He-Man is 5 Months Old!

5 months ago today JJ and I saw Evan (or "He-Man" as we sometimes call him) for the very first time.  I can't believe how quickly the time has gone since then!  Even more unbelievable is how much Evan grows and changes every day. He's rolling and scooching all over the place, he comes up with new noises daily, he eats cereal mixed with a few veggies or fruit daily and he's thinks cartoons are the most hilarious thing in the world.  He loves his books and stuffed animals and bath time has suddenly become a fun game of "How Much Water Can I Splash Out Of The Tub?".  Evan's sleeping habits have him sleeping until sunrise, although lately he's been waking up a few times at night to have his pacifier put back in or for a quick snack.  But, compared to those first few nights at home 5 months ago....he's come miles!.

HAPPY 5 MONTH BIRTHDAY E.R.B.!

Chatty Chatty

Evan is napping right now (he's been particularly fussy these last few nights), so I'm taking a moment to try and figure out how to upload videos onto this blog.  My phone is chalk-full of videos of our little man, but they are all to big for me to text or e-mail anyone.  Anyone else out there have an HTC EVO who has figured out how to e-mail or text videos to people??  Pretty annoying to have such an awesome camera phone and not be able to share my endless, yet fantastic, footage of Evan laying around and chewing on his feet...it's pretty ground breaking.

Anyway, Evan has become super chatty lately.  He enjoys rolling from his back to his front, chewing on some toys, then flipping over to his back again.  It's safe to say, the boy is starting to move.  He's developed this little scream that is pretty ear piercing, but tolerable - and a little cute - when he's making it as a result of a good mood (when he's pissed and makes this new noise, I worry about the windows breaking).

In other Iowa news, I'm done with my regular responsibilities as Jon's executive assistant.  It feels good to know the replacement I've trained is excited to fill my shoes.  I'll miss it, but I'm staying on the payroll on an hourly basis as there are still a few things that will need my attention in the future.  JJ has his second cutting of hay down, but it's been so incredibly muggy and hot, it's taking a while to dry out.  Thank God the tractors all have fantastic AC.  The lovely Iowa weather has granted us what's shaping up to be a full week of extreme heat (highs in the 90's, heat index toward 110).  But, at least the corn is growing!  Despite the heat, JJ is still working like crazy.  His day's don't end until 8:00 at night, and sometimes later.  So, Evan and I tag along when possible, sneaking in family time at the feed store or in the tractor (which Evan loves).  Last weekend, Evan cruised with Dad in the big tractor while Jim and I manned the little tractor to move bales.  We like to think we're pretty helpful...but there is definitely room for improvement.

Evan got to meet my Uncle Kirk (my dad's brother...can you see the resemblance??) who was in town with 3 of his 4 kids last week.  I haven't seen him since I was a little kid on family vacation years ago, so it was fun to catch up.  It's so special how one baby makes 2 families grow.

A Fabulous 4th

Overeating.  The word that describes the main reason holidays were invented (in my opinion). Our little family enjoyed BBQing with friends and family throughout the weekend.  We hung out pond-side with JJ's friends Troy and Jeff, eating way-too-much pork and ribs.  Of course, the Busch Light was plentiful, too. Sunday Night earned the prize for "most indulgent meal of the weekend." We hosted Sunday Night Supper at the farm and had a blast.  King Crab legs and 2 types of paella cooked by my Dad, stuffed and grilled jalapenos, asparagus, watermelon, focacia bread, strawberry rhubarb crisp plus various appetizers of ample calorie counts were accompanied by martinis and wine.  We love to eat. Period.

Other news is none-too-out-of-the-ordinary.  I begin training my replacement in the office next week, which will be nice to have over and done with.  JJ is working crazy hours, as usual this time of year.  The last few days he's easily worked 14 hours with 3 hay fields to cut/bale, a huge polo tournament at the farm this weekend (20 players in town) and the construction of the indoor arena under way.  I am mandating that JJ teach me how to run the tedder and the rake for the hay so I can help him when days get crazy.  Plus, Evan and I like to get some good tractor time in.

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.