One Month Down

Caitlin turned one month this weekend!

She weighed 8 lbs 15 oz and was 20.5 inches at her well check. The Dr. said she looked good and was doing great.  I think she is starting to figure out the whole day/night thing as well since the last two nights she has slept for a 4 hour and a 5 hour stretch. Let's hope that continues!  She is tracking better with her eyes and has started taking a pacifier as well.  We are also beginning to venture out of the house whether it's to meet friends for lunch, go to the library, or run errands.  I was feeling a little cooped up after so many weeks of staying indoors.  I think Evan was as well, and he is looking forward to playdates with friends.  I still haven't quite figured out how I'm going to get around with both kids yet. If anyone has a double stroller they want they would recommend or wants to get rid of, let me know!  Also, I'm looking into toy storage solutions to try and tame the massive amounts of toys we are accumulating so I'd love suggestions on what others are doing in this arena as well. 

I've posted new pics in our picasa gallery (see the right side of the blog as well).  Thanks to everyone who offered to help or brought food for this first month.  It was all delicious and much appreciated.  I think you spoiled my husband with all your good cooking!  And not to leave Evan out completely... he got his top two canines this month!  We also got some family pics taken so here are a few (there are more in the One Month gallery).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day here was just gorgeous weather so we took advantage and spent some time outside. We headed to Brushy Creek Park/Champion Park to enjoy the weather.  First we stopped at the swings and sandbox area to let Evan play around. 

Then, we took a walk along the path.  There were lots of people out. Evan had a great time walking the dog.

 We stopped for some pictures before heading back to the car. Overall, it was very nice to get out of the house and great to see the sun again!  Hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine's day.  Love to all from the Stacers!

Evan turns 18 months!

Although Caitlin will probably dominate the blog for awhile, I wanted to at least post some things about Evan.  He turned 18 months this week... has it really been that long?  Everything at the Dr. went great and he's right on track with development/measurements.  He weighed in at 25 lbs 6 oz (50%) and was 33 inches tall (75%).  It's just amazing all the things he can do.  I thought I'd try to make a list of some of them so I don't forget and just so you all can know as well.

-He says dada, mama, ball all the time.  But he also says up, down, dog, duck, and nana (for banana).
-He signs please/more/milk all the time and points to what he wants.
-He loves balls and balloons.  If there are a million toys on the floor and one ball, he will gravitate towards it and only want to play with that.
-He loves to kick!  Not only does he kick the balls, but he'll just kick the air, like he's practicing.
-He loves to climb
-He wants to stand on top of everything (hence the climbing).
-He really wants to be able to jump and he'll try, but he just doesn't quite get both feet off the floor
-He likes to dance. We put on the toddler tunes and he'll bop up and down and swing his arms
-His favorite songs are: If You're Happy and You Know It, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. He does motions to all these songs lik clapping and then points to his face, etc.
-He loves to play chase and can run around the house in circles with someone chasing him all day long.
-He loves to go outside and take walks in his wagon.
-He likes to read.  He'll go grab a book and then just bring it over to me, sit in my lap, and we'll read. It's so adorable and precious.
-He loves fruits and vegetables.  The one thing that is difficult to get him to eat is meat.  We usually resort to fruit bribery.
-He understands so much more than he can say.  I can tell him to go get something and he knows exactly what it is and where it is. 
-He likes to run around naked before/after bath time.  It's actually pretty hilarious. I'd totally video tape it except it would probably embarass him too much when he's older.
-He loves electronics - phones, computers, anything that makes noises and lights up... but not toys. Oh no, he can tell the difference. And don't try to trick him and take the battery out because then, he's not interested.
-He can now open the doors so we had to childproof most of them.
-He can blow kisses and say sshhh.
-He likes to put his cup down on the table and say "Dah" as in "Ta-Da" which we do.  It's so cute.
-He also likes to take a drink from his cup and then say "Ahhh" like it was so refreshing.
-He likes to just talk... most mornings, I wake up to him just blabbing away in his crib which he can easily do for like a half hour before he decides he really wants to get out and begins to scream.  Other times during the day, he'll just jibber-jabber like he's telling you something really important but you have no idea what he's saying.
-He loves hi-fives and hitting the rock (i.e. fist bumps).  You can instantly become his friend by offering a fist bump (followed by a "boom" sound).

-And last but not least... my favorite thing are the hugs and kisses he gives and anytime he smiles or laughs.  It just melts my heart and I love him to death!  Especially when I give big hugs (accompanied by squeezing tight sound which he then mimics)... is there anything cuter?

And of course some bad things (there are probably way more but I think I block most of them):
-He throws food when he's done eating... the dog likes it but the parents, not so much.
-He will throw tantrums when he's not getting what he wants. Shocking, I know.
-He taunts the dog.  He'll hold the ball out to her and then take it away.  He actually taunts us as well.
-He hates most diaper changes and just does not cooperate during them which can be messy.
-He hates getting in the car - sometimes it's quite a struggle to strap him in.
-If he has done something wrong and you tell him no, he puts his hand over his face like he's hiding from you and puts on this pout... sometimes it's so hard not to laugh.

And her are a couple pics of our big boy.  He really is growing up fast.

And here are some Colts pics I promised:

Caitlin and the Colts

Thought I would update everyone on how we are all doing.  Caitlin ended up getting Evan's RSV.  I took her to the Dr. on Monday because she seemed kind of congested and I didn't want to worry.  The Dr. said her lungs were clear but they'd test her for RSV and it turned out positive.  She wasn't too worried and there really isn't anything to do for it at this point.  So, this week Caitlin has been congested but otherwise, she's handling it fine.  On Friday, Caitlin went for a well check and was up to 7 lbs. 11 oz so she's gaining weight well and the Dr. thought she looked great.  I've uploaded new pics to Picasa from the last week (see the links on the right hand side - Caitlin Week 2).

Today, my mom left to head back to Indy.  It was very sad and Evan cried when we had to drop her off.  She was a huge help these last two weeks.  She did laundry, cooked, went shopping, entertained Evan, did baths, took care of Caitlin, etc.  I don't know how we'd have gotten through it all without her, especially having sick kiddos!  We are all on our own for this coming week and then on Friday, Bryce's parents come.  So, I guess we'll see how it goes with just the two of us taking care of the kids.  It will be interesting for sure!

And last but not least, GO COLTS!  We are very excited for the Super Bowl tomorrow. Evan and Caitlin have their Colts gear ready for the big game (I'll post pics on that next time).  I'm a little nervous because of all the injuries I keep reading about for the Colts players, but I'm hopeful the result will be the same as the last Super Bowl they were in :)  And, I wanted to say thanks to everyone for the cards, gifts, dinners, and well-wishes we've received.  We feel blessed to have so many friends and family that have let us know how much we are loved and supported.  Thank you!