Evan's First Birthday

Look who's ONE!!! Today mark's Evan's First birthday. And it was a day that we (including friends and family) felt blessed to share with Evan. I couldn't help but think back to what life was like one year ago. And when I look at Evan now, I don't see that little sick baby in the NICU... I see the overzealous typical boy who can't wait to grab everything and run around like the big kids.

To mark the special Day, Evan and I went up to UHC to visit. It was a nice fall day for a drive. Evan got to show off his skills and his dimples.

Then after Dan came home, we went to Chuck E Cheese's where Evan really had a chance to play. Then we took Evan to Toysrus to pick out his gift.

Check out Evan's special Day... and it was such a good day that Evan was knocked out before we got home.

Importance of Communication and Teamwork

Going into marriage, I knew that not only is communication important and required, but so was working together as a team. It's been two years now and we've done pretty good.

2005 brought our wedding and buying a house. I did the grunt work on the wedding and Dan did the grunt work on the house. It worked out GREAT!! Last year during the pregnancy, I did the grunt work on the baby and baby gear and prepping and Dan took care of everything else, including me... he took care of the house, food and me. After Evan was born, Dan and I shared responsibilities around the house and concerning Evan. I mean, I can meet friends for dinner after work and not have any concerns of Evan's care b/c he's with Dan.

BUT... the one time I planned an event... the one time I didn't communicate to Dan what was going to happen and what the exact agenda was for Evan's First Birthday Party was the time I most needed to... b/c he had to do it on his own!!!

That's right. I spent weeks preparing the menu, agenda, games, favor bags, supplies, desserts, cake, camera moments... I planned it all. Then 15min after it started, I accidentally ate something that had peanuts. YIKES!!! Being someone who is allergic to all types of nuts, this wasn't a good thing. I took a benedryl hoping I'd feel better. We did the cake and was preparing to start the games. But then it happened... my allergic reaction came flowing forward and I was hauled up in bed for the rest of the party.

It suddenly became Dan's responsibility to entertain the guests, take care of Evan, and "Throw the party"!!! And since I never communicated the agenda, or the planned games, or the prizes, or even the location of the favor bags for the kids.... it all just didn't matter. Luckily, my cousin Sigrid was there and she helped Dan... for example, she decided it was time for tea and coffee and then time to leave.... little did they know, folks were having so much fun, then stayed for a second cup.

So I beg the question.... was it a bad party? Evan had fun. I think the guests had fun.... the first guests began to leave around 4. And for a party that was scheduled to end at 2:30... I think 4 is pretty good.

So that was Evan's party... he had his friend Christopher and his cousins Samiah and Emma and also Emily and Andres... we had friends and family for CT, MA and NJ and Toronto join us for the special celebration. Yet the day reminded Dan of our wedding... where he only got to speak to folks for no more than 3 min and had to keep running around between Evan and the kitchen. And the day reminded me more of 1 year ago the days following Evan's Birth Day... I was loopy, sick, and totally out of it!!!

The next morning, Evan got to enjoy his gifts and his balloons. I got to enjoy breakfast and sunlight. And Dan got to enjoy doing nothing.

Unfortunately, we didn't get any photos during the party... we got some of Evan opening his gifts, but none that the party existed. I do have hopes that my friend has a couple of photos... but if not, this party will definitely be ingrained in my memory as the most memorable birthday party.... YET!!!

Lesson learned for the future.... I won't take "sole" responsibility on such events and I'll fully communicate my wishes and desires... and hopefully avoid this in the future... The key to communication is TEAMWORK!!!

Undefeated 9-0

What a game... we knew that it would be a good game.... or a major blow-out but didn't know who would come out the winner. A strong Patriots fans for years, I wasn't confident they'd survive the Colts. After all, the Pats and Brady don't fair well in the dome of Indy. It was a sad and rough first half... turnovers, penalties and interceptions left the Pats in the hole.... they aren't used to that this season. But classic Brady and New England, they brought it on in the 4th and won 24-20.... and yes, Evan was wearing his Brady jersey.... the true reason the Pats won!!!

OH... speaking of Evan, did I mention that he's started climbing the stairs today.... boy are we in trouble!!!

Halloween!!!

If you haven't heard, Evan was Tigger the Tiger... He was going to be a baseball player, but his lost his red sox baseball cap (only cap he owns) at the zoo last week. So he was Tigger.... and what a cutie he was. I tried to take photos of him next to the candy, but he was more interested in eating the candy.. go figure. And for some reason, he'd always pick up the nutty ones. For those of you who don't know, the nut allergy can be deadly in my family (as I have an allergy to all nuts)... but he didn't break the wrapper in those. Evan even went trick or treating. Is he too young? Yes, but it was more of an excuse to meet our neighbors and say hi to the 2-3 that we know. He was shy... can you believe Evan shy? And when presented with a bowl of candy in front of him, did he grab for everything. No!! He simply went to grab, look at me or Dan, take his hand out, look at me again, put his hand in and look at the neighbor... and never took any candy. But by the time we got to the last house (4 out of 4) he just drove in and took it. When we got home, it was our turn to hand out candy. And we didn't have that many kids this year. And there wasn't any one costume that stuck out and said... "THAT" was the best. So while we waiting for the kids, Evan got a hold of a KitKat. Since he didn't get into the others, we thought there wasn't anything to worry about.... next thing Dan knows... there's KitKat on the floor, all over Evan's face and he's smacking his gums with a smile! Guess he liked it. Oh, did I mention that my brother has an allergy to chocolate. The fear came upon us.... but nothing happened. Not adverse reaction... Thank the Lord!! Evan enjoyed seeing all the kids and their costumes. Even though he was tired, he still raised his head when he heard the knock on the door.

