December

The past month and a half has been a whirlwind. Dad is still working full time and has had to work saturdays as well. Hunting when he can... Mom went from 64 to 84 hours per pay at work, and got her first grey hair. The boys are trying to be good for Santa while adjusting to these changes.... Evan still only has three teeth, but has bilateral ear infections, still coughing and runny nose, waiting on those teeth. He weighs 21 pounds 15 ounces and loves to try to eat just about anything. He did Start WalKinG the beginning of December! Nolan is looking forward to Christmas and had a great third lightning macqueen birthday party at the cocokey water park. We enjoyed spending time with the family that came and thanks for all the food and presents. Thanks to Kimm for a great cake! Nolan has a runny nose and never ending cough as well. Hopefully it will be gone by spring:) We had a great thanksgiving, enjoyed Kira and Joey's first birthday parties, went to cut down christmas tree, and to the fantasy of lights where Nolan sat on mommys lap for the ride through the lights. We hope to see santa this week and look forward to Christmas and Evans First Birthday!

Last of the October

It is now November third and Evan is ten months old. Planning Nolans third birthday party for December and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. After the first busy weekend in October the fun continued with Aidans soccer games, Grandma Joni's birthday, Aunt Meg's Show, The pumpkin show, Grandpa John and Grandma Marlenes visit, trick or treat, trunk or treat at vineyard church, one week of poop and puke, daddys birthday and celebrating Evans day today at the zoo for short bit enjoying the sunshine. Evan weighs 19 pounds 11 oz and is 28 inches long. He has had a rough two weeks of teething and tummy ache but was really cheezing today to show off his new top tooth. I think it may still even be right under his gum. Mommy started back on 12 hour shifts at work. Daddy is still working, but took three days of vacation this week to hunt. Even though he shot his buck last weekend at the Burgers. Evan was a puppy for halloween and Nolan was a ghost with a Thomas train bucket as he wanted to be for the trunk or treat, but we knew it would last long for trick or treat so we went and got Thomas the Train instead!One of the cutest things Nolan said this month: We went to an apple orchard to try to get apples and we needed three dollars, cash only, and daddy and mommy were talking about it in the car how to come up with three dollars and Nolan quietly says in the back seat, "you can use my money in my piggy bank."

What an October!!

Monday the third, our family went bowling at Delaware Lanes. Only lasted eight rounds, but it was fun to watch Nolan's excitement to roll a ball so slow down a lane that the pins were cleared by the time it got there! (not every time, but almost) Wednesday we baked ghost cookies and decorated them. Friday the seventh, we went North to Toledo to attend Amy, Emma's cousins, wedding. We had a good time at the ring ceremony and reception. It was good for Nolan to be able to Dance at his first reception! He had a ton of fun with all of the family that was there. After waking Saturday morning Emma had the boys in the car and on the way to Leeds Farm. Wow, how exhausting, for the boys and mommy. We went down slides, played in the straw barn, rode the banana bus, played in the corn bins, ate kettle corn and lunch in a barn loft, went down more slides, Nolan rode a mini zipline, fed goats, and saw baby pigs, baby goats, and donkeys. What an awesome time! It is a memory mom will cherish forever! Especially going down the tunnel slide, Mom holding Nolan holding Evan, and coming out at the bottom and all the bystanders laughing as we slid into the dirt! :)

September 2011- Nolan Two & Evan Nine Months

This past month Derrick and I celebrated our fourth anniversary and went to West Palm Beach to visit Jenna and Bill. We had a wonderful, exhausting trip, and missed the boys so much. Evan is so big that it was weird when we first saw him after arriving home, he almost looked different than when we left. He still only has two teeth, and he is pretty happy all the time. He is in some 12 month clothes, and is getting close to twenty pounds. He sleeps through some nights now, which is awesome! I almost feel guilty sleeping at night, it's been so long!! Some of Evans nicknames are baby gunch, or Evan stinker sunch (nolans!) or just Ev:) He has developed a personality over the past month that is cute, but I think we may be in trouble. He is much more daring than Nolan ever was. He loves to climb the stairs, but unfortunately has had a couple of bad falls. He also enjoys climbing to standing on everything, from people, to stools, tables... but he is learning to gracefully fall from those stances. He is eating puffs, baby cookies, and lots of third baby foods. And now, some table foods. He still really enjoys those bottles too, and will hold his own if laying down. He is quite the mover when it comes to diaper changes. You're lucky if you get the dirty one off, let alone the clean one on. He loves the maracas, cars, things in his mouth, and his brother. Nolan has not been very good since we have been home from our little vacation, but hopefully that will turn around soon. The good news is, he is still alive ;) and potty trained except for night time!!! We have been going to storytime every tuesday and church when mom is off work and home on weekends. Evan actually had his first sunday in the nursery. (play room) We had our first trip to a pumpkin patch at grandma and grandpa Burgers. Other than all the fun things we have been doing trying to enjoy every aspect of the ages the boys are at and realizing this all only happens once, make the best of it. I think we are doing a pretty good job ;) Nolan did go to the mall to play the other night and feel and busted his upper lip. It had a connection in which the dr. said he would fall and break it some day, and he sure did. He is doing well now of course, but was a little traumatic with a bloody mouth. I am so proud he is wearing underwear. Evan also started stepping from the table to the couch, walking is just around the corner. I also think his top left tooth is about to break through. Looking forward to an October full of fun!! "it's that time of year" as Nolan says when he sees any type of ghost or pumpkin!

