Going on 7 months

Hello all -



So I realize it has been about 5 months since the last post so I definitely need to update!! Evan is finally a pretty good napper so I have about 1 1/2 hrs (hopefully!). I at least updated pics in January, but I definitely should get some more on there because he has changed so much again!



Month 3 of Evan was pretty busy with the holiday. We went home to South Dakota for a full week. Everyone was able to make it except for Uncle Don and Aunt Sarah. Uncle Brent helped pick out the fave gift of Evan's first Christmas: A Johnny Jumper. Not just any ordinary Johnny Jumper - this one comes with toys in front, songs, and exclamations such as "Let's Jump!" I could hum all the tunes on that toy, no problem! December was also the prep month for us to get ready for the ever dreaded tax season. Looking back I know there is only one reason we have made it this far - Thank you for all your prayers and support. We couldn't have done it without the strength of the Lord and all of your support. Highlights from the last 5 months included the following:



Our friend Katie Imholte came to visit the 3rd weekend in January. She definitely helped me realize I can get out more with Evan. Saturday we started out the day around 10:30 shopping, then we went to eat at BBW's, then we went right to Katie's Aunt & Uncle on the west side (about 1/2 hr drive), then we went to Renee's on the way back home, and finally we ended the day at home with a tired baby who had not yet mastered taking naps especially on the go. Whew...we took the week to recooperate from Katie's visit, but it was definitely good to see her. She helped out with giving me quick easy meals to make and freeze.



That weekend was the first time we met our friend Preston. He is 2 weeks older than Evan (and about 5 lbs lighter, haha). His mom Lindsey works with me at Baker Tilly. Evan didn't know what to think of another baby in his house and in his Johnny Jumper, especially when his mom started holding him. It was a lot of fun to see them interact.



He started to find our toes around 4 months. He still grabs them every diaper change. He even enjoys sucking on them when he get them up there. When he does this it usually a story time as well.



First week in February was my first travel job. Evan took his first trip to South Dakota without me. We met Grandpa and Aunt Beverly in LaCrosse, WI. Of course right before I hand him over we discovered he had the worst butt rash EVER. A quick trip to Walmart was in order to lube up the bum with Desitin and vasoline for the remaining 5 hrs drive. He did pretty good on the trip, sleeping most of the way. As expected though, he was done in Sioux Falls which was exactly when I called to check in. Grandpa seemed a little flustered, but he managed to get back to Bridgewater. I made sure with a lengthy email that Grandpa and Grandma knew how to take care of him. Even though they raised 7, I was unsure how they could handle Evan! :) They survived - and even had a trip to Great Uncle Roberts shop and hung out with Cousin Sydney. The two Grandpas took quite a few pictures of the two around the shop. When I first saw them all, I thought for sure one of the Grandmas was along or at least Megan (Syd's mom). Nope - it was just the Grandpas!



Grandpa and Evan then came back Thursday night so that I would be able to see Evan on Friday. When I walked in that night, Grandpa was sitting in the rocking chair with Evan laying right in front of him grabbing his feet AND everything Grandpa would need sitting all around him - diapers, wipes, formula, bottles. Grandpa looked up at me and said "We're stationed!" Then I noticed a new toy sitting nearby to which Grandpa responded, "We just bought one, only one toy!" Of course, it was a toy that is suppose to encourage crawling. Grandpa hung out through Saturday and then had to take off as he didn't want the 300 head of cattle he purchased to shock Grandma.

At Grandpa and Grandma's Evan was starting to hold himself up more and more. Pretty much right at 5 months, he was sitting on his own and even bending over to pick up toys and pulling himself back up. He still has too big of a tummy on to roll over.

The last week of February, I had a job down in Atlanta, Georgia. Grandma came up Thursday through Monday to help out. Then from Tuesday to Friday, Evan had his first sleep over experience with Preston. Lindsey and Chris took Evan for the week. They had fun playing with the boys in the morning and at night. The boys had a really good week of sleeping through the night. Preston and Evan became pretty good friends. One morning Preston was up first and in a sour mood. Evan got up and ready, and Lindsey set Evan down beside Preston who immediately started to cheer up.

Aunt Heidi decided to take her spring break in Madison the first week of March. The help was amazing! I didn't have to do day care drop off or pick up, and I got a home cooked meal at night! Aunt Heidi didn't always enjoy Evan's wet kisses like Mom and Grandma so she decided to teach Evan to spit. He now entertains everyone with his noises and sticking out his tongue. Aunt Heidi also declared by Thursday that she was going to hire a nanny when she has kids. I guess being woke up at 5:00 - 5:30 AM is not her cup of tea. She also pretty much greated me at the door with Evan in hand. Aunt Beverly and Grandma joined on Friday. Aunt Beverly made it one night with us and chose to sleep at the hotel the last night. Evan had his first outings to sit down restaurants and did really well sitting in the high chairs. We also enjoyed sometime in the pool at the hotel. He didn't know quite what to think about it.

These last few weeks have been gorgeous out. Evan has been sitting on Mary's porch waiting for me to pick up a few of the days. Mary said that he recognizes my car and when it comes into sight he follows it all the way to her drive way. I'm super excited for spring and a chance to play outside more and more with Evan. One last big job is this week and then we are home free! Back to 40 hr work weeks and more time with E-Man.

Well all that goes to show that we made it through probably the hardest part of Evan's first year. Next time I blog he will more than likely be on the move, so stay tuned for some possible video footage!

Pics from 2 months to 4 1/2 months

Flirting already!

Long and petite - short and husky! :)

Great Grandpa Schatz has had some practice

Great Grandma Schatz can't get enough! :)

Bare bum! - this one is for Aunt Sarah! :)

Uncle Brent is enjoying his new role.

Getting stronger!

Who is this???

DayCare lady and Evan

Day Care pals

Exhausted!

Feet pic for Uncle Brent! :)

Another Santa!

Sydney prayers for Baby Evan every night! Thanks Syd! :)

Uncle Justin is master at putting Evan to sleep

Trying out G&G's gift in Aunt Heidi's sweater

Uncle Justin's Gift

Uncle Wade and Uncle Brent both thought I needed boots.

Grandpa loves to put me down for a nap...I wonder why...

Even Stronger!!! :) Compare this pic to the one above.

My classic dumb founded look!