I'm 4 months today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE TIME IS FLYING. I can't believe our baby boy is four months already. With the return of work arriving (June 11th), I'm sad to think that my not so little guy is growing up all to fast. We go to the doctor for his well-baby check on June 5th, so we'll see how big Evan really is, but the scale at home says 15.9 pounds. He is giggling and talking like crazy. Lots a drooling and chewing on his hands, we change bibs a lot throughout the day. Watch out because he likes to spit up frequently, and I'm blessed with the smell of sour milk radiating off my clothing all day long. The joys of motherhood. He is out of the pack-in-play and sleeping in his crib, which doesn't provide any additional sleep for me, but I won't go backwards in that department. I'm just hoping that one day, hopefully sooner that later, he will decide to go back to his 6-8 hour sleeping stretches instead of blessing his mother with his cuteness every 3-4 hours. We are definitely sure that Evan is learning lots because he is seeing a lot of the world due to his greatest hobby, WALKING, WALKING, WALKING. He has a mission which doesn't involve sitting, swinging, bouncing, or resting. He is a boy ready to move, move, move, which of course we provide. I weigh: 14 pds 13oz. & 26 inches tall.

Enchanted Forest!!!

After much contemplation, we decided to go camping last minute with the Vetters' for Memorial Day. Due to being a popular camping weekend, Mindy found a KOA in Salem available for us to go to. After lots of comments and hesitation from me, we decided it would be fun. We could enjoy being outside as well as we could take the kiddos to the Enchanted Forest, which the Vetter boys loved so much. I have to say that the Salem KOA was surprisingly enjoyable. Not as great as the pond, which we missed so much, but are eagerly looking forward to camping there for the 4th of July, but it was still nice. The weather was great, the pool was warm, and the Enchanted Forest provided hours of great entertainment. Evan did wonderful on his first camping adventure. Thanks to Mindy and Doug who switched a few nights of RV sleeping for tent fun. Our backs are much appreciative. It was a relaxing weekend, but next time we'll be making sure to have a lot of firewood, so us girls' drinking won't be interrupted with a search for branches and fallen limbs in utter darkness. (Who knew green wood doesn't burn well) The things you learn while roughing it. HA HA.

Daddy turned 30!

Greg turned thirty today. After trying to grocery shop, make a nice dinner plus dessert, I realized that going out to eat may not be as meaningful, but it is sure a whole lot easier. After Brooklyn's T-ball practice, Greg and I managed to get the kiddos to bed and enjoy a quite evening together. Brooklyn was quite devastated today because she didn't understand where daddy's presents were, and I wasn't about to tell her that we're going on a trip (Vegas) without her. So, she went around the house and began wrapping lots of hidden treasures that Greg was thrilled to open.

Dress Up!!!

Everyday in our home Brooklyn puts on a theatrical presentation. She goes to great length to make each new character just as unique as the last. If you enter our home during the day you'll find a trail of clothes that guide you to Brooklyn's room, as well as seeing makeup all strung out on the bathroom counter. Sometimes Evan and I are the extras in her plays, but we are often fired for not playing our part just the way the director sees fit. I love dress up time, but I do hope that her costumes are a thing of her childhood and not going to make a debut later in her teenage years.

Daddy's Home.

Besides the morning, my favorite part of the day is when Daddy's home. Greg walks through that door and he is greeted with open arms. The kids smile with the first sound of his voice, and I smile with relief to know that I can finally take a shower. I can be at home all day long; walking and playing with the kiddos and not once throughout the day do I get shrieks of joy (sometimes from Evan) from the kiddos that let me know they are glad I'm home. But, Dad on the other hand, he is a celebrity. Dad may get the glory, but I'll get the memories of the little things they do that make me feel thankful for being home with them all day. I'm thankful to have the husband I do. He is the best daddy ever!!!

The Portland Zoo.

After attending the zoo with the Vetters' and the Gabbards', Brooklyn was very excited to show her father what he had missed while at work. So, we decided to go the the zoo the following week, so Brooklyn could give her daddy the grand tour. It was a beautiful day, about 70degrees, and we arrived at the zoo around eleven. It was packed. After trying to park for 40minutes and two screaming children later, we finally entered the zoo around noon. Brooklyn proceeded to show her dad Africa, the hippos, the elephants, and much more. She was so excited, running from one exhibit to another. The animals weren't as active today, but we enjoyed the day just the same. After a picnic on the grass and a delicious rainbow snow cone, we attempted to make our way home through Portland traffic. It's so nice to have Greg working four ten hour shift. His Fridays off, allow our family the opportunity to have more quality time together. We're looking forward to making more "Friday Fun Day" memories.

Gro Baby, the new cloth diaper.

So, I ordered the GroBaby diaper from http://www.kellyscloset.com/ and finally received it. I used it for the first time the other day, and I'm not sure what to think. I love the cover, it fits great and the inside meshing doesn't hold moisture, which allows the diaper to be used multiple times. However, the inside absorbency pad doesn't fit very well. It bunches in the middle, which makes poop easily escape. I'm hoping that with more washes, the inside pad becomes more absorbent and stretchy. I have to give the natural products company that develops GroBaby diapers an A+ on their customer service because I washed both diaper covers together and in one of them the elastic gusset became undone. I notified the company and they sent me another one with no questions asked in the mail the next day. You don't get that kind of customer service everyday. Go GroBaby.

