11 month Elephante

We had two major milestones yesterday...(March 14)

• Evan waved bye-bye on command. He doesn't do it all the time, but he did it several times for us.
• Evan also stood against the couch and took 2 steps toward Nick! I of course started crying and laughing so hard it got Evan all excited and he wouldn't do it again. But it was progress and made me so happy!

Sorry for the delay on the 11 month Elephante photos - these are getting interesting to say the least. Since now we like to push Elephante around in his car.

Lou please come out.

 

Pretty please... (notice Lou's paw up ready to swat.)

Can I touch the sign?

Ok I will just attack Elephante

Ooo....is his new phrase to say. We tried to get him to sit with the yellow ball, not working.

But mom I am so cute!

See I am smiling - CHEESE!

Ok, fine.

Off and walking

He loves any type of ball, orange, yellow, big, small - he loves them all! (Orange in the mouth and yellow on the car.)

Another ooo picture. he does it when he wants your attention, pretty cute.

 When anyone walks through his room at school he will "ooo" at them and they have to say hi Evan or he gets ticked. Social bug!

Three weeks until the big birthday party.

love,
Amy, Nick and Evan (guest appearance by Lou)

11 months

Our little bug is on the move and fast and just celebrated his 11 month birthday. He is getting braver and more determined to walk/stand by himself. He just hasn't mastered it quite yet. Nick and I think maybe by his birthday, but then again we aren't in a hurry.  This past weekend we made out a "mama" several times and a muffled "dada". I don't think he knows what he is saying, but I think he is talking to us.
Grandma will you make Lou come out of the cabinet?

He got a wagon from Aunt Lindsay and Ben at Christmas and we finally put it together...big mistake. He thinks he can push it through the house, yes a big wagon in our not so big house. Makes for some interesting turns and marks on the walls.

Here he is getting pulled around. At one point yesterday I asked if wanted a fan and some grapes.

We took him out in his sled for the first time since it has been so cold. We have had plenty of snow, just haven't been out with the cold temps. He didn't hate it, but didn't I wouldn't say love either.

However we love swimming, especially when his buddy Drake gets in the water too.

Grandma brought yarn!

I got a new car seat too! I love it, even has a cup holder for my soda, ok water will do.

Mom has been planning my birthday party too. I don't know what she has up her sleeve but I am excited, less than a month away now!
 

Love,
Nick, Amy and Evan

Olympics and swimming round 2

We, meaning me, finally got the courage to leave Evan for more than 36 hours to head to Vancouver for the Olympics. Nick and I had been planning this for a couple of years, before we knew little Evan would be in our lives.  Luckily we have fabulous grandparents who could come and watch him while we were gone.

Grandma Kate came the night before we left and assured us all would be ok. We left and Evan was still sleeping in the morning. We got this photo and new he was going to be fine.

We had a great time in Vancouver and Seattle. The Olympics were amazing and the weather couldn't have been better - 60's and sunny! Luckily we were busy because it didn't allow for much time to wonder how Evan was doing, but that doesn't mean we didn't text and call daily.

Here are a few pictures from Vancouver:

Nick and the moscot Quatchi

USA vs Norway hockey

Nick and I at the torch

Nick and I at the hockey game

Here is a couple from Seattle:

I only cried once and that was when we were delayed getting home and my mom said Evan was already asleep when we got to Des Moines.  But I couldn't get up fast enough in the morning to go see him.  It is so hard to leave him, but from the stories from all the grandparents, yes all 4 were around to watch Evan, he was in good hands. One night the "weather" was a problem, so all 4 grandparents were on Evan duty. They ordered pizza and were totally captivated by one little boy. 

Grandma Lois and Evan

Nick took Evan swimming for his second lesson last week before we left and he loved it! I think he is teaching Nick a thing or two.

Evan has also learned that he can push anything around, ie the snowman, Frosty.

Lou is constantly on the run now too.  Evan got his tail and wouldn't let go, all Lou did was hiss. I was so scared he was going to bite, but he didn't.  The funny thing is he licked his tail for a minute and back to Evan's side he went. I tried to tell Lou to run, but I guess he hasn't learned that from Fiona yet.

love,
Amy, Nick and Evan

Water babies!

Evan loved his first water babies class. He splashed around, sang songs and drank a little bit of water. He laid on his back with his feet crossed, but didn't seem to mind being on his back.

His friend Drake on the other hand wasn't a huge fan of the class. Next time he will...well for Megan's sake I hope so:)

At home ready to go.

Waiting to go in the pool.

Getting read to go with mom.

Watching the fountain in front of him.
 Big boy standing in the pool.
 His other favorite thing to do is steal Lou's bowl.


We had a scary moment regarding Evan's puppy. Most of you remember him and know Evan loves his puppy. Last week Dad dropped Evan off at school. I called over to see how he was doing in the afternoon, not realizing puppy went missing. A kind soul found puppy, cold, dirty, and on the verge of hypothermia from laying in the parking lot of daycare all day.

 
We gave puppy a bath and got him under a warmer and it seems like he will make a full recovery. Unfortunetly he hasn't gotten enough courage to go back to school with Evan yet...aka I keep forgetting him!

Evan getting in mom's cuboards. Thank goodness Grandpa Dave put on latches.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,
Amy, Nick and Evan with puppy back home

Walking and Climbing

Here are a few videos of Evan walking, climbing and over all on the move!

10 months old today

We will start with the Elephante pictures. Only 2 more months of these and they are getting tougher to get a good picture:)

10 months - notice the top teefers are inOh you again?! You are mine...put 'em up.

Your turn sign...

Blah! Sit here, yeah right!

Last night I was rocking Evan to sleep and it dawned on me that he is as old as long as he was in my belly. Make sense??...anyway 10 months old today. I started to think about his birthday party already:) I love thinking about him eating his cake...he can be a little aggressive with food and his sippy cup.

As you can see he loves sticking out his tongue now. King of the Varcoe house
Uncle Eric is my buddy.
You are funny Uncle Eric - now come here let me bite you.Oops, I got caught attacking mommy's shoes.
Shake, shake, shakeWe've had a few milestones...

1. climbs steps

2. Loves to eat most anything - don't feed him mixed vegetable though

3. Got his two top teefers! (thank god, back to sleeping through the night)

4. walks with his walking toy - does laps around our house

Go buddy! Off I go! Seriously mom I am fine, geesh. (Yep my face says it all)The best part about him walking with the toy is watching him get stuck. He doesn't quite know how to backup and move the toy. I looked at Nick and told him Evan is more like him than we thought - frustrated = get mad. Evan will just grunt and yell until you help him move the toy. We are working on the patience thing.

Love,

Nick, Amy and Evan