4 Month Update

Would you believe our little man is already 4 months old?!?!  Hard to believe how much can happen in such a short period of time!  Evan had his 4 month check-up and shots on June 23rd.  He's growing like a little weed!  His official weight is 16.5 pounds and he's 26.5 inches tall (up 4.5 pounds and 2.5 inches in the past 2 months).  He was very brave throughout the appointment...the shots are always harder for me than they are Evan.

We had our first spoon feeding experience last week...messy but fun!  He's swallowed a little bit, but 4 tries in, he still putting most of it on his Bumbo seat.

Other developments in Evan's skills include reaching down and grabbing both feet with his hands.  The then pulls them up as far as he can towards his mouth (which isn't very far...but he tries).  So cute!  It resembles an awkward yoga pose preformed by a pot-bellied first-timer...but he's pretty proud of himself and JJ and I get a kick out of watching him.  Evan loves having his diaper off and rolling from side to side as well as staring into mirrors and admiring his handsome self.  He's been trying very hard to sit up, but isn't quite there yet (his 'abs' just aren't strong enough).  It's amazing how much he's grabbing, 'talking', singing and SMILING!  The boy loves to smile and laugh...we are so blessed with such an amazing and loving little guy!

Evan's First Road Trip!

Last week, we journeyed up to Cedar Falls to visit Beau, Michelle, Dylan and Jack.  JJ and Beau played in Beau's Member-Guest golf tournament Thursday-Saturday, so Evan got some quality time in with the cousins.  Evan really enjoyed having company in the backseat of the car all week...much more fun than being by himself!  Jack and Dylan were quite amused with Evan's smiling, cooing and (of course) his spitting up.  Jack seems pretty excited to have a boy cousin and was anxious to share his old clothes and blankies with Evan as well as show him how he jumps off the diving board.  It was really cute to see him so excited!

While in Cedar Falls, Evan had some first-time experiences including swinging... (Jack was very helpful with the pushing).

   

...and a couple trips to the pool.  He wasn't too keen on the actual swimming part, but he was a big fan of the noise the fountain made.  In fact, on day two at the pool, he was so tired he decided to nap...by the fountain.

               

Evan even had his first real babysitter experience on Friday night when JJ, Beau, Michelle and I went to the club for dinner.  I was a little nervous and kind of sad for a moment but, of course, everything was fine and Evan was all smiles when we returned.  I think he even was kind of sad to see the babysitter leave!

All in all it was a great weekend.  We returned Sunday to do a little Father's Day celebration of our own before heading to Mom and Dad's for a Father's Day edition of Sunday Night Supper (Prime beef tenderloin!  Delicious!).

June

Only a few new things to report from the DSM Beecher home front.  Evan is rolling over now (from back to front) and very close to being able to roll from front to back.  He's loving sitting up in his bumbo or in the baby 'exercaucer' with all the bells and lights.  He's a full-fledged "grabber" now and nothing is safe from his little fists if it's within reach.  

Last weekend, we participated in  "Walk Now For Autism" here in West Des Moines.  We walked on Team Ben, for my bosses son, Ben, who is on the spectrum.  But, it we also walked to support my cousins (Evan's second cousins?) who are all touched with Autism as well.  The walk was fun, the weather was beautiful (mid 70's and partly cloudy) and Evan enjoyed being carried by Andrew's Grandmother, Gam (my sister's husband's grandmother) for the majority of the time.

There is one bit of exciting news and that is the news of another baby on my side of the family!!  Andy and Lorena are expecting a little nino in January next year.  We are all so excited and looking forward to the growth of the Sunday Night Supper crowd by one (again).  We are all such a fortunate bunch!  Evan is hoping for a boy, but we'll be ecstatic with whatever the stork brings.

...and it's summer

Temps in the 90's: check.  Heat index over 100: check. First cutting of hay and first polo game: check, check.  Yep....it's summer! Even though the calendar says it won't be here for another week or so, in Des Moines the season is full blown.  Evan got his first ride in the tractor...he repeatedly reached out and grabbed the steering wheel as if he was ready to do it on his own.  Evan is 100% JJ Jr....I'm just thankful we have insurance agents in the family because I have a feeling this boy is going to wreck a lot of vehicles, tools and toys on his way to 18.

Being the ripe old age of almost 15 weeks, Evan is smitten with being outdoors, which is fantastic when it's so hot outside because it wipes him out for the night.  We spend as much time outside as possible.  This week, that included lots of walks, 2 polo games and a couple evenings worth of social hour on the patio.  Thanks to the outdoors, coupled with our daily trips to the gym (weekends excluded), we have had 4 nights in a row that Evan slept from 10:00 until 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning.  It's so weird not to wake up to him fussing!! But, I have to say, it's pretty nice to feel like I have enough sleep.

Evan has been much more vocal lately.  He coos and hums quite a bit...it's almost like he's talking to himself.  He's so close to being able to roll over, too!  He practices by pulling himself onto his side using toys hanging from the bar in his pack-n-play and he has figured out how to turn the pages in a book. We put him in his 'Johnny Jump Up' for the first time and he absolutely LOVED it! I'm still amazed at how fast he is growing and changing.

We're in the middle of a big week, including some time at the office for mommy, a duty I still have part time from home until we find the perfect replacement for my position.  I'm thinking it's a good sign of the economy that we have only seen 2 people who would have come close to filling the position...where are all the normal people?  I have to admit, it's nice to wean myself off of the job slowly. But, I'm excited to hand the keys over and watch the new person do awesome things for the companies.

