Birthday Party Number Two

Evan had a great Second First Birthday Party on Saturday. Surrounded by friends and family, the day was filled with Football watching, Ping Pong (followed by beer pong after Evan's bedtime), lots more toys, yummy food, and MORE fish cake. Here a couple more pictures of Evan enjoying the cake and then discovering the plastic plate it was on was much more fun to play with!!!

First Boat Ride

We took Uncle Kevin and Jenn to Winter Park today for a little lunch, shopping and a boat ride on Lake Osceola. We were on a quest to see alligators for Jenn, a Seattle Native, who has been hoping her whole trip to catch a glimpse of one. No alligators were seen by us, but we did have a great time!!! Even Evan did great, (after he got used to the life jacket) especially for an hour boat ride scheduled right at nap time. Towards the end of the ride he put his thumb in his mouth and fell fast asleep. We had a great day, and again, don't want Uncle Kevin to go home!!!

Playin with my new Birthday Toys

Evan is officially SPOILED. I know you "can't spoil an infant", but I am fairly certain you can spoil a one year old with more toys than I have ever seen in one room!!!!

He is VERY LOVED by many people. What a lucky boy.

Priceless moments with Family

Here are a few pictures of Evan and Grammy, Uncle Kevin (my brother) and his girlfriend Jenn. They came into town to celebrate Evan's first Birthday. We had a wonderful time and so wished they all lived in Orlando so we could hang out with them all the time!!

70% Bitter 30% Sweet

This post is not for guys. I don't think I have many guys anyway who read my blog, but anyway...

This is a sad week. I have almost finally weaned Evan. It has been 12 plus months of bliss, well mostly. We are down to one feeding a day. And the type A person I am has planned it all out by the day. Next week at this time will be our last feeding.
I think I am going to celebrate with extra strengh crest white strips, a diet red bull and vodka (i don't even like those, but it has three things I have been denying myself) and a tuna roll with a side of grouper!!! I also wanna get that facial whitener that will help get rid of all these splotches that have come with 21 months of pregnancy and nursing!!!!

Maybe then I won't be so sad!!! It truly is bitter sweet, because I am super excited to have my body back, but bummed not to share those moments with Evan.

Just a few pictures looking back at those quiet moments with Evan (No breastfeeding pictures, I will spare you that). Well, as quiet as you can get with Grammy in your face with a camera!!!

Evan's Birthday Party Pictures

If I missed you in the mass email, please check out Evan's party pictures on our photographer's website. She did an AWESOME job. There are a ton of pictures in two categories, so check out both the Family photos and Party photos. Just go to the link below and put in AbbyS in the proof password section on the bottom left side of the page.

http://www.rachelmartinphoto.com/

Caught in the act

People told me when I was pregnant that my dogs may not be as important to me once Evan was born. They were wrong, I love those dogs so much and I have plenty of love to go around to Evan and Corky and Farley!! If I had to describe myself in ten words/phrases, Animal Lover would definately be top ten. Corky and Evan have a great time together, and Corky actually puts up with the physical abuse Evan gives her on occasion. Farley isn't quite as sure of him, and I can already tell you when he starts walking, she is not gonna know what hit her. Right now, she usually manages to hide from him. But her days are numbered. Anyway, I happened to snap this bottom picture as Evan was shoving Corky to the side and I thought it was so cute, I had to post it. Thanks girls for putting up with Evan, you are troopers!!!

Feather weight competitor, Evan, weighing in at 20 lbs 4 oz.

Today was Evan's 12 month check up. My little guy has only gained a pound in the last 3 months and is only the 15% for weight. I am not too concerned because he is still breastfed and is very active, which can often times lead to slow weight gain. But it doesn't help matters that he doesn't like to eat that much, because it takes away from playtime, his favorite past time. Otherwise, he is doing great. He is 29 and 3/4 inches. He got lots of shots today, poor thing, but he took them like a champ. Here are a few pictures of my boo bunny with all his boo boos!! (Paul hates it when I talk all mushy or when I say cheesy lines or plays on words- but oh well. I am a cheese-ball).

Alligators, Turtles, and Baklava.. Oh My!!

Today we visited a resort called Gaylord Palms, about 20 minutes away from our home. It's a very beautiful place, and HUGE!! It has gorgeous pools, lots of shopping and really cool restaurants. Plus it is divided into areas: one is modeled after Key West, one St. Augustine, one the Everglades, etc. They have ponds inside the atrium area with Alligators, turtles and lots of huge goldfish. One of the restaurants there is famous for their Sunday Brunch, so of course we had to try it. It was VERY pricey, but well worth it. They had everything from prime rib, and french toast to chocolate fondue. I was in heaven, they even had baklava, my favorite. Of course I had to take this opportunity to take lots of pictures of Evan. They had wonderful lighting and awesome backgrounds so I couldn't pass it up. By the end of our trip Evan was covered in water, but it was worth it, because I am pretty sure he had a great time.

Birthday Party Number One in the Two Week Long Event called Evan's Birthday

Evan had his playgroup over for a birthday celebration yesterday, and I think it was a success. My dear friend from Jacksonville, Melissa came to help me out, and that was a MAJOR relief. Because of her I was able to relax and enjoy watching Evan with his friends, play with his toys and make a mess with green icing. I stressed over this party for 6 weeks and in the blink of an eye, it was over. But it went really well. I am so thankful for my new friends here in Orlando. It was really hard when we moved here, leaving my friends and family when my little guy was only a few months old. But my playgroups and my new friends and their adorable little ones have made the transition so much easier. We had a photographer here to capture all the special moments, so I didn't take a single picture during the party. It's killing me right now, I can't wait to see the pictures. THe only picture I took is of the cakes. I think they turned out a little better than the practice cakes and they actually tasted pretty good. I will post the pictures I get from the photographer soon!!! But all in all, it was a great day!!!

By the way, Evan got some AWESOME toys, he played until he dropped last night and this morning. What great friends we have!!!

Birthday Boy

We had a great day yesterday, starting with music class followed by swimming in the pool. He got pancakes in the morning, shaped like the letter "E" followed by mac and cheese (with peas snuck in) for dinner. A meal fit for a king!! Here are some pictures taken at the pool. I sware he does smile, but I couldn't catch any good ones yesterday.

We are looking forward to two birthday parties coming up. One with ten one year olds tomorrow, and their mommies, and one with friends and family next weekend!!! Its a two week long celebration!!!

Happy Birthday Evan

One year ago today at 8:12 pm, I became a Mom. Thank you Evan for making me a Mom and making our lives complete. What a wonderful year it has been.

Also, thank you Jenn for helping me edit some of these pictures, they look great!!