I hope every had a happy and safe Halloween!!!

Washington DC

Last week, Evan and I had the opportunity to join Dan in DC. Dan was attending a week long training and I figured why not join him! It was Evan's 2 plane flight and after we barely made the noon flight, Evan just snacked the whole ride (about an hour).

It was a week of many new sites for Evan and some old for Dan & I. We had nice weather the first half of the week and rain the last few days. But it was fun. Check out the photos.

We saw all the monuments: Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson... the memorials: WWII, Vietnam, Korea... the museums: National Zoo, Natural History, Air & Space, sculpture garden, African, and a couple other random ones... plus shopped at the Ballston Mall, Pentagon City, and Union Station.... and even had time to have dinner with old high school friends and watch those Red Sox WIN!!!

It's been almost a week since we've been back, so I'll just give the highlights:
1) Evan had a hard time adjusting b/c there were so many new things to see (places, people, trains) that he didn't nap much.... that lead to unpleasant times for all.

2) Evan arrived in DC with a cold. That meant a runny nose and much spit up (post nasal drip). And he ended up sleeping in our bed b/c the hotel crib just wasn't comfy and he'd wake crying... didn't think our neighbors would appreciate that at 1:00AM.

3)We went to the National Zoo and Evan flipped out. I think he was tired and hungry. He got so upset that he wouldn't eat. He cried for what seemed like an hour, as I dashed through the zoo looking for the Giant Anteater exhibit to hide and nurse. He was definitely better after that. But unfortunately, the sun was beating down on us at the zoo. And the protective mother that I am, I put a hat on Evan's head... Evan hates hats, but didn't fight the Red Sox hate his daddy bought him (Dan stood in line for about an hour in Fenway during a game for this hat). Well, when I wasn't looking, Evan thew the hat.... it is lost.... and you KNOW no one is going to turn that hat in to the lost & found the morning after the Sox made it to the World Series!! I felt so bad.

4)We went to the Natural History Museum and again Evan freaked out. And in the giant rotunda, his cry echoes! So we went outside onto the National Mall and walked to the Capitol as we waited for Dan to be done with class. And the moment we stepped outside.... he was find. We passed through the butterfly garden and what a fascination Evan took. We perused the outdoor sculpture garden and so some "interesting" pieces. And once at the Capitol's reflection pool, Evan got out and did some exploring on his own.

5) The Air & Space Museum was so good for Evan that we went 3-4 times. Not only does it have a cool interactive exhibit on "how things fly", but it has unpopular exhibits that Evan can roam and be free. Not to mention a room meant for babies and moms. But Evan would roam for about 30 min or more and then tired himself out. I could then explore that museum or another in peace :) It worked for everyone.

6) Out last day, Dan finished training around 1:00 or so. It was a day of purely POURING rain (of course this pouring of rain occurred after Evan and I were already out). Dan met us at the Air & Space. We stopped at McDonalds for lunch (b/c in the pouring rain, you choose the most convenient--inside the museum!!). Evan had his first french fry (hope he enjoyed it b/c he won't be having another for a long time). But the one thing Dan wanted to see was the Mint... where they make the money. So we hunted it down and trekked in the rain... and missed the last tour @2:00. Mighty disappointed we were. So then we headed to the Natural History Museum (b/c Dan hadn't been yet on this trip) and it was near the Metro stop anyway. Evan slept during our first part of journey. Woke in the Minerals and Rocks exhibit and even got to climb some of the different types of rocks. This was our last day in DC.

7) We headed home on Saturday and again.... barely made our flight. Just didn't take into account a different schedule on the weekends and repairs & delays on the lines. Yikes. Evan LOVED being home and adjusted w/o a problem. He's sick now and we suspect it's the croup... and the triage nurse at the Dr office agrees. But he did sleep last night after a small dose of Benedryl.

Oh, I almost forgot... our habitrail.... we stayed in the Hilton in Arlington... which is connected to the mall and another building (housing a Manhattan bagel) via tunnels and such. So you never had to step outside... and neither did Dan for his training... just walk through glass tunnels/walkways and buildings... strange but true... made you feel like hamster... just looking for that wheel!!!

OK... have to go... but just wanted to end on this note... The Sox Rocked!!! What a series for those who watched it... can you believe you would witness not 1 world series win but TWO!!!!