Ouch

Dear Everett,

Your teeth are really sharp. And they hurt. A lot. When you are all grown up and reading this... you owe your Mama a big yummy dinner AND dessert!

I love you,

Mama

Christmas Pictures

I mention a video of the grandkids' "picture day" in the post below. I put it together for Mimi, Papa, and Uncle Adam - now I will share with everyone who couldn't be there and hasn't seen it. :)

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

December: Week 5 of Trip

On December 18th I took mainly videos. But, it was the day that Everett started waving, "hi!"

On the morning of December 19th, Emily discovered that Mama and Mimi had done a lot of wrapping the night before! So, she spent some time putting all of the presents under the tree...

and later that afternoon, Susan and Lucy came over to visit! (Lucy is 11 weeks younger than Everett)
Emily was napping when they arrived so the babies had a lot of time to just play with each other...
(Please note "the claw" - Everett is ALWAYS holding on to something!)

before a final picture and farewell.
On December 20th, we drove south and met up with some friends at a park! When we arrived, Emily was proudly showing off her baby brother/stepping in to guard him/making sure everyone knew who the baby belonged to!

We did our best to snap a picture of the whole crowd (L-R: Jack, Adelyn, Everett, Emily, Josh, Grace, and Mike) - thank you for meeting me Katie and Kristy!! There is NEVER enough time to talk!

December 21st marked Everett's first word. He consistently says, "hi" when someone approaches and when he waves. It was also the day that Everett first tried a Baby Mum-Mum. They are new since Emily was a baby and I think they look like cuttle bones for parakeets. But, I gave him one anyway. Here's how it went. Right away he put it in his mouth.

He bit down and managed to get a good size piece off.
Feeling what was in his mouth he looked down to check out what was left...
before it registered. "There is something mushy, tasteless, and BIG in my mouth!"
"Oh wait, Mama has the camera. Must look like it doesn't bother me."
(I haven't given him Mum-Mums too many times. Maybe he would like them a lot more now.)

On December 22nd, we excitedly drove to pick up Daddy from the airport! Yahoo!!!
On December 23rd, we went and had pictures taken for Mimi and Papa's Christmas gift. (I will share the video I made of the event.)

Then, December 24th - Christmas Eve finally arrived! That morning, Daddy and Emily made cookies for Santa...
and Everett learned that it was almost time for his FIRST CHRISTMAS!
He was excited!
That evening, we went to mass...
ate dinner with the whole family at Mimi and Papa's, and Emily made sure to put out treats for Santa and the reindeer.
Christmas Eve - the best night of the year!

Best Friends

I was collecting these pictures for something else but ended up here. I LOVE how they love each other!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

December: Week 4 of Trip

December 11th was a day of "firsts" for Everett. He saw his first Christmas tree...

had prunes for the first time...

(After the initial shock of the tart, he liked them!)

and bathed with Emily for the first time.

As I posted before, he started (army) crawling around on the 12th and 13th. Then, on December 14th we drove north to visit some friends. That afternoon, they couldn't resist putting him in this little cap.

And Mr. Happy...
couldn't resist the bell at the back door.
On the 15th we had a surprise lunch with Daddy who was in TX on business for the day. We were all REALLY happy to see him!

That is also the day Everett started his new squinty smile.

On December 16th we just hung out and played around with our friends before driving back to Mimi and Papa's house that afternoon. This trip marked the first time Everett saw dogs in person - Jake liked to be nice and close to Everett.

Before leaving I did manage to get a picture of Everett with Elizabeth...
and Laura snapped this one of him with Ben...
before the final group shot of all the kids. (see Everett's smile here too)
On December 17th we stuck around the house and Emily decorated the Christmas tree all by herself!
Maybe next year Everett can help.

Eight Months

Everett was at the doctor on the Jan. 6th for two shots and weighed in at 22lbs. 6 oz. He will get full measurements at his 9 month well check on February 8th.

*Bonus Picture*

Flag Day

October 28th was "Flag Day" in our house - we were making gifts for Nana, Mimi, and us. Since Nana and Grandpa were in California visiting (but left for a day trip) we had to work fast! First up, Emily!

Her almost 40 handprints made the blue and stars.
Then, once Everett woke up from nap, it was his turn! In preparation, I went out to the garage and brought in and assembled the Jumperoo to help me. I also rolled Emily in, still in her highchair from lunch, to watch.

That way she could be a great cheerleader but remain contained - out of the way. :)
Everett's cute feet were our stripes and he did a GREAT job!

And 111 footprints later,

he had earned his binky...

and some beautiful red toenails.
Now... how long until Memorial Day?!

* our gifts have only just recently been opened, hence the timing of this post