Cream of Potato Soup

Ev had a good weekend. He was well behaved and social at the graduation party yesterday, and today he enjoyed a nice afternoon basking in the attention of both Mom and Dad. He definitely handles new situations better as he gets older, but I'm sure he likes staying home and playing with the folks better than anything else.

The coming week should be busy but fun. Tomorrow is E's monthly doctor's appointment (and the official weight and height measurement--hooray!). Cara is home from North Carolina for a few weeks, Mike has off work Thursday and Friday, and there are lots of picnics and things planned for the Fourth of July and the weekend. It's supposed to be very hot and humid again, so we'll see how things go.

Posted by jenny at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a busy week, even though I had a few nights off from work due to power outages from underground transformer fires. Ha! Thursday was an awful day, and by the evening I was cursing. Evan did not nap all day and was so cranky that he wouldn't do anything but cry. And of course, he wouldn't go to Mike. I was getting to the end of my rope.

But I survived, and last night Mommy got a treat. I finally went for the pregnancy massage that Mike had given me for Christmas. As all of you will understand, I didn't get a chance to use it before E was born, what with the hospital and premature birth and all. So last night was my night, and I got an hour long massage at Coventina (a great day spa just south of upper Peach, and the drive there alone was almost as nice as the massage--almost.)

I was in heaven. Nothing is nicer than having that kind of attention paid to you while you are free to just lay there and think about nothing at all. Ah. I would go every week if I could afford it! I'm trying to convince Mike that he should definitely try it out. When I was finished, I slithered home and back to my responsibilities. I was more able to face things after I had some me time, that's for sure.

Today we're off to Mike's cousin's graduation party. Should be a nice afternoon, the weather is lovely. We just have to make sure to bring juice for Ev and seek the shady cool spots. I don't want a repeat of last weekend!!

Posted by jenny at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Haven't posted much this week as it's been hotter than balls since Saturday and we only have air in our bedroom. So we've made that command central and have been operating from there for the past few days. As you know, E can't stand the heat so this was a necessary measure.

This past weekend we had Alan and Heather's picnic in Pittsburgh, and we stayed with a most gracious Beth for Saturday night. Ev was pretty well behaved, but certainly did not enjoy the in and out of his car seat for those two days. He also didn't enjoy the 96 degree temps at Boyce Park, so he cried for almost the whole picnic and made poor Heather think that he hated her. But we survived, and are thinking of going back down later in the summer for a Bucs game or something.

Now it's back to the bedroom where E is taking a quick nap. We have the car today since I was supposed to take Ev to work with me to meet our volunteer ladies, but that was cancelled since there was an underground fire in the parking lot and work was evacuated. Oops. Better luck for that tomorrow, when we're finally supposed to see it cool off a bit. E will be thrilled about that.

Posted by jenny at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today, Evan is five months old. Holy crap, dude. Time is flying...I told Mike last night that we were going to blink and he was going to be one. Things are changing so fast, and he is learning so much, it truly is amazing.

On the day he was born, it snowed (I think, from what I remember or could see from my window at Hamot). Maybe Mike could confirm that. It snowed, and my brothers had a sub for dinner. That's about all I remember. Today, it is 85 degrees and humid, and we are sitting around in our underwear. Five months is a long time.

He's quadrupled his birth weight, learned how to eat, smile, babble, hold his head up, play, and a million other little things. Mike and I have learned how to take care of him, and interpret his babbles and cries, Every day is something new for all three of us.

I hope in the coming months we all continue to learn and grow together. I hope that Mike and I can be the teachers and caregivers that Evan needs, and I hope I catch up on the laundry. I'm excited that our friends and family are with us to watch him grow, and I want other friends and family who have never met him to be able to see him for the first time. He's everything to us and we want to share that with people.

For today, we're going to have a bath, and maybe play outside a little bit. Sounds like a good way to spend the day.

Posted by jenny at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight was baby massage class. Offered through the Hamot Health Connection, this is something I've wanted to do since before E was born. For five dollars you get an hour of instruction, a print-out, and oil to massage your infant into baby bliss. It's also said to be great for bonding, motor skills, growth and stimulation.

So we three headed out tonight with high hopes for an evening of family togetherness. I was also secretly hoping to learn the key to making E the happiest baby on the planet. Maybe this would solve his sleeping issues, digestive problems, and dislike of Daddy. Did it?

Nope. When we got there, E was fine, babbling away at the other babies (who, incidentally, were all between 8 and 14 weeks old and all bigger than him. it made me want to cry.) By the time the instructor was ready to go, he got fussy. And we only got through the first series of massage (left leg) before E was in a full-blown wail. Ugh.

We spent the remainder off the class trying to at least watch the demonstration while walking E around the room or feeding him juice. I plan to try again tomorrow, because I really think he would like it if he gave it a chance. Maybe we'll have better luck when we're on our own. I sure hope so, though I no longer have visions of a calm happy baby. I would settle for a quiet, tolerant baby.

Posted by jenny at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evan is well, and loads of fun. He has a predictable schedule of sleeping and eating and playing, and is quite the little conversationalist. Mike and I have been enjoying his chatter as it increases and new sounds are added almost every day. He likes to stand and sit up with assistance, and squeals happily when he is able to do so.

