Cream of Potato Soup

Busy days here at our house. Much of last week and the weekend was devoted to our big yard sale. It was a success, we got rid of a lot of stuff we didn't need and made some cash in the process. Evan was mostly well behaved at the sale. I don't think he appreciated getting up at 6:30 in the morning, but he was good just the same. Luckily, we won't have to do that again for another 5 or 10 years (I hope).

Yesterday we treated ourselves to a little road trip. We hopped on 90 and went to Buffalo to the Galleria to do some shopping. Each of us got a little treat--Evan got a cool tent thing that looks like a bus, Mike got a case for his iPod (and to spend some time looking at all the great stuff in the Apple store) and I got a dress for the wedding I'm going to in August. The day was a lot of fun, aside from the ride home. Evan decided to scream all the way from Buffalo to Erie, then promptly fell asleep when we got off 90. Mike and I were about ready to climb the walls.

This week should be a good one. Aunt Cara is home from NC for a few weeks, and we're looking forward to the 4th of July picnic here and spending the weekend in Cleveland. I'm wondering if we should try taking Ev to the fireworks this year...

Posted by jenny at 08:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's finally hot and summery here, which means Ev is cranky and doesn't want to eat. Come to think of it, I'm cranky and don't want to eat either. Ha.

Along with our next door neighbors, we have set up a kind of baby Disneyworld in the two back yards. We've got a pool, Elmo sprinkler, a play lawn mower and some balls, while they have a gym with a slide, sandbox, golf set, kid's patio furniture, and bubbles galore. Evan and Kaitlyn are certainly not lacking for toys anymore.

Last night the kids were in the pool (along with a fully dressed Mike) and they had a great time. I'm glad Evan has a buddy close by and that he's been able to get outside so much. The only downside is that Kaitlyn goes to daycare during the day, so poor Evan has to play with Mommy until 4 o'clock rolls around. And we all know Mommy is just not that cool.

Speaking of cool, I'm going to go sit in front of the fan.

Posted by jenny at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

New pictures posted, I finally got a chance to go through some pictures we've taken in May and June. The sprinkler shots were taken tonight, so the order is all wacky there, but I think they came out really well.

Click on the Evan Gallery 20 link over there on the right to see them.

Posted by Mike at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For his birthday this past January, Evan got a spinning wheel with letters on it that you can push and this thing will tell you the letter. He's always liked spinning it around and hitting the buttons. Last night, he somehow found a mode on this thing that makes the sound of the letter instead of the actual letter (instead of say "B" it will say "buh", that sort of thing). Once it started doing that, Evan seemed to think it was pretty much the funniest thing ever. Here are a few videos. They're about 5mb each.

Movie 1


Movie 2


Movie 3.

How can you watch those and not laugh? I don't know.

Posted by Mike at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The weekend flew by yet again--we were so busy and had tons of fun. Yesterday we headed to Pittsburgh for the Pirates/Indians game, and Evan had a great time. He slept on the way down, and he liked running through the aisles at Ikea while we shopped for home furninshing bargains.

We started tailgating early in the afternoon, and it was a bit of a challenge keeping Evan away from all the cars. As the day wore on, he got more comfortable with everyone and took turns leading one of us around the parking lot, playing inside the car, and sitting on various laps. He ate well (as we all did) and was raring to go by the time we headed into the ballpark.

Ev was very well behaved during the game. He was either sitting quietly on a lap or walking the concourse with someone. He did start to get a little testy by the 12th inning (yes, it went the distance!) but by then it was after 11 so he and i headed out to the car. Before I knew it he was asleep, and he snuggled in his car seat while I listened to the remaining three innings on the radio. We didn't end up getting home until almost 4 am and then we were up again at 8 to return the rental van, so we're all very tired today!

Evan is cranking, and Mike's already out for the night, so I guess I better call it quits as well.

Posted by jenny at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, we got a resolution to our speech therapy problem. The resolution is that we are to wait. The office here can do nothing more for us, and the office in Meadville will not even consider our case until we have an address and a phone number down there. So we are to wait, and by the time Evan starts therapy he'll be seven years old. I think that I'm going to call the Meadville office Monday and give them the address and Mike's office phone number, and then tell them how happy I would be to come down and meet with them prior to our move. I'm just not willing to wait any longer.

In other news, Evan has been a total crank the last few days. Picky about his food, sleeping at weird times, and very grumpy. I hope it's only a growth spurt or something, because he's not very pleasant to be around!

Tomorrow we're headed down to Pittsburgh to catch the Pirates/Indians game. It should be a good time--there are quite a few of us going and we're even going to tailgate. It will be Evan's first major league game--too bad he won't remember it! We'll be sure to take lots of pictures!

Posted by jenny at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As Evan watches Sesame Street and enjoys some Teddy Grahams, I get a chance for a quick update.

Still no news on the speech therapy. The wheels of justice turn slowly, or something like that.

Evan and I went back to the beach yesterday. He just loves walking in the water and playing in the sand. I swear he would walk into the lake until the water was up to his nose if I let him, but since the lake temp is still hovering near 60, I think that will have to wait.

