Evan Turns One!

Thursday, May 19th was Evan’s actual birthday, but we decided to throw his party on Saturday, May 21st. We were so excited that Meme, Judy, Megan, Preslee, Alaina, Heather and Addison came to town for the big celebration! Since Evan loves the monkeys on the Baby Einstein DVD’s, so we opted for a Monkey theme.

My aunt Judy (JuJu) made the cutest “Happy Birthday Evan” banners and cupcake toppers. Alaina painted the prettiest monkey centerpiece and helped Mom with the vines that we put over all the doorways. We were so excited that Meme, Judy, Megan, Preslee, Alaina, Heather and Addison came to town for it – they were all SUCH a big help! Also, big thanks to my mom who helped me run all my errands on Friday to get ready for the party…couldn’t have done it all without you!


Brett was king of the grill and made hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. We also had chocolate dipped bananas (aka “Monkey Tails”), animal crackers, peanuts, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, banana punch and fruit kabobs. Alaina made scrumptious cupcakes – chocolate cake with banana-flavored frosting and banana-flavored cake with chocolate frosting. Mmmm! My friend Adrienne is a professional cake baker, so I had her make the main cake. I was thrilled with how it turned out. Tyler helped himself to the fondant monkey that sat on top. All in all it was a great party and we were so blessed to have our friends and family be a part of Evan’s special day. I can’t believe my precious baby boy is one year old.

A little piece of advice that was given to me by many: don’t wish for the next big milestone (i.e. crawling, walking, talking, etc.) because it all goes too fast, and before you know it he’ll be walking across the stage a graduation. I can honestly say that it’s already going by too fast and I do definitely cherish every minute with him. I love you EBO!

9 Months!

Evan turned 9 months old on February 19th, and boy, has he changed! He had a great checkup with Dr. G…weighs 23 lbs, 12 oz and is 30 inches tall already! That’s 95th percentile for weight and off the charts for height. By the way, he’s wearing 18 month clothes now!! He has his two bottom teeth and is working on 4 top teeth (two of which are coming in now). He’s still not crawling – who needs to crawl when you can scoot everywhere on your rear!?!? Actually, he’ll be crawling any minute, but would probably rather skip it and walk. He can stand with support for long periods of time and LOVES to do so. His favorite time is when we stand him up in the play pin Grammy loaned us. We have to make a really big deal about it and he’s all smiles and giggles! He even lets go with one hand to pick up toys and way “bye-bye” which he did for the first time on Valentine’s Day.
His newest discovery is opening and closing the cabinet doors, drawers and microwave door! We say “open….close” each time he does it and he just thinks it’s the best thing ever.
His nanny (Miss Edna) got him a swing for the tree in the front yard and he is having a ball with it! She also takes him on daily walks to the park where he tries out the big boy swings too. He’s certainly growing to be a fun little boy with lots of curiosity and new discoveries each day.

Meme got him this cute pillow pet puppy for Valentine's Day!

Learning how to stand on my own!

Mmmmm...biter biscuit!

"What are you laughing at??"

Snow Day!!

Snow days is more like it! Evan was super excited that his Mommy and Daddy got to be home for 3 extra days last week thanks to the artic front that moved into the area. :) I worked Monday and Thursday, and Brett went in Monday and Wednesday. The roads were terrible here after the sleet on Tuesday and below-freezing temps the remainder of the week. Brrrrr! You would think that after that many days off work our house would be spotless, the oven would be gleaming inside and the spice cabinet would be organized alphabetically, but nooooooo. Quite the opposite in fact. We're glad to be back in a routine even though it was fun while it lasted.

Brett is studying for the final part of the CPA exam, so be thinking about him and send lots of luck his way next Monday! I know he'll do great, and he's certainly ready to have it behind him.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm. Recent photos below:

On another note, Evan and I took a trip to Fort Worth to see his cousins, Aunt Jenn/Uncle Tom and Nonna last weekend. Evan was super excited to see Tyler, Grant, Blake and Carter. That night, Nonna and I took him to his first fancy dinner - not knowing it was a white table cloth, candle light and fresh-flowers kind of joint. It was pretty funny when we busted out the baby food and bib in this place, but the rodeo was in town and every other place was packed. I know - we should have just gone to Mickey D's - ha!

