Sleep Vent

Let me just tell you now, if your child has slept through the night since they were a few weeks old, you many not want to read this.

Now, I love my son. I love my friends. I love my friend's kids. But let me tell you what I don't love right now.

#1 - my son/daughter has slept through the night since they were two weeks old.
#2 - my son/daughter has slept through the night since they were a few months old.
#3 - my son/daughter gets up once at night, how do I get him/her to sleep through the night?
#4 - my son/daughter sleeps from 7 pm- 6:30 am, but I'm trying to get them to sleep until 8.
#5 - maybe you should give him (my son) some cereal before he goes to bed.
#6 - maybe your milk isn't strong enough to last him through the night so he gets hungry.
#7 - have you tried the Ferber Method?

Let's recap last night's events.

6:45pm: Evan falls asleep.
9:30ish: Evan wakes. We wait to see if he falls back asleep. Nope. Paul goes in to get him down.
9:45: Evan's asleep.
12:00ish: Evan wakes. Paul goes in to get him down.
12:15am: I sing, rock, sway, dance, shush.
1:20: Evan's asleep.
1:45-2:15 (not sure what time): Evan wakes again. Paul goes in.
2:45: I go in after hearing Paul's calls, give in and start nursing.
3:20: Evan is asleep.
5:30: Evan wakes. I go nurse again.
6:05: Asleep.
7:15: Up for the day.

Yes, I'm glad that he slept until 7:15. Hallelujah! It definitely beats his 4:45-5:15 wake up calls. Is he getting the sleep that he needs? No. Is he still happy in the morning? Definitely. Did I miss the memo about how to make your child sleep or something?! If so, I'd like to get it.

Mara's Birthday

Our niece, Mara, had her 4th birthday yesterday. I have never seen so much pink in one place. Everything was "princess" themed, most of the girls were wearing pink, most of the gifts were pink, and most of the wrapping seemed to be pink.

There was a giant inflatable water slide for the kids to use. We took Evan in while the kids were inside playing and eating cake.

Evan also had the chance to play with his cousin, Benjamin. He loves following Ben around. When he would hand something to Evan, a huge smile would come onto Evan's face. It was adorable to see.

Hope you had wonderful birthday, Mara!

Zoo

Paul's dad had given us a zoo membership for Evan's birthday, and seeing as how Evan had still not been there, we decided it was time. We met up with Meghan (Paul's eldest sister) and her kids, Mara and Benjamin on Saturday morning.

We had a great time, although it was a short visit. Evan loved looking at all the plants and water features (and sometimes the animals). He also loved playing with his cousin Ben. Mara was excited to show us all the animals and tell us that there were twenty-eighty-nine of them inside the zoo. Ben kept calling everything a turtle and wanted to wear Evan's had.

Since were were there early (7:30), we were able to see the orangutans, the monkeys in Monkey Village, and a peahen and her chicks without many other people around. After our wonderful morning, we headed back and it was nap time.

Thanks for joining us Aunt Meghan, Mara, and Ben!

And he's off!

It's official...we have a walker!

In fact, today while at the Verizon store, Evan actually was refusing to hold my hand while walking. I caught this on video after about the third time of him walking from one side of the room to the other. Let the chasing begin!

Call me crazy

Now, Paul and I are no where near ready to try for a second child. We pretty much agree that we'd at least like our son to sleep through (most of) the night. But, the more I think about it, the more I can't wait to be pregnant again and experience creating a new life. Call me crazy, but I'm also considering a natural childbirth. I've already spoken to my OB/GYN about having a VBAC, but my heart and head keep leaning towards completely med-free. (When I mentioned this to Paul, he said he would support me and thought it was a great idea. But when I told him that I meant no medication, not vaginal...he wasn't so sure.)

Maybe it's because I don't remember the first several hours after Evan's birth.
Or that I didn't get to hold or see him immediately after he was born.
Or that my delivery didn't go the way I had always imagined.

But for now, it's just a thought. We'll see if it really happens...

12 month well child

Evan has is 12 month well child visit on Tuesday. (Actually, we thought it was Monday and arrived to some confused looks on the receptionists face when she didn't see his file.) Our pediatrician says that Evan is doing great. He now weighs 20 lbs., 12 oz. (25% - lean little boy), is 30 1/4 inches (60%), and has a head circumference of 44.5 cm (10% - yet again, our pedi told us that he has a small head).

Now if we compare to his birth measurements...

Birth weight 8 lbs., 10 oz. (gained 12 lbs., 2 oz.)
Birth length 20 1/2 inches (gained 9 3/4 inches)

I can't forget that we've even turned his car seat around! Evan can now face forwards in the car and has truly enjoyed the change. He likes to play with the window shade and talk (or sing) to me when we go for drives. Don't worry...I also put the child safety lock on the door so that he can't open it from the inside.

First year photo shoot

My sister spent some time with us this weekend to take photos of Evan for his first birthday. Here are some samples that she's shared with us thus far:




You can see more of the photos on her Facebook page.