Too Hot

Well, I would love to be able to post lots of great pictures of summer fun, but it is TOO DANG HOT to go outside right now. So, I will settle for some cute indoor ones.

Little man got a much-needed haircut last weekend. I have been on a mission to get Chad to assume the responsibility of Evan's haircuts. The last few have gone so badly, that Evan came home with like 5 hairs cut (basically no haircut), because he doesn't sit still. But last weekend went pretty well! Chad took him to the sporty haircut place, popped a sucker in each hand, and Evan came away with a clean #3 haircut.
Which made all of us very happy. :)

My sweet 2 year old

Lauren & Dad

Lauren has really grown up this summer. I sometimes feel like I'm talking to a 12 year old.

Basically the minute Evan turned TWO, he started acting like a TWO year old. Before his birthday, I think he'd had about 2 or 3 tantrums total. Now, we are having 2 or 3 a week. They only last a few minutes, so it's not terrible, but it's definitely a big difference from a few weeks ago. And it's a new enough thing, that it is still hilarious when he throws his body on the floor over something so ridiculous. However, he is also doing lots of good things too. He went potty in the potty chair for the first time last night! I'm not holding my breath, but it's a start. I give Lauren 100% credit for it, because she is determined to get him going in the big potty just like she does. And I'm gonna just roll with that!

Love them.

A very old looking Lauren. Lauren is loving being a cousin these days. She loves to look at pictures of Carly and got to meet her for the 1st time a few days ago. She was in awe of how tiny she is. Carly is wearing some of Lauren's preemie sleepers, and Lauren just cannot believe she was ever that small. She is quick to point out that "I'm all growed up now. I can swim on my own." Evan can't wait to meet Carly soon, and he is packing up all his pacifiers to bring to her. You know, since he's a big boy and doesn't need them anymore. Or at least that's what I tell him. :)

Carly's Homecoming

After 39 days in the NICU......

Carly came home!!!!

Doesn't she look gorgeous?

The day before discharge....still hooked up to a few monitors...

Last night, at home, completely wire-free!!!!

She is doing awesome, mostly thanks to her very hardworking Mommy. She weighs 4lb 12 oz now, so she is still a little peanut, but she is growing every day. She is wearing one of Lauren's preemie sleepers in the above photo. Lauren's lowest weight was 5 lbs 6 oz, so she is still quite a bit smaller than Lauren, but it just amazes me that this tiny outfit fit Lauren. It really does remind you how fast they grow.

I just love her.

Hot Air Balloon

On our way home from dinner tonight, we saw a hot air balloon in the sky. The kids thought it was pretty cool, and we were all chatting about what it would be like to be in a hot air balloon, etc. I made a comment about how I wondered if it would be hot or cold up there, on a hot sticky night like tonight. Without missing a beat, Lauren informed me that, "It's a hot air balloon Mom, so it's hot up there."

Evan 2 Years Old

Evan turned 2 years old on July 6th! I took him in for his check-up, and here are his stats:

Weight: 29.7 lb (71%)

Height: 34.3 inches (45%)

Head Circumference: 19.3 inches (56%)

He took a huge leap in his weight, up from the 30th and 40th percentiles previously. It's probably from all the cake and cookies on our vacation! He gets his sweet tooth and weight gain ability from his mama, I think. :)

At 2 years old, Evan you:

• are talking so much more. Chad & I can understand most of what you say. Other people still have a hard time sometimes. Your big sister likes to answer questions for you, so I think that's part of why you don't talk as much as she did. :) 
• love to swim, and you are not afraid of the water!
• still not a great sleeper, so I still let you have your binki at night. You also sleep with your favorite blankie, and your dalmation pal, Lucky.
•  have no interest in potty training, and neither does your mama, so we are on the same page there. Maybe another few months and we'll think about it. :) 
• are a great eater. Your favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, ham & cheese sandwiches, any type of fruit, nutri-grain bars, and fudge-striped cookies. You are also a great milk-drinker. We are switching you from whole milk to skim now.
•  love to swing on the swingset and play outside. 
• love to copy your big sister. You two are playing together very well. Nothing warms my heart more than watching the two of you playing together and becoming best buds. Lauren told me awhile back that "Evan is my best friend." 
• love dogs. You love Bailey the most, but you will play/pet/kiss pretty much any dog. We are working on learning how NOT to play/pet/kiss dogs that we don't know.
• are such a lover! You love to cuddle, and you are very generous with your hugs and kisses. You love to be held and sit on my lap. I just love that!