Eight Months

Evan is eight months and I can't believe how much he has changed in one month. He looks more like his mommy and he is on the move. He crawls quickly to where he wants and he is pulling himself to his knees and even started pulling himself to standing today. He still only has two front bottom teeth, but you can tell there are more that are bothering him. He is happier this month so far than last, sure the teeth had something to do with that. Still up about twice a night and eating five bottles a day and two four ounce containers of food for lunch and dinner. He loves his fruity oatmeal breakfasts as well. The new sitter, Patty, is going very well. There are lots of other children there, and Nolan likes that. Nolan is growing and changing as well, for the better. It seems like although he still spends some time in time out, the past month has been better with that! He is doing awesome with potty training, sometimes wet after nap time, and sometimes when he wakes in morning. He does still have to sit backwards though... ;) He is becoming more and more intelligent and inquisitive about things and I love the questions he asks and the things that he says, well most things. He is pretending very well! Nolan and Evan have been very interactive now that Evan is on the move and they love eachother very much. Even Patty said the other day when I picked them up that she had never seen a brother love his brother so much. :) Anxious to see how big Evan really is next month at his nine month appt, but until then we will be continuing to try sippy cup (which he takes) and finger foods (which he likes when i feed them to him:) Other than Eating and Napping we have been to the zoo a couple times the past month, and to numerous parks to play. Trying to enjoy every last bit of this summer, so far I think we are doing good, living every moment to the fullest! Wish it could last forever!

Evan seven months, Nolan close to three

The past weekend has been exciting for Evan. He got his first tooth today, bottom right. He started crawling yesterday, although he is starting slow, I am sure within no time he will be everywhere. He just starting going to a sitting positioning from the crawling position last week and now is crawling! He also started practicing with a sippy cup. He is taking drinks from it, but we are still working on holding it and tipping it back. He is starting to try to want to talk. He definitely knows dadadada, among others. He knows what it mean to ask if he is hungry or if he wants a bottle. He is getting so big. I cant believe how fast it is going. Nolan is doing well. He is still two, and is just starting to ask what and why about lots of things. I love it right now because his imagination and use of words is amazing. He is potty training! We have a sticker chart and he is doing pretty well telling us when he has to go. Although its strange he will only go facing backwards sitting on toilet. Whatever works!! We have had a very busy month, going to Myrtle Beach(Nolan swam with arm floaties for first time by himself), Knox(Evans first fair) and Hartford County fairs, Nolan swimming at Trent and Brandi's, and we started a new sitter here in Sunbury. Her name is Patty and last week went very well. Nolan is testing his boundaries with other people, for the first time, but I think it is normal for his age. Thanks to Aunt Kenzie for watching boys in July! We had a wonderful birthday celebration yesterday for Meg and my birthday. It was nice to hang out with everyone(Mom, Meg, Kriss) and of course the boys too...It's taking me so long to update this that Evan now has both front teeth, one day apart from getting them both in, and Nolan completed his potty training sticker chart and bought a lightening car that changes color in water! Nolan received a package in the mail yesterday from Grandma Nina for potty training and it was full of lightening car things, and he just kept saying " I just can't believe it!" I have never seen him so genuinely excited! :)

Evan six month visit

Evan weighs 17 pounds 9 ounces, almost two pounds more than Nolan at six months. He is not quite as long as Nolan was, at 26.25 inches. Now in size three diapers! He slept throught the night last night!!!!!!! :) Nolan went to the movie theatre for the first time with mommy and daddy to see cars 2. He was intrigued by the dark, loud atmosphere, but was very good and enjoyed his popcorn and sprite, and of course lightening McQueen! Thanks to Aunt Kenzie for watching Evan for a couple hours!

