Family Pics @ Loose Park

My two boys!!!

Mommy and Ev

Our wonderful family!

Our stud with his shades.

Look at those baby blues!

Mommy's absolute favorite!

Apes says this is his "sexy look"

Chubby Cheeks

A friend of ours has decided to start her own photography business. She asked if she could take some pictures of Evan, and in return she would make us copies, and she could use them for her portfolio. What a deal! Sunday morning, we all headed to Loose Park to take some pictures of Evan, and take our first official family picture. As you can see, they turned out to be AMAZING! I teared up at work when she first posted them for me to see. We tried to take the approach of not posing, just going with the moment. I LOVE IT! They turned out to be excellent shots, and capture so many special moments, funny faces, and wonderful features of Evan.

The park was absolutely beautiful, and the weather was still nice with a little breeze! Kelley brought the props, and we had some fun! I have narrowed down my favorite picture to be the one above with Evan and the red background. However, I love each and every single one of them! She is on her way to doing great things with her camera and props! Thanks again Kelley for giving us such a special gift. These will be hanging in our house for many, many years!!!!

Fancy Pants Creations

So, as most of you all know, I am going to attempt to start selling my crafts online. Also, as most of you know, I have a passion for being crafty and sharing my gift with others. I can do what I love to do and share it with others! This is a little dream of mine and I have had many thoughts about taking this huge step, all to chicken out. So, this time - I am going to go full speed ahead! I am not sure what has come over me ... could it be that cute little fella that we are so blessed to have??? :) Each little step that I take, in preparation to making this happen, is stressful and overwhelming. But I am staying focused and will get over my fear and the overwhelming feelings in each decision that I make. Every step that I complete is one step closer to my goal! I have my eye on the prize, and I am not looking back!

My 'store' is going to be called Fancy Pants Designs. I am simply making gifts and favors for weddings, baby showers, children, babies, mothers-to-be, and more! Some of the items I will be selling include: wedding favors (edible and themed), baby and children's clothing (personalized), birthday favors, girly items, gift sets, gift baskets, and more. My catagories are True Love In Bloom (wedding favors), Little Squirts (baby and children clothing/gifts), Gifts Galore (Boutique-style gifts), Baby Bumps (Baby shower favors & pregnancy themed gifts) and, Sassy Sets (gift sets). I wil have personalized onesies with monograms or names - birthday shirts age specific -barretts/headbands/hats - flip flops - baby tennis shoes - birthday party favors - wedding favors - baby 'cupcakes' and 'lollipops' - detailed wedding/baby tray - step stools - toy box and more! My slogan is Making Moments, Capturing Memories.

Here are just a few of the things I have made and will be selling:

Themed Gift Baskets - "Relax" is the spa basket

Filled with spa like treatments

Children's Small Personalized Toy Box

Another shot.

Personalized hat boxes - wedding, children or themed

Small diaper cakes - themed or color specific

Personalized Stepstools - children/baby or date specific (birth date, lbs, oz ...)

Personalized maternity "reveal" frames....

I have a friend who will be helping me take more professional pictures of each of the items that I am offering. My photo skills are lacking! I still have a few weeks until the official "opening" of the website. I still need to figure out pricing, shipping details, write detailed description of each item, and get my website up and running! A lot to do - especially with a little guy. :) I am working each night, when he is asleep ... diligently!

I am looking for some advice. I am undecisive about having an actual website or selling on a blog. The website may have more hits, but a blog account is free. With the website, I will have to purchase a domain name, pay for hosting, and still pay for a layout. With the blog, I only pay for the template. However, a .com may get more hits, and would it be worth the extra money to see if does? I am thinking that I am going to just start a blog, see how it does, and then move to a website if I am doing well. My only question is ... would you be more likely to buy from a .com than a blog? Would you prefer one over the other? Or does it not matter? That is another issue I am debating! Decisions, decisions ....! Your thoughts?????

Evan's first music lesson with Daddy

I thought I would post a few of the videos that I have taken! Plan on adding more, but have learned that it is not cute to talk baby talk when the camera is rolling! The past videos are a little annoying (thanks to me) because of my voice. I am learning very quickly to keep my mouth shut! :)



I posted last week about this video. I heard music coming from Jason's DJ room and
when I peeked around the corner, this is what I saw. My little man hanging out with Daddy!
Evan is getting his first music lesson from Dad! Priceless!

