Illness, friends and fun!

It all started last Friday with a call from daycare...pink eye. Off to the doctor. We had planned on visiting all my friends from college and their little boys. We didn't want to get everyone else sick, but doc and my college roommate Amy's husband, who is a pharmacist said with 24 hours on drops still ok to come.

Off we went to Denver/Waverly. Here is a picture of the boys in our bellies last fall.

Here are the boys now...

Lindy and Drew (9 months), Me and Evan (6 1/2 months), Rachel and Jack (4 1/2 months), Amy and Myles (3 months).

Drew pinning Evan (you can't tell but Evan is laughing hysterically)

The boys really not wanting to take the picture - except Myles sleeping away. We had such a fun time with all the boys, the next few years are going to be very very fun! Notice Jack's sock is wet, Evan was eating it.

I had to work a lot lately as we are opening our new hospital so Dad had a lot of duties with Evan. Monday night came along and Evan was up every hour screaming. ugh...back to the doctor to find out ear infection and teething. I can't imagine feeling that bad all at once. He is getting better and hopefully these little teeth will pop soon so he can feel better.

Here is a photo of the work babies too...lots of babies the past year.

Erin and Harper (9 months), me and Evan (6months), Corey and Logan (1 year)

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

6 Months with Elephante

Evan is 6 months old already - wow seriously goes so fast. He is 19lbs 13.5oz (80%) 28" tall (95%) and 90% for head:)

Hopefully this trend keeps up and he'll have a scholarship to Division I in the sport of his choice, except gymnastics.

We are enjoying his new tricks each day, army crawling (like Uncle Eric), rolling back and forth all over the place, hold his own bottle (kind of) and gets to move to 3 real meals a day and Gerber 2's!

Last night Evan had carrots and oatmeal on his hands and Lou got to close and Evan grabbed a handful of fur. Lou ran, Evan laughed and I realized Lou is going to lick that off and probably get sick. I did have a good laugh though.

Mom stop trying to make me sit up.

Evan with Elephante' - so funny!
Look how tall I am mommy!

This is more fun to attack Elephante' - photo session is done!

Here is our little "ghoul" after school.

Thanks to Grandpa Steve and Grandma Kate for watching me and letting me get away with Hawkeye gear! I am good luck - they won! 6-0

Side note - Nick killed Bambi's mom yesterday. Don't quite know how to break it to Evan yet...(everyone is ok). Car yet to be determined.

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

Pumpkins!

Evan went to his first pumpkin patch and apple orchard this weekend, Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge, IA. He loved the hay ride and all the kids running around.

Mom is this one a good one? You are silly mommy.

Grandma Lois, Mom and Evan searching for the "Great Pumpkin"

Mom, Dad and EvanYou mean I get candy this year?!

Mmmm...sweet potatoes. Only dad lets me chew on the spoon. Thanks Grandma Kate for the bib!

Mom why am I sitting on scratchy hay next to this big white thing?

You really can't see, but dad let Evan wear a Hawkeye outfit! It was a miracle and I barely got photographic evidence. He did have a Notre Dame hat though.

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

6 months old and on the move!

First things Happy Birthdady to Grandma Lois!

We thought we had some time to baby proof but nope! Evan is ready to move and he is army crawling all over the place. He started slowly pulling himself places, now he can efficiently move right along. I am not talking speedster, but it is only a matter of time.

Here are some of Evan's 6 months photos taken a couple of weeks ago. He is so photogenic and darn cute, if I do say so myself:) I guess moms can say those things and get away with it.

Evan is also eating fruit and veggies now and again he loves them all! It won't be long before he moves on from Gerber 1's. Funny how my entire vocabulary changes to include Huggies 3's and Gerber 1's.

Off to the pumpkin patch this weekend!Oh there will be photos - Grandpa Dave will be there!

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

Almost 6 months!

We got Evan's 6 month photos done last weekend - a little early, but it was the only weekend that worked. Hdre is a link to those photos.

http://dianamandernach.zenfolio.com/p27508382 - password is varcoe3

Evan is rolling and rolling and rolling all over the place. He also can pull himself to something he REALLY wants on the floor. Lou and Fiona better watch out!

I forgot last time to share Evan and Grandma Kate's adventures in Chicago over Labor Day. Amy, Nick, Aunt Lindsay, Future-Uncle Ben, Great Uncles Bill and Mike went to Notre Dame for the home opener. Evan and Grandma walked all over Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville. I guess he even met some friends at the park, but Evan has learned Russian yet so there was a language barrier. He'll learn in due time.

Lindsay and Ben's engagement party. Varcoe girls -Caitlin, Erin, Lindsay and me.

Evan has been sick with tummy bug and it hasn't let up at daycare either. Something new posted each week about illnesses. Fun winter ahead I am afraid! Here is Evan with Grandma Lois after throwing up. Breaks my heart...

Fun and busy fall ahead of us!

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

Carrots, Rice and Packers - oh my!

Evan has been a busy little boy. He started carrots for the first time and once again loved them!

Also Evan continues to love his rice. Bottles are for babies and Evan thinks he is a big boy with all the food coming his way. He likes to do things by himself like put his pacifier in his own mouth, hold the spoon with rice and carrots on it and put himself to sleep. He hasn't quite mastered any of them so it takes awhile for him to accept help:)

The Packers had a big win over the Bears, but as you can see from this picture he was a little nervous at kick off.

Evan plays very hard and sleeps hard (at night) too. Naps at school are only if there is nothing else he is going miss out on. Zonked on his play mat - staying up late with Dad while Mom was gone.

He also had the flu last week. It is getting around at daycare and spreading quickly. I think we are in for a winter of lots of illnesses. Time for a flu shot for the whole family when Evan is 6 months!

And here is his 5 month Elephante picture. He is so happy to be 5 months!

He gets his 6 month pictures on Saturday - love the fall!

Love,

Amy, Nick and Evan

Cubs game

Evan is 5 months old and eating, sleeping, rolling, playing and laughing like a healthy little boy should. He is sooooo much fun. I love this age.

My parents came to visit, which isn't rare:), and we took Evan to the I-Cubs game. Nick's favorite Cubs player is Jeff Samardjzia, former Notre Dame player. He has been up with the Chicago Cubs a few times and is back with the Iowa Cubs. So we all got dressed in our gear and headed to the game. It was 62 degrees in August for an afternoon game...you would have thought it was football season.

Family pic...

Evan bundled up with Dad.
Mom, Evan and Cubbie Bear

Eating cereal with his "Wee Irish Blessing" Bib.

My Grandpa Hilson wears overalls like this almost daily. I had to take a picture for Grandpa!

We are off to Chicago and Notre Dame this Labor Day weekend. Evan will not be going to the game, but will be dressed in his Irish gear for sure.

Love,

Nick, Amy and Evan