I think I may have to take Evan up to the mall to run around this afternoon if it keeps raining.

Mike and I were talking about our recent lifestyle alterations last night. About a month and a half ago we started eating better, buying more fruits and veggies and good stuff, and exercising more regularly. We figured that this would be good for our waistlines and a good example for Evan. So far so good. We're all getting out and about more, and Evan seems to be very happy with that. I've lost 7 pounds and Mike has lost 12, so that's good too. Of course I'm jealous that Mike is doing better than I am, but that's the way it goes--guys seem to have it easier in the weight loss department. And as Jerry repeatedly tells me when I complain, it's better to lose it slowly over a long period because then I'll be more likely to keep it off. This doesn't help when I put on a bathing suit, but I keep repeating it anyway.

Tickets have been booked for my trip to Colorado in August. We were lucky and got it booked for practically nothing with frequent flier miles--I'm so glad Mike went to Japan five years ago! I'm a little nervous about being gone from Evan that long (three nights! I've never even been away from him for one night!) but I'm hoping all will go well.

Evan is yelling at Grover, I better sign off.

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

UPDATE: Daddy found his keys in his pocket. Evan is off the hook.

Posted by jenny at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Daddy's keys are missing. I know we used them to get into the house yesterday evening, but this morning when Daddy was leaving for work we couldn't find them anywhere. I'm wondering if maybe our little pal Evan had a hand in their disappearance...

Posted by jenny at 08:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there--especially Evan's daddy and my Daddy, two of the very best daddies in the whole world.

We had such a fun weekend! It started off with Mommy's night off on Friday. I got to go out to dinner with Mikaele and we had a really great time. We need to do that more often. I laughed like I haven't laughed in a long time. While I was out giggling, Mike and Evan went out and about and had a pretty fun evening of bonding themselves.

Saturday we woke to beautiful sunshine and decided to head out and enjoy the day. We rode around town, stopping at Hamot to visit Mike's grandpa and catch up with his dad and uncle. After a lovely lunch in the hospital cafeteria (believe it or not, Mike and I actually find that to be quite a nice little place to dine) it was off to my cousin's house for Aunt Louise's birthday party.

Evan had a ball there, running in and out of the house. My cousin lives on quite a bit of land, so Ev got to enjoy the fresh air and greet the neighbor's dogs that came over for a visit. He really had a great time, eating a big piece of cake and trying to get everyone at the party to play outside with him. He was pretty beat and fell asleep in front of the bonfire that ended the night. We all had a really good time.

Today was just as hectic and fun. We let Daddy sleep in a bit (that's the best Father's Day gift of all!) and gave him his presents this morning. Then it was off to the Peninsula where we met Mike's dad and sister, and we rented surreys and rode around the trails. Evan loved riding around the beach, especially since he didn't have to pedal! Then we walked down to the water where Ev got a big kick out of wading in the cold lake. He shrieked with delight at the waves and the sand. We'll have to head back down there soon.

When we were done at the beach we made a quick stop for lunch before heading up to my dad's to hang out. Ev was able to relax there and explore outside with anyone that would accompany him. He even helped Daddy wash the car and played basketball with Uncle Jer. You'd think with all that activity he'd be exhausted, but somehow Ev is still going strong and it's almost 10 o'clock. I wish I had his energy!

Posted by jenny at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Don't you just love Evan's haircut? He looks like such the little man.

Things are going slowly getting Ev's therapy started. I contacted his caseworker again today and she told me she's trying to get in touch with the office in Meadville so she can get things started down there. She's apparently been playing phone tag with their office so we're getting nowhere.

I'm trying to be patient.

I instructed her to have the Meadville people call me as soon as she gets in touch with them, so we can meet before we move. I really want him to start therapy as soon as we get down there.

I am really trying to be patient.

Posted by jenny at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight we finally bit the bullet and took Evan to get his first ever real haircut. The word I can best think of to describe the experience would be "Chernobyl," since Ev pretty much had a severe meltdown once he got into the chair. He screamed and fussed, and worked himself up to the point of choking and sputtering. Amazingly though, the lady got through the job, and did quite admirably I might say. Here are a few pics:

I think it came out very nice. It's weird - he looks like a completely different kid.

Posted by Mike at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Found on my preeclampsia forum today (this quote from one of the resident medical experts on staff there):

"If patient develops severe preeclampsia before 28 weeks, recurrence
rate in subsequent pregnancy is 60%. One third of those will be
before 28 weeks again.
If she develops severe disease at 28-36 weeks, recurrence rate is
about 40%. One third will be at same gestational age."

Certainly puts a damper on my recent thinking about having another baby.

Posted by jenny at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Evan's hair is totally out of control. It's growing in his eyes, over his ears, and flipping out every which way. It needs to be cut, and not by me.

Since Ev was about nine months old, I've been cutting his hair myself. I usually do it when he's asleep, since that's the only time he'll sit still. I can trim his bangs, around his ears, and the back of his head, but that's it--no fancy stuff. And until now we've gotten by with that. Unfortunately, I just tried my old trick and it woke him up, so that's the end of that method.

