Dear Evan-17 Months Old

Hi Evan-
There is so much to say that I know I am going to forget something important here. But I wanted to try to touch on all of the important parts of our past month. Daddy and I love watching you grow and discover the world! You are so curious and want to know everything about everything!!

You make you wishes known to us. You are such a good communicator. Now instead of only pointing you will take us by the hand and pull us to where you want us to go or to what you need help to do. You are so social. You love people. You chose certain people and approach them and start up a discussion. Whether it is showing them what you have in your hand or expressing interest in what they have in theirs. You love others kids. You love to watch them and want to do what they are doing. You have found a new word this month. "Baby". You love to point to them in books and at the grocery store or at the park. You are amazing with books. You know so many object names now. When asked you quickly point to the right object and trying speaking the word. You favorite things in the world right now are: TRUCKS; Mommy and Daddy; Did I mention TRUCKS?; Cats; Dogs; rods-anything that has a stick attached like a broom or an actual wooden rod, rocks; climbing; running; playing peek-a-boo; hiding your face or body under things like blankets, sheets or baskets; water-you love everything water related, bath time, ocean, fountains and puddles. We take you to the beach everynight before dinner. You love it. Whenever we walk past the steps you point and make a swoosh sound like a wave washing by. You make so many sound effects. They are GREAT!! As you can see from the picture above, you love sand and will just sit and play in it with your hands. You love to put it over your head too!

You have so many more teeth now. I think you have 14. It is a constant pain for you. It is so sad to see you in pain with them. You are on a growth spurt right now because you cannot get enough nursing time. As soon as we finish within 30 minutes or so you want more.

Grandma came to see you this past month. You greeted her with a perfect "Grandma" at the airport. I think you melted her heart with that one special word.

You love to call role call with Daddy and me. You will go around the table and say each of our names and then clap with a huge smile. "Mama" "Dada". We will ask "Where's Evan?" and you will point to your chest and smile and clap some more.

You have changed my world. I love you so much and I am so proud to be your Mommy.

M

I Can See You

Evan does a perfect downward facing dog. I often wonder if it is all the yoga I did while I was pregnant. But nonetheless he does it perfectly. He does an updog too. Today at the park Steven caught this shot of him and I looking at each other in our poses. I think Evan does a better pose than me! He will laugh as we look at each other looking upside down. He almost does a somersault too. He cracks me up!

Happy Mother's Day

We had a nice Mother's Day. My Mom is here. When we met her at the airport Evan looked up at her and said "Grandma". He had never said that word and was said so perfectly and purposeful. I melted his Grandma's heart. Good job Evan!

This afternoon we went swimming at the new beach club. It was relaxing and fun. What a perfect day. Evan had a blast swimming and playing in the pool with Daddy. Evan was a little nervous at first as he hadn't been in the pool since last summer. He quickly warmed up to it and everytime he got out and warmed up he wanted to get right back inside the water. We are going to have fun going there this summer.

Backwards and Forward

Today Evan and I were outside playing. This seems to be our day now. If we aren't outside Evan is asking for us to go. I was in the kitchen and he came to me, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door, placing my hand on the door knob. I think he made is message to me pretty clear!

I have been teaching Evan to jump and run and to hop. I realized that I had not taught him to walk backwards. I was playing around and started to run backwards and laugh. Evan saw me do it and laughed to and before I knew it he was walking backwards too.

Mommy and Me

Evan Pictorial Update-16 Months

Dear Evan-16 Months Old

Dearest E!
It is so much fun to be with you. You are all over the place! All you want to do is be outside. As soon as you get up in the morning you go to the door and stretch to reach that door knob.

You love to run and play at the bluff. We spend hours each day there. It is our own "backyard". We like to kick the ball and throw it to one another. You are getting really good at kicking and throwing. You even throw over handed now. We are working on learning how to jump, skip and hop.

Your favorite thing in the world is trucks. You point and yell at each truck we see.

You shake your head yes in answer to our questions. You respond to so many requests and questions. One day I was just talking to you and asked you to do something not expecting that you would and you went right over and did it!

You love books (especially one that has a truck!). You can point and identify so many things when asked. You have started singing to yourself. You will hear Mommy or Daddy singing and after a few minutes you can hear you try to sing a song.

Yesterday we were in the grocery store and as we were walking down an aisle a baby and his Mother were walking past us. In a perfect voice you pointed and said "Baby!". I had only recently heard you say that word and it was so fun to see you identify something new so clearly.

You love water. Anything water. We will walk past a gardener watering plants and we will stop and watch. You love fountains and we visit all of them in the neighborhood. We have 4-5 close by. We went to Kids Space in Pasadena this week. There were all sorts of water activities. You were so happy. I can't wait to take you to swim this summer. There is a new beach club open to the public here in the neighborhood. It should be perfect for us to go all summer long!

You seem more into sharing now and understand the concept. I see you offering a drink to Sofia or giving a ball to a new friend at the park. You love people and seek them out when someone interests you. You have a few favorite people in your life (that is besides M + D!) Gianni-you love her and give her kisses when we leave her; Monica-Our neighbor, you always respond so well to her and give her many smiles; Dave-our old neighbor(now friend), you love him and will reach out for him to pick you up. He is the first person outside of M + D that you have done this for. It is neat to see you open your circle of trust. You are such a people person and like to watch faces. We started a new music class this past week. We are taking it with Sofia. You like the instruments and the activity but always get a little overwhelmed by the end. I think it is too close to nap time and groups always make you a little overwhelmed. I think you are all ready showing a preference to one-to-one.

You are taking one nap a day. You usually go to bed between 8-9 and sleep until 7-8am. You are getting longer by the minute!

We love you so much. It is so wonderful to watch you grow.

Love-
M