The only thing I'm wishing for is him to be able to entertain himself for a little while. I know this is asking a lot, but it would really help out when I have so much to do around the house. Granted, he is much better than he was just a month ago, so maybe I'll get lucky and his progress will continue. Then again, playing with a baby all afternoon is much more fun than housework.

I'm caught up on his scrapbook anyway, even if Mike is running out of clean pants.

Posted by jenny at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite my bitching lately, being a father is a totally awesome thing. My first father's day was great. Ev and I relaxed in bed for awhile and talked. Well, I talked and he made noises, but I'm not complaining. Then it was running around to see my dad, then Jenny's dad, then off to Aunt Louise's house for her birthday. It was a long day, to say the least. I hope everyone had as nice a day as I did.

Posted by Mike at 10:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a while, but tonight I added a new gallery of pictures taken this past week.

I must say, Jennifer takes some very nice photos.

Posted by Mike at 07:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once again, Mike is convinced that Evan hates him. I went in to work tonight, leaving husband and baby at my dad's to watch a movie. Things did not go smoothly.

I was gone for about two hours, and Evan cried the whole time. The only time he didn't cry was the few minutes that my dad was holding him before he left to go to my grandmother's. So Mike was alone to care for Evan, and Evan cried...and cried....and cried. Mike missed the movie he went over there to see, and I found him frazzled on the front porch when I returned.

For the rest of the evening, Evan was quiet and pleasant for me and my dad, but if Mike tried to hold him all hell would break loose. Mike is convinced he is the worst father ever, and is feeling pretty down about the whole thing. I feel bad because there's nothing I can do, and I know that E is just doing this because he's so particular. I'm the one with the milk after all, he has to love me.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? We need advice. I fear that if this continues Mike will become even more discouraged. E-mail us with your good ideas.

Posted by jenny at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been hot and humid the past few days, and Evan hates that. He's like me, preferring sunny 70's with low humidity to these hot sticky days. He naps poorly when it is warm, and just wants to drink (which is hell on me, nothing is worse than a sweaty child who wants to snuggle).

I've been encouraging water and half water/half baby juice bottles, but he really likes the half and half ones best. I don't blame him, but we ran out of baby juice today and he just keeps dribbling the water out of the side of his mouth to show me that he isn't fond of it. Not good. It's Mommy's job to make sure baby makes enough peepee. Now don't you all want children?

I'm falling behind on housework (what else is new) and Evan's scrapbook. I'm more afraid about the latter...cleaning is cleaning but Evan keeps growing and I don't want to miss a step. Maybe I'll work on some pages tonight. Things should be getting easier now. He sleeps on a more consistent schedule and is able to amuse himself for periods during the day. Like today, E laid on a towel on the floor while I made dinner, and we talked to each other. It worked out well...I got things done but didn't feel I was ignoring him. Hopefully it will only get better.

Posted by jenny at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evan's second weekend in Cleveland, this time to celebrate his Grammy and Papa's 27th anniversary. He was very well behaved again (except on occasions when his meals were delayed a few minutes) so it was a pleasant time overall. As he gets older and bigger he is more able to handle different situations without becoming so upset. It's finally fun to do things with him and have him out and about.

Ev went swimming for the first time this weekend. It was an absolute riot. But I think he enjoyed it. He has the cutest little swim trunks, and I coated him liberally with sunblock. I'm sure the cool water felt good yesterday when it was 85 degrees. We'll post pictures as soon as we find the cable for our scanner.

That's about all for now. E is sleeping in his carseat and I am trying to catch up on a few things before bed. I am afraid Daddy is going to try to stay up for the World Cup game at 2:30 am. Maybe I can convince him to go to sleep and wake up with us when E eats, because that's his usual snack time.

Posted by jenny at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Better day today for E. He's been pretty good since this afternoon with no major spitting up or fussiness. I'm hoping it stays this way. I just feel so bad when Evan's not himself.

I just love the times when E is happy and shows his personality. Like this evening, when I was getting ready for work, he was sitting on his Daddy's lap talking up a storm. He said a "B" sound, which is something new, and was very animated. It's so much fun to see him learn and grow every day.

Holding his head up is becoming easier for him, but it's still a bit of a chore. We take these things for granted, like being able to hold our heads up or roll over, but he is just learning. It's funny to watch him as he looks around the room and then suddenly, WHOMP, down the head goes. I try not to laugh because he's so intent on keeping that head up, but man is it funny.

I'm hoping for a quiet weekend. This week has been more hectic than I would have liked. For now, I'm off to bed with the hopes that we get a five hour stretch in tonight.

P.S. Hi Mrs. Woytek! It was nice to see you today...Evan and I will be back to visit soon!

Posted by jenny at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi all. Sorry it's been a while since you've heard from Evan-land, but things have been pretty busy with work and baby. I'm actually typing this with my left hand as I hold E.

We've been working on getting his diet (and mine) working to relieve his tummy troubles. So far there has been no major improvement. I'm getting a little frustrated, as he still eats well but then ends up fussy or puking. It makes me feel bad but I'm not sure what else to do.

So that's all here. Sorry this is short and boring, but I'll write more when I have more time.

Posted by jenny at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We love these baby shirts. Feel free to get any and all of them for Evan. We will make sure he wears them out in public at every opportunity.

Posted by Mike at 04:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)