JJ is in total farmer mode, as usual this time of year.  The construction of the new barn addition is on hold until hay duties are finished.  JJ's in the middle of getting the first cutting of hay cut, baled and stacked.  His phone is constantly ringing with questions and favors asked from the neighboring farmers and workers and his to do list grows and grows every day.  Evan and I tag along in the tractor when possible, but we know the more we leave Dad alone, the sooner he'll get done and come spend time with us.  Thanks to the long daylight hours, JJ works from 7 in the morning until 9:00 at night, which makes for short family time, but it's the life we love.  I am so looking forward to the day we have our own farm and can take pride in the crops, hay and farm as a family.

Sweat It Out

After reading the previous post, you are probably all thinking "Jenny, that's a horrible diet for somebody with so much baby weight!"  And, I would have to agree with you.  Being pregnant with Evan, I gained 70 pounds.  I lost the first 45 breastfeeding, but I've come to realize that the last 25 are going to be a struggle. Since eating is my favorite social activity and baking favorite pass time, that leaves weight loss responsibility in the hands of my long lost friend - exercise.  So, I bit the bullet and re-joined the YMCA.

I looked at other gyms in the area, but it came down to child care and the YMCA seems to be the only place that offers it at a price I can afford. I like our local Y here because there is a particularly scary kickboxing instructor that has a way of making you want to work past any physical limit you thought you had.  I'm not quite physically ready this class yet, but it's my goal for next week.  I love the different elliptical machines they have as well as the stationary bikes that make you feel like you're participating in a video game as you ride.  The free wellness instructor will be handy in helping me find exercises that target areas I really need to work on, too.  My 'lunch lady' arms are already sore from weightlifting...a sign that I'm doing something right!

Beyond exercise, going to the Y will give me good practice being away from Evan for periods of time.  It is difficult for me to leave Evan in the hands of other people, especially people I'm not familiar with.  I only worked out for 30 minutes on the first day because I was terrified Evan was crying or needed me or wasn't getting cared for properly.  He was fine, although a little fussy.  The woman in the daycare kept telling me he was just hungry, despite the fact that he'd eaten a lot a shortly before getting dropped off.  I'm pretty sure they didn't check his diaper as he had suspiciously full one when we got home.  Today, the woman told me, again, that Evan was hungry, hinting I should drop him off with a bottle. It pissed me off because I know he's tired and just needs a nap (especially when he passes out as soon as he gets in the car).  I keep telling myself that Evan will get used to it and stop being so fussy with them.  I'm debating taking some milk for them to give him, although, I think the women there need to figure out how to soothe a baby in ways other than just feeding.  It annoys me that she talks to me like I don't know what my own child needs....  Oh well, this is what I need to practice having patience with.  Otherwise, I'll end up shacked up at the farm forever, too afraid to do anything for fear of situations similar to this.  Every day is such a learning experience!

Memorial Day Weekend

Evan's first Memorial Day weekend! Of course, any weekend is exciting for Evan and I as it means we get to tag along with JJ while he does random projects and helps out various neighbors (the poor guy never gets a break during summer months).  It makes me excited for when Evan is actually old enough to help his Dad (although I dread the day he's not my little baby any more!).  On Saturday, Rhett came to town, so we barbecued burgers and hot dogs at the farm with Boydo and a few other friends.  The weather had been rainy and gray all mornings so we took advantage when things cleared up in the evening.  Evan got to spend some time hanging with the guys, propped in his swinging chair on the tailgate of the truck.  Getting practice in for official tailgate season this fall!  

On Sunday we ate a huge breakfast at the Waveland Cafe in Booneville, accompanied by Bloody Marys for Dad and Uncle Rhett.  Evan and I sent the guys off to golf at the Legacy in Norwalk while we enjoyed some time shopping with forgotten gift cards at Bed Bath and Beyond.  After golf, JJ, Evan and I (and Jim) headed to my parents house for the traditional 'Sunday Night Supper'.  Being that it was a holiday, the menu included a more-than-usual plethora of various foods in copious amounts.  This included smoked chicken and pork loin, barbecued ribs and salmon, hashbrown casserole, bean salad...and so on.  Chocolate cake and rhubarb crisp were the toppers to the indulgent meal.  Mojitos, fine whiskey and red wine were flowing throughout the night, too.  A food fest for sure (which prompted my decision to get a gym membership after the holiday)!  It was a particularly exciting Sunday Night Supper as it was the first time little Ainsley made an appearance, which meant we had the whole gang together for the first time.  Andrew brought a camera and snapped some great shots of the babies and festivities.

Monday was a lazy day...and much enjoyed!  Of course, the morning was spent (once again) running equipment to neighbors who have solicited JJ's free time for assistance on their own farms.  But, we ventrured to Martensdale for some award winning tenderloins at the Roadside Inn....which were accompanied by french fries and beer.  The afternoon included naps (JJ and Rhett included) followed by a brief cocktail hour (Busch Light) with Staudt, Ras and his fiance Cassie.  Mom and Dad swung by and dropped off leftovers from the night before, so supper was just as delicious as the previous night!  After that, JJ, Evan and I finished the day by putting out round bales for the horses and watching some ominous clouds roll in from the west.  

All in all, it was a very enjoyable weekend and couldn't have asked for anything more!  We're all very excited for the rest of the summer, hoping it brings many more family and fun filled weekends!