Evan Gooey

Somebody decided to show off for his Mama this morning. And I fell for it hook, line and sinker.

Evan's been here for a little more than nine weeks, and I'm totally smitten with him. As is most every one who meets him.

He's a laid back, go-with-the-flow kind of guy who will sleep just about any where and is happy to snuggle up against any one who's got a few minutes to hold him and warm arms to wrap around him.

He's started to give us a little more awake time - staying alert for two to three hour spans, during which he likes to show off that smile, charm us with his flirty face and let off some coos. Since we brought out the bug play mat, he has added that to his list of favorite awake time activities.

While we enjoy watching him play and playing with him, he still ranks nursing as his all time favorite thing to do. He's got a healthy appetite - and it shows. At last week's two month well visit, he weighed in at 12.5 pounds - putting his older brother, who didn't weight that much until his four month visit, to shame.

A growing boy like that finally earned himself a nickname. Meet Evan Gooey. It started out as Papa and I calling our babe Evan Rooney, which Lane quickly caught on to. Only his version comes out as Evan Gooey. And it stuck.

Odd you might think. However, I like to think of it this way. When I think of gooey, I think of chocolate goodness. Maybe filled with marshmallow or caramel. Something filled with way too many calories to count. Something so sweet and good you just want to devour it.

That's how I feel about my pudgy babe. So, Evan Gooey it is. Our Goo Bird.

And this bird likes to eat.

All that nursing sure works, he's growing like a champ and sleeping like a charm. Since his brother moved in to his big boy room last week, and Evan moved in to the nursery across the hall from mama and papa's room, he's been giving us 9 to 10 hours of sleep each night. After an evening bubble tubbie with his papa and big brother and a little before-bed snack, he goes down around 9 pm, sleeps until 4 am, wakes to nurse, goes right back down, and sleeps until 7:30 am when the rest of the house rises to Lane's calls.

There's still some nights when he will wake twice to eat, and that's just fine with me. I can't complain about a babe who sleeps so well. And to be quite honest, I love snuggling with him and the middle of the night seems to be one of the few quiet moments we get alone together.

While there is still a little bit of envy coming from his older brother, for the most part, Lane's taken to Evan and loves him just as much as the rest of the family. One of my favorite moments between the two of them occurred last week when Lane, armed with his football, came to Evan, who was in my arms, and asked, "Want to play football, brother. OK. Let's play."

My heart fluttered, as I reminded Lane - and myself - that soon enough Evan will be big enough to play football with him.

Sure, each day has its one big hectic moment as we learn to live with two boys just two years and two weeks apart.

At least once a day, both boys will start to cry at the same time - causing my head to spin. Or I'll find myself covered in Evan poo, or find Lane covered in his own poo as we continue to potty train, and I'll ask myself what I got in to.

Then, I'll hear those words come from Lane's mouth, "Want to play football, brother," and I'm reminded of just how lucky I am to have these two babes.

It wasn't too long ago that motherhood seemed out of arms reach. And I can't believe that two years have passed since I held an Evan size Lane in my arms. Sooner than I like to admit, Evan will be running outside to play football with Lane, and I'll be left without a babe to snuggle in my arms.

So I end each day the same way - with a reminder to these two boys that they are the best thing that has every happened to this mama.

They sure are.

And yes, Evan is just that cute. Plain and simple.

Back together

The Three Amigos reunited yesterday. Its been a long month of sickness and surgery keeping these three apart, and I don't think they could have gone much longer without seeing each other.

Every day, one of the mamas would send out a text letting the other two know requests were being made for some bestie play time.

With the go-ahead from John Oscar's doctor, we didn't waste one minute getting to the playground.

The reunion began instantly. Squeals of delight came from our automobiles as each one of us arrived at the park and the babes recognized where we were.

"I need out. I need out," Lane told me, as his two best friends sat in a car together.

They opted out of lunch and went right to the slides, swings and monkey bars - as if they had never been apart.

"Oh Ju Ju," Andrea said. "Oh Lane," she continued. "Come play," she told both of them.

Who can resist a request of that nature?













And play they did. For most of the afternoon, one was always right behind another. They followed each other around playing copy cat and speaking to each other in only a language they can understand.


Baby Evan joined the group - watching from the side patiently waiting until he's big enough to join in on the shenanigans.

At the rate he's growing, it won't take long until he's tagging along. He might also be as big as Jackie soon.




But back to the besties, smiles adorned their faces most of the day. No matter what they were doing, they were happy.

Shockingly enough, we received very little protests when it came time to head out. I think each one of them was ready for a nap.

The babes said their good-byes. The mamas made plans for next week.

Keep them apart no more.
The band is back together.

I said I wouldn't

but I did.


The camo caught me and convinced me to dress them in matching shirts.

Brothers.
Or, as Lane would say, "Brudders."

A little of this and a whole lot of that

Is anyone still reading? If so, guess what. I got a card reader so I can finally download some pictures.

Let's play catch up.

Did I mention Evan caught Lane's preschool ick - and came down with a good case of RSV. Oh, I didn't. Well, he did. That's pretty much consumed our life for the last two weeks.

Like a good brother, Lane spent plenty of time taking care of Evan.

Whether Evan wanted him to or not.

And that is pretty much the face he makes whenever Lane comes any where near. Now, he can hear and see him coming.