Updates

Wanted to give a quick update on Hank's status. Last Saturday was a very difficult day for us, but once we met Hank's foster mommy we were sooo much better (I pretty much cried the whole day). Julie was the sweetest lady ever, and has a female Vizsla named Reba. She sent us an update and said Hank and Reba were having a ball playing together and were even sacked out on the couch that very night from playing so hard. It was comforting knowing that Hank was having such a great time and being treated like family (i.e. getting to be on the couch like he did here). Julie said she hopes Hank is placed in his new home soon, otherwise she may be too attached to let him go!

On another note...several of you have asked about Evan's first Christmas. Well, he definitely loves wrapping paper! Unfortunately, Christmas went a little differently that we had planned. We actually spent the wee hours of Christmas Eve morning in the E.R. Evan had croup and a double ear infection...poor little guy. He was a trooper and smiled through it all. Thank goodness Grammy & Grampy came to have dinner on Christmas night with us - otherwise it would have been a pretty sad holiday for us. Oh yeah...Evan also cut his two bottom teeth on Christmas Day! Again, poor guy was already dealing with croup and ear infection...top it off with teething and what a crummy time for him! All in all it really was a good weekend. His Nonna and Grammy were able to spend some time with him because his nanny, Edna was on vacation. He loved every minute of his quality time with the grandmas.

Brett is studying for the final part of the CPA exam, and I'm just working. Trying to get back in a workout routine, but hasn't happened yet. I really need some motivation!

Happy New Year to you all!

Sad Day for the Osterkamps

Today we're taking our dog, Hank to his new home. He's such a sweet, loving dog but he has a TON of energy. Since Brett and I both work full time, poor Hank isn't getting the attention and exercise he needs and deserves. After much deliberation and many tears, we've decided that finding Hank a good home would be best. We're going through the Vizsla rescue group so that we know Hank is going to be placed in a good home that knows this breed and the exercise/attention they require. It's definitely going to be a hard day for us all.

Give Thanks. Walk!

As you may already know my nephew, Tyler was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2010. He recently returned home after 6 months of successful treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thanks to the amazing support from the St. Jude staff, Tyler received the best possible treatment and care during this critical time in his life. I had the opportunity to visit the hospital and must say it was an experience I will treasure forever.

On Saturday, November 20, I am participating in the Give thanks. Walk., benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. As I walk, I have challenged myself to raise money to support the lifesaving work done at St. Jude -- and I am asking for your support to help me reach my goal. This is our way of giving thanks for all St. Jude has done for not only Tyler, but for the other children and their families that have been touched by the incredible works of this facility.

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?eventId=110423&programId=601&userId=542764

Good Friends

What a fun-filled weekend! My dear friend, Kathryn came to visit this weekend with her daughter, Emily. We all went to Mia's birthday party on Saturday and had such a good time catching up with our friends, Dave, Jennifer, Kathleen and Keith. Jennifer B. went all out on Mia's party - bounce house, food galore, great music, cutest cupcakes ever and my personal fave...COTTON CANDY! So cute!

Kathryn with Mia, Evan and Anne

That night we took the kids to Joe's Crab Shack for the outdoor play area (super idea, Kathryn)! Sunday we went to the mall so Emily could play on the indoor playground. Naturally, I forgot the stroller at home so we borrowed one from the concierge desk. This thing was called "the turtle" and was gigantic. How you're supposed to manuver through the stores & aisles with that is beyond me, but I'm just happy I didn't have to carry my 20 lb. baby in his 20 lb. carrier! Whew!

On another note, since we had to "fall back" with the time on Saturday night I completely forgot about Evan being confused on his bedtime Sunday....oops! Since I didn't plan accordingly he was exhausted at 6and went down for the night without his usual bath and bedtime routine. Needless to say he was wide-eyed and bushy tailed at 6:15 a.m. Monday. Oh yeah...he held his own bottle for the first time! Go Ebo (his nickname for those of you don't know: EBO = initials)!!! My little boy is growing so fast. :(