Besides, it is way too long for that any more, and what he really needs is a professional hair cut. Both Mike and I hesitate to take him for one, because I'm convinced that he's going to flip out and we'll end up with a half cut head of hair and eight bucks in the hole. Not to mention the visions I have in my head of Jerry's first haircut during which he threw up on the barber. (I'm not even sure that I was present for this, but the story has been told so many times at our house that I may have created my own memory of the event).

Tonight we're going out to get Daddy a haircut, so maybe I'll bite the bullet and try to get Ev one too. I'll let you know how it goes.

Posted by jenny at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's late (well, if you consider 10:55 pm late) and Mike and Evan are asleep and I'm enjoying a rare bit of quiet time. I could be doing the dishes or picking up the living room, but I decided I'd rather just sit here for a while. Maybe drink my diet pop, watch the news, flip through the latest issue of Parents. This is the life.

Lately things with Evan have become a power struggle. His lack of ability to verbalize his needs is frustrating to him, so when he wants something it usually involves trying to lead me there by the hand accompanied by a sharp whine. If I follow where he leads, he is happy. If I resist, he becomes very angry and begins throwing himself on the floor and crying.

Most times when he leads me it's to my computer, where he wants me to sit down so he can sit on my lap and play on the computer. He likes to visit the PBS Kids and Noggin websites where he can play games with his favorite characters. (Hmm, imagine our child wanting to surf the web--how strange). I'm happy to indulge him once or even twice a day, but when his interest becomes excessive I say no and try to interest him in other things. That doesn't go over very well.

We try to read books, play with toys, go outside. I want him to do all the fun learning things he should be doing, not be spending a lot of time on the computer. I don't think that's a healthy habit to get into. I am looking forward to our move when we be able to have the office upstairs and out of the way, and Evan will have more room to play. I'm thinking that if the weather starts to get warmer (and I mean for good, not just for one day here and there) that will help as well.

I don't like the power struggle. I don't want to be the mean Mommy, but I don't want to let him get away with murder either. It's a fine line to walk--I'm so not prepared for the discipline side of parenting. And how do you discipline a 16 month old anyway? I can say no until I'm blue in the face, but I don't think Evan understands much about consequences yet. It's a hard thing for Evan to learn, and I'm learning right along with him.

Not to say it's all bad. Along with the struggle for independence and the need to be understood has come a baby that likes to have fun. He loves to laugh, and laughs long and loudly when we spit water in the bathtub or play ball outside. He loves to interact with us and is always anxious to please us or mimic our actions. We've been having a great time together lately, and I know it's just going to get better as the summer goes on.

Posted by jenny at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have found lately that when I sing to Evan, he wrinkles up his nose and starts howling at me. I guess I'm not a very good singer. :)

Posted by jenny at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today was fairly quiet. Mikaele and the boys came over for a bit in the morning (and made me again rethink the whole idea of having another child), and we spent the whole day inside because it was another cold and rainy one.

I spent some time on the phone with Evan's caseworker trying to iron out all of this therapy stuff. She's still waiting to hear back from the Barber Center about when we can meet with them to get things underway. In the meantime, we're definitely moving to Meadville in July so we'll have to get Ev a new caseworker and all that through Early Intervention in Crawford County.

I'm hoping we can get most of the paperwork and stuff done up here and then just transfer it down to his new caseworker when we move. I want him to be ready to start therapy as soon as we get down there. If we can't get the stuff transferred soon then Evan won't start therapy until September and that's too much wasted time.

So much to worry about.

Posted by jenny at 09:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another weekend has flown by, and it's hard to figure out where the time went when Sunday evening rolls around. The one nice thing about this weekend was that we got to have a lot of family time. I'd been feeling like we haven't had much of that lately.

After the lovely weather Thursday and Friday, we were very disappointed by Saturday's steady cold rain. Since Ev couldn't play outside, we found other things to do--running errands, joining friends for lunch, and going for a nice long drive.

The great thing about a long drive is that Evan usually falls asleep in the back so Mike and I get some time alone. We can talk and joke without interruption, and drives like this allow us to discuss some of the more important stuff that we don't get time for in our day to day lives. We get to say more to each other than, "Hey, can you come in here and help me change Evan?" or "Did you remember to pick up that prescription on your way home?" It was so nice to get some time to be Mike and Jenny instead of Daddy and Mommy.

Back to Ev though, we did pick up some cool toys for him--an Elmo sprinkler and beach ball in the hope that warmer weather will soon be here. Ev's cousin next door got a sandbox and little climbing gym this week, so between us we're going to have quite the kiddie playland this summer. It's so much fun to spend the evening outside and let the kids play together (and I think the kids like it too).

We played with the beach ball in the hallway this evening, and Evan had a blast. He ran between me and Mike trying to catch or kick the ball, and laughing when it got away from him. He's been babbling a lot more the last few days since he's been more active and outside. I'm hoping this will carry over into some real words soon.

Here's to 70 degree temperatures tomorrow!

Posted by jenny at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)