Update time!

Playing in his jumperoo

He has figured out how to control his tongue ...

Sitting up in his Boppy like a big boy!

Starting to fall over -- looking at a reflection on the ceiling.

Silly bath boy - our spa treatment for craddle cap

Evan and Daddy jamming out to some of Daddy's music!
(video is even more funny)

Bath time in the big boy bathtub ... even splashing with a smile on his face.

He loves his blankie - even loves to chew on it!

Evan is 16 weeks this week - or one week from being 4 months (depends on if you are counting by weeks or months). He has accomplished so much just since the last post. He is starting to sit up a little when holding my fingers. He is still hunching over, but we are working on it! He is giggling and smiling more each day. A giggle is a treasure to get, but when you do ... it is the best little sound!

He has been starting to get interested into the TV. Mom isn't too sure about this, but this is the only way that I can get anything done. He likes to watch some corny cartoon with people dressed in bright colored dog outfits. They are a band and it is called Rags! Another is called Between Lions - about puppet lions. I am loving PBS during the day! He is sitting in his swing to watch Baby Einstein, at times. And he is able to play more and more with his jumperoo - which is his favorite! We used to have to stuff a blanket behind him, but he is able to sit up on his own. We put a pillow under him so he can reach - but he is nearly tall enough to reach the floor now!

He continues to blow tons of spit bubbles and is drooling all the time. Laundry is done more often around here because of all the bibs we go through so quickly! He is starting to hold on to his toys and bring them to his mouth. EVERYTHING goes in the mouth! He has to have his little blanket to help him sleep, and is sleeping the entire 4 hour stretch each night. He is going to bed at 7:30pm and waking up between 8:30-9AM. And we feed him is bottle, lay him down, and walk out of the room - without a peep! He is even taking four 30 minutes naps a day - what a great little guy!

He has discovered how to control our tongue and are constantly sticking it out. Mommy always does this to him! He likes to make a 'ggggggguh' sound and loves when you call him a 'big boy.' He will smile from ear to ear with an open mouth! He also knows how to control our arms and hands a little better and stick our hands in our mouths - sucking away at those fingers! Never a day passes that I do not have spit on me - and I absolutely love every minute of it!!! It all changes when it is your own child!!! :) Mommy is absolutely astonished at how fast time is flying by! To think that we had him four months ago. He was so helpless and little at the beginning and now finding his own personality. I am loving to watch the transition!

We had another appointment with the Genetics Clinic at Children's Mercy this past week. He is now 15 1/2 lbs and 24 inches long. He is in the 90th percentile for his weight and 75th percentile for his height. He is a tall, chunky boy! I felt a little judged when they decided to talk to me about my childs eating habits. They seem concerned about how much he weighs and how it will be if it continues on. I, however, assured them that I am feeding him - only when he is hungry! I felt as though they think that I am putting a bottle in his mouth all the time - even when he is not hungry! At first it really bothered me, because I am only doing the best I can. But then, I put it aside and realized that it is better that his is eating, instead of not eating. If he wasn't eating, we would really be in a jam - because of his enzyme disorder.

My mother-in-law escorted us to the doctor, since I had worked all weekend and his appointment was on Monday morning at 8:45. Therefore, I worked all night, met Linda at my house, she drove to the doctor, and we went to the dr's appointment, lab, and pharmacy. Boy was she a great help - both physically and mentally! Jason had 2 co-workers off and could not get off for the appointment, so she came with me for support! She assured me that Evan is not overweight, that we are doing a good job, and that Evan will thin out when he starts to crawl and move around more! She was my mental support when we went to lab and Evan had to get stuck twice - which ended in not getting the labs for the 2nd time! We are trying to find out if Evan has a diagnosis that is mild or severe. They tried to get blood from him when he was younger - to test his DNA - but they were unsuccessful then, too. Linda was tucked in a corner, while mommy was trying to distract Evan and calm him down! He had real tears ... it was soooo sad!

