Evan's First Hair Cut

Checking out this haircut thing..

Nothing to it!


Still going strong, Mommy!


Final Touches

Approving my photo



Picture Perfect!

On October 18th I finally took the plunge and got Evan's first haircut. I figured after strangers starting to say "what a cute little girl" it was time. I think I was trying to postpone as long as possible because if I didn't cut his hair it made me feel like he was still a tiny baby.
I took him to Cool Cuts at Toys R Us. It is the same place that Hayden gets his haircut and it was either the same chair or the chair next to where Hayden got his first haircut. They are able to distract the kids with little TV's, video games, and a car to sit in equipped with steering wheel and all.
Evan was a perfect angel. He did not shed a single tear! He was entranced with his steering wheel and little television playing in front of him.
He didn't even fuss when I initially had to make the diversion back to the store to purchase a pair of socks for him. It is against code to have babies without socks/shoes getting a hair cut. Hayden always had shoes on but I gave up with "E" because he always rips them off within seconds of getting into the car. Oh well, we got some extra socks.

Pumpkin Patch

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Click above image to enlarge!

Visit to the Neighborhood Pond - Oops- 5 Weeks Old!

I must initially excuse this posting as it is only 5 weeks late (taken the second week of September). I took these pics as part of a photography class I was taking at the community college. I learned a lot of fantastic things....

1) my camera can do much more when it is not set on Auto :=)
2) I have a lot to learn about manual settings and photography in general
3) I had no idea that photography was so technical
4) I am inspired to want to be a better photographer
5) in looking at my pictures I can learn more about me - never would have thought!


Anyhow, these were actually taken over a couple of nights. The first night with Hayden wearing the baseball cap backwards feeding the ducks was a special just Mommy and son date! He got to feed almost an entire loaf of bread to a very eager crowd as you can see. I was a bit nervous that they might frighten him as close as they got but he was not scared at all. He was a bit surprised when one got close enough to grab an entire piece of bread out of his hand but all was well. ( DISCLAIMER- No ducks or children were injured in the "filming" of this production - ha)
Hayden was such a cooperative boy in letting me take my photo shoot of him though you can tell from the pics he was not all that excited but complied with my requests. I totally understood. Why pose for photos when there are hungry ducks to feed??!
This little outing was also very special to me as one of my favorite outings growing up was going to the lake with my Mom to feed the ducks.
The pics of Evan were from the second night. As you can see he was just busy staring off at the ducks in the distance and taking in the scenery. Mommy had a hard time getting his attention but at least I got some pics of those very kissable cheeks of his.

Mr. Mischief!!

So I have decided to change Evan's temporary nickname from Mr. Crinkle Nose to Mr. Mischief! (For explanation on "Mr. Crinkle Nose" you will need to look back to prior blog posting August 27th).
Anyhow, I cannot believe the feats this little boy can achieve.
The first sign he was a climber was when he climbed into his own exersaucer. I have never seen or known any infant to do this.
Whenever I am holding him on my hip these days he hoists his little feet up to my hip bone like I am a tree or something and tries to stand up on my hip so his head is level with mine. It is not comfortable for Mommy but most entertaining for him. He gets a better view. When I hold him against my chest he tries to climb over my shoulders and enjoys hanging over my back. I am not sure where he thinks he is going to go when he gets there but enjoys it none the less...
He learned already that chairs are things you can use to get on top of things. He can climb from Hayden's little chair, to the table against the kitchen island, to the island within seconds. Needless to say, Hayden's chair is no longer on the kitchen floor after meal time. It goes on top of the counter. If you happen to stop by my house without notice soon you will notice I often have things like chairs on top of my cabinets and tables now. We now have also pretty much blocked off the kitchen. You would think you could let him crawl around for a bit while preparing a bottle or something but where there is a will there is a way for my little boy.
He can climb and stand on window seals. (Don't worry - we keep windows closed and locked!) He can only reach the ones close to the ground on the first floor anyway.
We went to check on him in the nursery on Sunday to be told that he somehow managed to escape the bungie bouncer chair. They are not sure if he jumped or climbed but fortunately managed to make it to the ground safely.
I took the boys to Target yesterday. I had not turned my back for 15 seconds and "E" managed to stick his feet up back through the leg holes in the front infant seat of the cart, twist himself around in the seat belt, and was standing up facing the back of the cart by the time I turned around! Thank goodness I got him before he went overboard.
He also now uses Hayden as a "walker". I am hoping to get some footage of this soon. He stands up and grabs onto Hayden's clothes from behind and when Hayden starts walking, Evan is walking too. Evan squeals with delight and Hayden is equally amused that he can provide such walking assistance to his little brother. I have to remind Hayden to walk slow as little Evan is still learning. I have to keep them on the carpet as there is an inevitable tumble eventually. This just started yesterday. I probably am going to need to put a stop to it soon but it is precious beyond measure to watch as long as I am near by for "accident prevention."
I have to keep a close watch on this little man. He needs extra safety prayer these days too.

Lunch Visit with MeMaw

Last Wednesday I took the boys to meet their Great Grandmother, MeMaw, at her place for lunch. She was so excited about our visit. She had a special table reserved for us in the dining room at her retirement community.
I brought a Happy Meal for Hayden as our best guesses would be that he probably would not partake in the meal choices available. MeMaw suggested it herself and I agreed that he probably would not eat the chickpea salad, apple chicken, and barley :=)
Hayden ate his entire Happy Meal and MeMaw gladly helped him arrange the french fries on his plate. He did eat a whole serving of red Jello which MeMaw spoon fed him the entire thing. I kind of chuckled to myself as Hayden did not once tell her he could feed himself the Jello. I know it meant so much to her. It was just precious to watch.
MeMaw could not have been more proud of her sweet grandsons. They both behaved incredibly and I could not have been more pleased myself. The lunch process there is almost an hour! She proudly showed them off to her friends and the staff at the community.
MeMaw offered Hayden a ride on her lap in her scooter. He at first was very hesitant and declined the initial offer. However, after a bit of coaxing he climbed into the chair and she showed him a few of the controls. He got to turn it on and off a couple of times and once he figured out he could make it move he was hooked! There was no getting off of MeMaw's lap. He rode around the entire community on the scooter with MeMaw and had a blast.
Hayden at one point told MeMaw, "Don't feed Evan carrots. It will make him sick." She thought that was hilarious. Carrots don't make Evan sick. She knew Hayden was protecting his brother from a vegetable he doesn't care too much for himself.
We went back to her apartment and she let the boys play around a while. Evan of course tried to get into everything but she didn't mind a bit.
It was such a special afternoon. I am thankful that God has blessed this woman at the age of 90 to be able to still enjoy and know her great grandsons. Some of my happiest memories are with her and I love her so much. The dedication and love she has shown to her friends and family over the years is beyond measure.

Happy Memory Highlights.... I will never forget playing cards with her while watching The Price is Right on the card table in front of the TV. We spent hours putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. (She was amazing at Wheel of Fortune and she frequently called out the correct answers before many of the contestants and she always was working a cross word puzzle from the Sunday paper). She read to us all the time and sung us to sleep as we listened to the grandfather clock chime in her and Grandpa's house at night. There was nothing better than a MeMaw and Grandpa Thanksgiving Feast! She gave Lauren and I our best childhood Christmas ever - two Cabbage Patch dolls EACH! I still remember vividly as she and my Grandpa pulled them out of the car Christmas morning. We could not have been more thrilled and I think she was equally if not more excited to give them to us. MeMaw is one of the most graciously giving people I have ever known. It brings her nothing but delight to give to those she loves. She always made me feel that I was loved and very special. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, MEMAW!!