Busy, busy, busy!

For your viewing pleasure, photos of Evan with his "friends" (the delightful Stacrobats given to him by Aunt Jesse for Christmas). Did you know that the little magnetic creatures make keen bike decorations? Did you also know that Bryan and I are so desperate for entertainment that we'll help Evan put these Stacrobats on his bike? Note also how NOT amused the cat is...

Here are also some pictures of Evan enjoying his first foray of the season into the backyard wading pool. He showed a bit of trepidation, possibly because he decided he would rather run around in the backyard itself. He also insisted on wearing his sandals (must be that shoe thing).

Enjoy!

I fall down!

Well it's been a while since I posted...but life has been a little peculiar to me lately. Had a nasty stomach virus this week...and have been busy with other craziness as well. I think we're all back on track now...so all is well!

Evan had his 2-year well child appointment today. He is now 34 inches tall and weighs 25 pounds. The doctor is really pleased with his height and weight...and even said (unsolicited, I swear) that Evan's vocabulary and speaking were "well above an average 2-year old boy's." I knew it...our boy's a genius! Kidding...but it's good to know that he's doing well...

Lest you think that Evan's an intellectual who might make you feel uncomfortable, let me present his latest video simply entitled, "I fall down!" This is his new favorite game. If he falls down on his own, he loudly exclaims, "I faw down!" If he doesn't fall down on his own, then he throws himself down like a stuntman...just so he can say, "I faw DOWN!" Then he giggles maniacally.

I see physical comedy in his future...


I fall down! from Rena on Vimeo.

Grandma had life rough!!

I stole this idea from a friend's blog...but I'm posting the link in its entirety here because it's way too funny...

Marital Chart--1939

I guess I should work on some of my skills!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

At the request of a friend, I'm actually stepping out from BEHIND the camera to prove that I am, indeed, this boy's mother.

So here you go...a Mother's Day treat (miracle?)...photos of Evan with Mommy. Nevermind the recliner...it's a family heirloom. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Evan turned TWO yesterday!!!!

Be prepared for a completely ridiculous amount of pictures... Hey...it's MY blog...I can inundate you with pictures if I want! :) Don't worry, Mom...I'll put them on disk for you...

We had a great party...Aunt Kel, Aunt San, Nana Pat, Papa George, Aunt Ivette, and cousin Hannah were all here. None of them are "blood" relatives...but they are family just the same.

We will celebrate again with a super duper BBQ featuring a number of familial birthdays, graduations, bar mitzvahs...you name it upon our triumphant return to my motherland at the end of this month. We can't wait to see everyone!!!

Here are the pics...I'd say everyone had fun...dontcha think?

Book smart?

My boy not only loves shoes...he loves books. Which probably works out well since we discovered yesterday at his twice yearly eye exam (routine for preemies) that he's going nearsighted already. Sigh. The poor little guy will more than likely need glasses before he's even in kindergarten. Blame my bad eyes and the prematurity.

I think he'll wear them well, though. He's got the attitude to pull them off.

As for the books, I'm consistently amazed at how he knows "which one's which." He knows their names, too. Right now his favorites are "Wocket Pocket" (There's a Wocket in My Pocket), "Zizzerzazzerzuzz" (the ABC book...featuring the Zizzerzazzerzuzz), "Be Nice" (Be Nice), "Night Moo" (Goodnight Moon), "Bown Beah" (Brown Bear, Brown Bear), "Zoo" (Put me in the Zoo), and The Family Book.
We read most of them every night. Yes. EVERY night.

At least we get to snuggle on the couch while we're reading...
P.S. Notice how quickly that nose healed. Kids heal crazy fast!

Like father, like son...

Evan likes to be like his daddy...right down to the hats that Daddy wears. He steals them from Bryan's head when Bryan's home...and he breaks into our bedroom (or tries to) to wear them when Bryan's gone...

I need to find him an Evan-sized hat...although I doubt he would enjoy it as much as Daddy's...

You shoulda seen the OTHER guy...

Well Evan had his first official trip to the ER today. I got a call this morning from the Montessori that he had tripped over another kiddo's foot and faceplanted right into the greentop (I don't know what a greentop is either...it's just what they call the hard part of their playground).

The pedi recommended we take him to the ER in case he needed x-rays. Thankfully they opted not to do them...but if we notice in a couple of weeks that his nose is crooked, we'll have to take him to an ENT.

It really doesn't seem to be bothering him. Kids are so resilient.

Neosporin and Tylenol...mommy and daddy's best friends.

Things about life, health, and body image that I'm trying to learn from my 2 year old...

1. Legs are for running. Fast. Wildly. Without caring what the world thinks.
2. When I'm full...I push the plate of food away. "Aw done" means all done.
3. Sometimes it's okay to just eat the french fries. I'll have fruit and veggies (and nothing else) tomorrow. And maybe just meat the next day. It all evens out.
4. My belly is something to be appreciated and marveled at (although I don't believe I'll go so far as to show it to perfect strangers).
5. Melting down every now and again is perfectly normal. You recover and move on.
6. Sometimes all you need is a hug.
7. It's great to notice every flower you pass. And every leaf. And every car. Well...maybe not every car...
8. Smiling at strangers isn't necessarily a bad thing.
9. No fear.
10. Curling up with a good book is a great way to pass the time.
11. Helping others is very important. Very, very important.
12. Being outside is WAY better than being inside.
13. Quit counting calories. Listen to your body. It knows what it needs.
    
14. Sometimes changing the way you look at things suddenly makes life very clear.
    

Man...that kid's a genius. :)