Nolan two and half Evan six months!

Wow how time is flying by...I cant remember yesterday things have been so busy! Evan is eating solid foods three times a day and still taking five bottles a day. He is sleeping better, going to bed by 930 and waking by 330 or 4, sometimes in between:) He does take one good nap usually in afternoon and cat naps in morning! He hasnt been for his six month visit yet, but he is about 16 pounds and sitting up for a minute or two on his own. He likes to play on the floor and roll around both ways, scoots backwards, turns in circles, and gets up on all fours and rocks like he wants to crawl but hasnt figured it out yet! He is grasping toys with both hands and very interested in Nolan and what he is doing. Nolan thinks he is Evans boss, but loves him and wants to give him attn and play with him from time to time. He often asks if i can sit evan on the couch to watch a movie with him. Nolan has been going to sleep around 10 (too late) and getting up early, taking long naps, and being two. We went to Pats pool monday for a swim, evans first time in pool, and nolans first time floating on ring by himself. We went to the zoo Tuesday and it was so hot it was nice because we had the entire zoo to ourselves. (record low attendance:) We had lunch with the gorillas and watched the polar bear climb on the highest rock and jump into the pool of water! Nolan and Evan also had their first clippers baseball game this month! the fourth of july was a hit too, we went back home for the weekend, and nolan wasnt scared of the fireworks we watched at the boones! It was quite a show and he and evan both did well. Nolan is really into lightening cars, making mud puddles, playing in the hose, making "traps" out of bedding and stuffed animals, performing for his audience of stuffed animals, and becoming more and more a little boy and not a toddler! He made his first pizza last night all by himself and loved it! We are all looking forward to the beach in two weeks!!!!!! :) Alum creek beach has been fun, but just something different about the ocean;)

Evan five months Nolan almost two and half

The past few weeks have gone so fast. Evan has been trying cereal, with little success. I am weaning him to formula(alimentum) this month as well. I think we will be trying baby food real soon. No information on height and weight, but both boys are growing. Evans eyes are definately changing color, almost look hazel, we'll see if they make it to brown! He still hasnt been sleeping more than one, two or three hour stretch. He is so active, trying to sit up, playing with all kinds of toys, rolling around, trying to scoot, and putting everything in his mouth, including his most favorite thing, his toes! Happy Happy baby during the day! Nolan had croup last week and spent his fair share at the doctor and urgent care. He was given oral steroid to help clear it up. He is doing much better, only sporatic fevers and slowly getting back to himself. He is still taking a good nap during the day on a regular basis. Not potty trained yet! We have been staying busy, going to zoo, alum creek beach, chuck e cheese, walks in neighborhood, etc... Nolan loves his brother, everytime we get in the car and Evan isnt in it yet, he asks if he can come with us. He also asks me to move him or put him down where he can play with him. We are looking forward to Kenzie watching the boys some this summer to help us out until we start daycare in the fall. Sarah (current sitter) was having trouble getting daughter to kindergarden so we both agreed it was time for daycare. Work has been busy for both mommy and daddy.

Boys

Evan is four and half months and doing great! Nolan is almost two and a half and doing great also. Mommy and Daddy took a trip away for the weekend to New York (up state) to see Jake's girlfriend Meg in a theatre performance, Merrily we roll along. It was wonderful!!! Thanks to the Palmers for taking the boys for the weekend. They both did well. Well, Evan didnt sleep, but at least he is being consistent. Still only get a three to three and half hour stretch if lucky. Dr. says nothing is wrong, to let him cry, but tried for twenty five minutes twice and it is unbareable. Especially when you work the next day and know if you feed him or put him in your bed that you can sleep for a little bit. (or at least not have to keep going in there) He did have some formula while we were gone, but it still getting some breastmilk. He is such a happy boy, talking, smiling, rolling all over the floor both ways, laughing if you tickle him or talk a certain way. We also got out his exersaucer and he loves to be in that. He most recently discovered his feet and toes! He is constantly chewing on his hands, fingers...teething, drooling... At his four month appt he weighed 14.6. He still wont take cereal, tried again today, but we'll keep trying! Nolan had a birthday party today at world of bounce for Taryn. He had a great time. We from there went to see Tiffany and her latest addition, Clair. We also saw Berkley, Evans other girlfriend, at the birthday party. There have been a couple of nice days the past few weeks, amongst the flooding in which Nolan and Mommy planted the garden at the property, while daddy planted some corn and rode around on the tractor. (tilling of course)...