Speaking of faces, this one is chunky. And I love it. Really, everyone should have a babe with chubby cheeks. I've had two. And I've spent lots of time kissing those fabulous cheeks.

We've got a smile. He's feeling better and flashing us his toothless grin. Loving it.



Just when I think Evan's starting to sport his own looks and resemble his brother less and less, he flashes me one of these, which is classic Lane.

Or should I say classic Lane and Evan.

(Photo on top is Evan. Photo of babe in blue is Lane.)

Does anyone have any idea how Lane got so big in such a short amount of time.


Let me just say it one more time, this babe is chunky. I like him that way.

By the way, I love Evan THIS much. Just ask him how much I love him. He'll tell you.


There's that look again. The flash of blue and brown in the left corner is Lane. Watch out Evan.


We went to Monster Jam. It was awesome and deserves a post of its own.

More to come.

We celebrated Valentine's Day. The short hair's Valentine, Marley, has been on an extended stay at her Mamaw's house.

Look's like Elly found a replacement. Poor thing.

We didn't do much that day. See above picture mentioning RSV.

I think I cooked dinner. Or, maybe not.

Um, yeah he does.

We had a few nice days lately. Thank goodness. We needed out of the house. I have to beg this kid to wear a jacket when the temperature requires one. Sun shining and he insists on wearing his gloves.

Go figure.

We've been doing a lot to pass the time while stuck inside. Like taking baths in the middle of the day. Or, in the morning.


Evan doesn't mind staring at Lane's Valentine balloons.

And that pretty much sums up our last two weeks.


Kiss on those cheeks, suckers. I know you want to . You can bet I will be.

From us to you

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who's Hoo

If I had not given birth to both of these boys, even I might now know who's Hoo.

We prefer pleasantly plump

Well folks, it is happening again. Time's moving entirely too quick. Six weeks has passed in a blink of an eye. And in that time, Evan's made himself right at home here at our cozy Cape.

While we know his physical features resemble those of his older brother's, Papa and I are finally starting to recognize all the qualities that make him his own little man. Each day, he looks less and less like Lane to us and more like Evan. And, as most mamas do, I'm beginning to wonder how I ever lived without him or what it was like not to know his face as well as I know my own.

He's become that familiar to me in such a short amount of time.

Calling him our little man might seem kind of silly, considering he's tipping the scales at more than ten pounds. Read it again. That's right. Ten pounds. You might ask what we are feeding him - nothing but his mama's milk. And whatever I've got in there seems to be working just fine. Papa and I are pretty sure he's gaining in girth what he lacks in age - as to protect himself from his older brother.

Magically, as if six is the lucky number, this week has brought about an abundance of coos and awake time from our little guy. He still spends plenty of time sleeping; however, now when he is awake, he is really awake. So far, his awake time consists of lying on the floor flinging those long arms and legs about while darting those big eyes back and forth making sure his older brother is no where near.

When awake, if he isn't on the floor practicing his swimming moves or gaining strength in his neck during tummy time, than he's in the lap of his mama or papa getting some well deserved one-on-one attention and begs to show us his smile.

Another fun awake activity is tubby time. He's joined his brother in the big tub this week - with papa as his cushion - and it seems he enjoys being in the water just as much as Lane did at his age. My three boys look like a version of big, medium and small all crammed in that tub, and I just love to watch and listen to the three of them chat it up while partaking in one of their favorite activities.

Our nights seems to move just as smoothly as our days do, with Evan waking twice a night to nurse. He will go down around 10 pm, sleep until 2 or 3 am, wake to nurse, go back down about an hour later, wake between 5 and 6 am, nurse, and then go back down until 8 or 9 am. A mama couldn't ask for a better sleeper - in my eyes.

Speaking of a mama's perspective, I'm pretty sure what I see as I gaze down on my babe's face is different than what any other human alive can see. There's something about the way those tiny lips sit perfectly atop that pointy chin all surrounded by those chubby cheeks and topped off with that bald head that brings a sense of calm to my being. For me, the culmination of all those features fit together perfectly and peacefully - bringing me to project my feelings to papa every night as I snuggle Evan close before putting him to bed.

"Do you see it, Papa," I'll ask. "There it is. That face. The face of an angel."










Oh and just so you know it isn't always angels and sunshine around here. While taking these photos yesterday morning, both boys had quite the loads in their diapers. While the view of those beautiful faces was breathtaking, the smell in that room would have taken your breath away.....

Under the weather rock star

How are things at your place? Here? Well, our little rock star came down with another case of the preschool ickies - this time he has taken his papa down with him.

Poor guys.

Before they fell ill, we, like everyone else, headed outside last weekend to enjoy some much needed warm sun and fresh air. We went to one of our favorite places - Red Top Mountain.

Papa found a perfect family spot for the four of us. A nice little picnic area right on the water. Great for skipping stones, climbing rocks, soaking up sun and enjoying your first ever chicken leg.

While my two big boys threw stones in the water and listened for boats and helicopters, my babe and I lounged around and took advantage of some quiet time.

Which didn't last long. Papa spotted a crow - and since I just happen to carry a crow call in my car (what you don't?) ....

out came the call and on came the noise. Nap time over Bro Bro.

He's got bird calling down pat. He's even perfected his bird calling stance - one leg in the air, one arm twisted behind.

Papa dubbed him a rock star. Get it - because we couldn't keep him from climbing the rocks once we showed him how to get to the top.

Our chicken leg eating, skipping stone, crow calling rock star.