.
3. development - this past month brought with it a number of new developments. ev began crawling on hands and knees instead of just pulling himself along. he also does a lot more supported walking (using his lion, the cart, dining table chairs, whatever!). another tooth popped through, one of the bottom lateral incisors. we are still waiting for the other one to break (which based on his recent fussiness should be coming any day now!). ev also began doing a few signs. one of our favorites is "pray" - he actually puts his hands together when we say "let's pray" (never even taught him that one, he just sees us do it with owen many times a day)!! he also sort of does "all done" and "more". still no real words yet except for an occasional "ma ma".
4. sleeping - after the last update, ev settled into waking mainly once each night to quickly nurse and then going right back to sleep. however, in the last week, he has slept all night four nights straight and then woke once last night. so he's definitely making some changes in his sleeping! now if only i could get to bed early and begin to catch up on my lack of sleep over the last year!
5. overall demeanor - after tooth 7 cut through, ev settled back down and became more fun again! he is also showing us he is very curious and becoming much more determined. He recently figured out how to climb onto our ottoman coffee table and the small kids table we have in the kitchen...oh dear! he is of course still a mama's boy and wants to be held, loved, cuddled, nursed by me whenever i'm around.
6. favorite things - something ev really loves to do is be crazy with his brother on o's big boy bed. they both get on there and roll around, bury their heads in pillows, laugh, and play together. it's hilarious to watch! he has also become quite the lover of music - loves playing with all his new instruments as well as dancing to any type of music he hears (even if it's just his brother singing his crazy songs!). some of ev's other recent favs include sticking his tongue out, making spit bubbles, yelling, and climbing.

happy 9-year anniversary!

posted by daddy

a bit late, but on august 28th, kelly and i celebrated 9-years of marriage. i found some pictures of that day that our photographers gave to us in the form of a music dvd, but had trouble getting it to play. so i had to remake it with the photos that were on our cd. what a wonderful day. we were so young with our entire future ahead of us. here we are 9-years later with wonderful kiddos and a life that is truly blessed. thank you God for our wonderful lives. i am married to the most beautiful woman i have ever met and i'm lucky to get to spend the rest of my life with her and our amazing kiddos.