We love you so much Evan Michael! I feel so lucky to have you, and I am very thankful that you are such a happy, healthy little boy! Happy 2nd Birthday!

One Great Week

We had an awesome summer vacation last week in Okoboji and the Ozarks. We started the week in Okoboji. On the way up there, Lauren & I taught Evan how to say Okoboji. I told the kids we could shorten it to "Boji." I told them that lots of people call it that. But Lauren wanted him to call it "Okoboji." She said, "Evan, it's not Boji, it's Oko-boji. (enunciating very carefully).... Boji is his last name." I love the way their minds work. :)

We enjoyed lots of time in the lake. Lauren was scared of the water last year, but she was all over it this year. 

Little man was all over it too. He's a little toooo comfortable in the water for his own good. 

Evan had his 1st ride on the jet ski. 

He also celebrated his 2nd birthday! Although it's kinda hard to have an almost 4th of July bday (his bday is on the 6th), I am sort of jealous that he gets a week-long vacation every year on his bday. :)

He got his 1st trike. So, I told my Mom that we took him to the toy store to try him out on the trikes and bikes, and that he couldn't figure out the pedals. So I was going to wait another year before buying him one. But Grandma found this really little one, and of course, Evan proved me wrong and can pedal like a champ. Leave it to Grandma to find all the really cool toys!

Lauren got to go to her favorite place in the world again, Arnold's Park. She even has a season pass. Spoiled? I think so. 

And we got to spend lots of time with our cousins! Man, did they have a blast together! 

Evan - Elise - Lauren

Lauren & Elise were practically joined at the hip! 

We also got lots of time with Aunt Erin! Laurie, Cody, & Carly spent the 4th in their lovely room at Bergan Mercy, but we hope they can join us next year!

 Thanks Mom & Dad for everything!

Part 2 of the trip was going to the Lake of the Ozarks. We traveled on the 4th, so this is Lauren on our lunch break. 

We went on a boat ride to watch the fireworks. 

We also took the boat to see the pirate ship at Captain Ron's. Evan & Lauren are both obsessed with "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on Disney Jr right now, so this was perfect for them.

Captain Ron's has a big sandy beach, so Evan was in heaven. He got so dirty. :)

We spent most of our time in the pool. It hit at least 106 degrees while we were there. The kids really loved the pool this time. Evan was jumping in all over the place, and by the end of the week, swimming on his own (with life jacket, of course!) Again, too comfortable for his own good I'm afraid. 

We celebrated Evan's birthday at the Ozarks too, and Evan got Kyle's John Deere tractor from when he was little. It even has a matching wagon. 

Lauren & Kyle helping put together Evan's new t-ball machine.

 And we got a few nights out on the water after the kids went to bed!

All in all, a very fun week! It had been a long time since we had spent 7 consecutive days together as a family, and it was nice. We came home a little tired (imagine that), and if I see another bottle of sunscreen, I might scream (we went through 3 bottles of sunscreen), but all very much worth it! We left with a 1 & 3 year old, and came home with a 2 & 3 year old. Happy Birthday Evan!

Relay for Life

We participated in Douglas County's Relay for Life this year a few weeks ago. It was the first time I had been part of this event, and it was so inspiring. The practice I work for hosts a big tent party there, and it was fun to see lots of patients and their families.

We sold snow cones and Lauren went to town on hers.

We also had a ducky pond, and Evan drenched himself. We actually had to leave b/c the kids got so wet. Lauren tried to strip down, right there in the middle of the track, so we decided we better call it a night. :)

4th of July School Program

Lauren had a program at school for the 4th of July. They spent several weeks learning the Pledge of Allegiance, the Star Spangled Banner, and the Grand Old Flag. I would post the video of the kids singing, but you would see that Lauren's lips DID.NOT.MOVE. Not once. Not even a little smile. She claimed she didn't know the words, which I don't believe for a minute. ;)

 But she sure looked cute in her star-shaped sunglasses. :)

After the program, the kids got to enjoy a magic show, face painting, bouncy houses, and cookies. The balloon animals were their favorite. So, even though she didn't sing in the program, we still had a good time. The teachers did a great job putting on the celebration.

Olympic Swim Trials

Omaha hosted the Olympic Swim Trials again this year, and Chad & I went one night. We went to the swim trials 4 years ago, and I vividly remember being 6 months pregnant with Lauren. What a blast from the past! I think the swim trials are absolutely awesome, and highly recommend trying to see them in person once.

This was our belated anniversary date night. Happy 7 years to us!