It was a hard day for me because it made me realize that we are probably not going to be having any more kids, truly. Depending on Evan's diagnosis, if mild or severe, our next child will most likely have the gene and it will usually be more severe than the previous child. I cannot imagine having another child when I know the chances of them having this disorder. It is manageable, but it just seems cruel for us to even take that chance. We feel completely blessed to have Evan, and would feel complete just having our peanut. However, a part of me would love to have the option to have another. I think it is just so difficult for me, simply because I am not able to make that choice on my own. If it were not for the gene that Jason and I have, I would be able to make that choice solely based on not wanting to have any more children. We are content with one, but I am always going to wonder. On a good note, we will not miss a single special moment that Evan experiences, because we will be consumed with him! And, although I know it is completely possible, I just find it hard to love another person as much as I love Evan. It is hard to believe that my heart can stretch even more and give even more love than I give my two favorite boys! I love Jason more and more each day, but I have a different kind of love for Evan. Every mother knows exactly what I am talking about - it is just indescribable!

I really cherish every single moment that we experience! I am finally feeling like my life is back to normal (well, as normal as it is going to get), and we have this sweet little guy that has entered our lives! I am constantly taking pictures and videos, playing with Evan and watching him smile and giggle, enjoying seeing Jason be a great daddy, and taking in every new experience and milestone that we accomplish. I truly love being a mommy and having a family! It is the best feeling in the world!!!

Sitting in his swing watching Baby Einstein

Mesmerized by the green, shiny seahorse!

Just like Daddy!


His new rhino PJ's - the tall boy

So serious ...

Our big boy turned 14 weeks last wednesday, which I am just now posting about! In the last couple of weeks, mommy has been slacking on keeping up with each week. However, I have not slacked on taking pictures of our little man! :) Evan is changing by leaps and bounds each week!

He now mimicks (or at least tries) the different sounds that we make. He loves to blow spit bubbles - sometimes getting so excited that it turns into a mess. He really likes his new jumperoo and has now started to spend time in his swing, watching Baby Einstein. Sunday, he had his first purposeful laugh, while playing with Daddy! He has yet to do it again, but we are just waiting to hear that little chuckle again! Daddy always has him smiling, holding him in the air and pretending Evan is superman. He even likes to hang upside down!

Last Friday, we dove into the world of teething. He has white gums and is constantly sucking on his hands, our hands, grandma's hands, or whatever he can get into that mouth! He is a little drooler and has a stuffy nose from time to time. We had a rough night on Friday, but things have been getting better and we are able to better control the situation. The kid LOVES to chew on a washcloth that has been in the fridge! Once again, anything and everything in the mouth.

Saturday, Daddy and Evan were hanging out. I suddenly heard Jason's music playing and peeked into Jason's 'studio' to see what was going on. Evan was sitting on Jason's lap and they were listening to some smooth music. Evan was enjoying the different flashy colors and shapes on the computer screen, as they morphed with the beat of the music. It was sooo stinkin' cute! And it actually entertained him for 45 minutes! Daddy is starting him early - teaching him the ropes in the Smith Studio!

Evan went to his first friend birthday party, took mommy out to dinner for her birthday, has turned into a fish in the water, and is gaining more and more of a personality within the last couple of weeks! He loves to smile, play, and is becoming quite the little ham. He eats up all the attention that he gets and smiles sooo big when you call him a "big boy!" We have outgrown our bathtub and are now using the big boy bathtub with a little mesh positioner. Now he can really kick his feet and splash! He is now wearing 6 month PJ's because he is too tall for the smaller size! He is going to be tall like dad. I was tearing up as I was putting all of his Newborn sized sleepers, onesies, and outfits into a bag. I feel like we were just getting all of these clothes out, in preparation for his arrival. Now, we are putting them in bags because he has outgrown them! A sad experience for mommy! :)

A legend laid to rest

Once again, not a topic I would normally blog about, however, Micheal has been a part of my life since I can remember. I remember having the "Off the Wall" and "Thriller" record when I was about five years old. I would listen to them over and over on my parents record player. In fact, I even had the musical "The Wiz" record, which he also sang on. I know the words to nearly every single song and feel carefree and young listening to these songs.

An important and hard time in my life was when my parents were getting more into church, listening to what the churches beliefs were on movies, cartoons, music, and life. My favorite cartoon at this time was the Smurfs, while my favorite music was the three records that I mentioned above. We had collectors Smurf drinking glasses that were sold at Pizza Hut, back in the day. My parents, due to the church, started to believe that the Smurfs were evil because of magic, and any music, other than Christian music, was bad. So my parents made me put my Smurf glasses and all three Michael Jackson records - along with some other here and there objects - into a trash bag. We took the bag onto the back porch and took a sledgehammer to all of them. Afterall, they were soooo evil!

