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!!!