Thirsties Diaper Covers

Here is a picture of Evan in his thirsties' diaper cover. He is currently 13 pounds and wearing a size small. It fits him very well with lots of room to spare. Underneath the cover I use a prefold held on with a snappi. Prefolds with these diaper covers work great while at home. I tried the pins in the beginning, but quickly realized that they are very difficult to use on a fussy baby. The snappis are great and they make prefold a synch to use.

A Happy Moment!!

Finally, a picture of them both smiling together at the same time. With two kids, it's so hard to get a picture when there both cooperating at the same time. But, when they do, they make my heart melt.

Three months

Where has the time gone? I'm officially three months old. After being spoiled for three weeks by 8 hour nightly sleeping stretches, Evan has decided to take another growth spurt. He is giggling, smiling, drooling (lots of it), making lots of baby sounds, and holding his head up without assistance. He is growing up all to quickly. He isn't showing much sign of rolling anytime soon, but it could be that he throws too big of a screaming fit on the ground and gets held instead of having adequate floor time to learn to roll. Oh well, I'm getting my workout as I make multiple laps around the house, so is Dad. Greg wonders when the night will come when he and Evan can just sit on the couch and rest. I look forward to Greg getting home everyday. As for the issue of Evan not sleeping, I can only hope that good sleeping patterns will soon appear, but as for now he'll just remain in his pack-in-play next to the bed waking his mother every four hours for food. (Evan's weight: 13 pounds)

Easter 2009!!!

Even though we were away from family, we were blessed to spend Easter with the Gabbard family. Brooklyn put carrots in the yard to entice the Easter bunny to leave her a wonderful gift. She also was quite excited to see what the bunny would give her brother on his first Easter. Brooklyn was early to rise and off she ran to the living room to see what was left. She was thrilled with her basket of candies and movies, plus Evan's new rattles. We spent the afternoon eating and drinking wonderful treats at the Gabbards' home. It was a great day. We're so blessed to have the family we have. Happy Easter to all.

Cloth Diapering!!!

Over the past few months, I have been on a mission or should I say obsession to figure out this whole cloth diapering thing. When I became pregnant I ran into a women at my nephews' doctor appointment and she had this very strange, but cute cloth diaper on her little girl. I was instantly intrigued. I began asking her questions about the diaper and I went home to do research. I was very hesitant at the idea, but once my little one came, I started the whole process. I absolutely love cloth diapering. I feel like I'm being green, as well as not throwing my money away on useless disposables. So, I'm on a mission to figure out what diapers are the best, most cost effective, user-friendly, most absorbent, and best all around diaper. Call me a dork, but I need something to focus my attention on as I stay home all day changing diapers, at least the diapers I'm changing are cute and practical.

The Sprinkler In April!!!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day. The sun was shinning, it felt more like a summer morning than a spring day. Brooklyn instantly began begging every five minutes for the sprinkler to be brought out. I kept telling her no because I wasn't sure what everyone would be thinking if a five year old little girl was running through a sprinkler at 10am in the morning, plus the last thing I want were little ones with colds. After some hesitation and the arrival of noon, I figured that too much fun was passing her by, so on her suit went along with much needed sunscreen, and she played for hours in the sprinkler. Of course, the water was cold, so you can imagine how dramatic she was with each dart through the water, but she seemed to manage by taking breaks to warm up under the sun. Evan even enjoyed the sun today, I put on his colorful swim trunks, and he just sat in the shade in his bouncy seat smiling at his sister as she ran by with shrieks of joy. It's not everyday in April that you get to take the sprinkler out of the box for the entire day.

Computer Illiterate

I have always considered myself pretty computer savvy, but after trying to figure out the world of blogging; I realize there is nothing savvy about me and my Internet skills. Since, I just started using cloth diapers, I have become very obsessed with reading everything I can. I really enjoy the the "cloth whisperer" website, and I just want to know how to blog and use their site efficiently. So, I'm on a mission to conquer my new found interest, even if I'm left with lots of frustration. I seem to wonder what is happening to me; am I getting old and out of touch with the new technology? The answer is yes, I am getting older and out of touch. I will figure it out, but as for twittering I'll leave that to conquer for another day.

Two Months Old!

He's smiling & embracing his loss of hair!!! Evan is the apple of our eyes. Sister is still obsessed with him, making sure to point her baby brother out to everyone she meets. Evan got his shots & was a little stud about it, one little cry & he was easily settled down with a good rock of mom's arms, I'm sure the binkie helped some, too. He weighed 11pds 15 oz, what a big guy.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Today is Saint Patty's Day. Brooklyn wanted to know why I was dressing her all up in green before I sent her off to pre-school. As for Evan, he looked great in St. Patty's onsie that Austin & Garrett once sported with the same adorable pride. I'm sure hope tonight that I find some time to toast the great Irish day with a cool refreshing beer. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

One Month Old!!!

One month down, eleven to go. We all have settled down very well in our new home. We are all enjoying being together after being apart for so long. Our family life is getting back in order, as much as it can with having a new little one around. Speaking of the little one, Evan is eating all the time, he's quite the character. He fusses whenever we do anything to him, he hates to dressed, bathed, & changed. He has lots of gas & belly pains, which seems to wake him as soon as he gets comfortable. The pediatrician started him on some medicine, so we are hoping that it takes effect soon or we'll be buying stock in ear plugs. The only thing else it might be is a milk intolerance, which the only thing to do for that is for mommy to go diary-free until little man's gut matures, which could be up to a year of age. We're hoping for the best. (Evan's weight: 9pds 6oz)