Sounds crazy, I know, but this was a very bitter moment in my life - even as a young child. Therefore, as I have grown up and listened and watched whatever I wanted - Michael Jackson has always been a part of my music collection. I even married a DJ that plays "Billie Jean" just for me at parties so that I can get down! :) If you even know me, you know that this is my FAVORITE song - even probably thinking of me when you hear it! What a classic! How ironic and sad that one of my very favorite musicians and dancers would pass on my wedding anniversary!?!

Today, watching the memorial, was almost like I was losing someone close to me - although I have never even met this legend. However, I have always been intrigued by him, his music, his accomplishments, and his charity to others. I know that he may be considered an odd person, but we are all believing what the media feeds us. Maybe he is guilty of different things, but he is a great person. In fact, I read just the other day that he is in the World Records Book for being the celebrity who has donated the most money to charities. He also has a record for having the most charities that he gives to! He used his money to help others. I do not deny that he was weird, but why is everyone so quick to judge him based on what the media says? Don't you think that the media is going to automatically focus on someone who lives a strange life? Duh!

Anyways, this is my tribute to Michael Jackson! He is and will always be an important person in my life, as child and adult. He has made an impression in my life, and I am certain that there is not too many people out there who could deny that he touched their lives in some way. RIP Michael - your legend will live on forever - you are and will always be the greatest!!!

Here are a few songs in tribute ....

Happy Birthday to Evan and Mommy!

HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY EVAN!!!


Evan's 2nd swim - complete with his stud glasses!

Evan's best friend, Ayden, on our swimming date!

Napping under his makeshift tent for shade.

Daddy couldn't get his shirt off over his head. Mommy's
Michelin man!!!

Evan getting ready for bed

Our new doggie PJ's

The sweetest face ...

Playing with his hands, as always!

His new Jumperoo - he still has some growing to
do before touching the ground!

Looking up at his birdie

Hanging out in his bouncer.

Peek-a-boo

Relaxing in his boppy

A shirt like Daddy's - "I love Nike's ...just like my daddy!!"

Playing in his boppy!

Today is mommy's birthday ... and Evan's 3 month birthday! I have teared up a few times today, just thinking about how fast the time is passing. When people tell you "they grow up fast," you cannot even comprehend how fast it really does go by. Although many hours of the last 3 months have been a blur, and I continue to do some silly things, it is a special day - but so bittersweet! It is overwhelming to think that we quite possibly are not going to ever go through this experience again (if it is up to Jason), so I have been trying to take each and every moment it. We continue to try to adjust, figure things out, and be the best parents that we can be!

Evan has turned into a little cuddler, even more. He likes to cuddle and suck on your arm! Yumm! We have FINALLY found something to keep this child entertained - his rainforest jumperoo. He is still too small and cannot reach the floor, but after tucking a blanket and helping him bounce - he loves it! And he look sooo cute in it!!!

He has started to giggle and is smiling much more often. He has his whiny days, but overall, he does not cry that much at all. I guess we have hit that 3 month magical mark that everyone has told me about. (April ... you were sooooo right!) He is becoming much more fun and able to play on his own. He loves to kick mommy and laugh. We have been to the swimming pool twice and he seems to enjoy it. The warmer the water gets, the better it will be! He is my little water baby!!!

Let's see .... he has been drooling like crazy for the past 2 weeks, so I am wondering if his first tooth will be coming in the next couple of weeks! I read that many babies get their first tooth around 4 months - can't wait for the fussiness that goes with that whole process! :) At our last dr. appointment, he weight 13lbs and 12oz. He is a growing boy! He is going through a container of formula in 5 days. Mommy and daddy are going to have to get second jobs to feed this boy! :) He is finally beginning to take naps, although he takes 3-4 thirty minute naps a day. I do not have the luxury of getting an hour or two by myself during nap time. I have been wanting to start an exercise routine, but he just is not going to let me! I have accepted that he just isn't a great nap-taker and we are doing much better. Those short naps are better than none at all! Oh, the life of motherhood and adjusting!!! :)

As always, we will continue to keep you updated each week. I have another post in store, but Evan is waking and not going to let mommy finish until later! Take care!!!