The latest...

Just relaxing, playing around, and enjoying the summer here in the Mears household. We went to the community pool last weekend and Evan was not so sure about it. He was clinging to either Mommy or Daddy the whole time he was in the water. I took him back yesterday after work and he did much better! He was walking on his own in the kiddie pool to reach a ball in the water. He let me float him around and around, and he even went under water twice! (Not on purpose!) Evan didn't cry when that happened. We'll probably go again today to get him used to it. That, and I love water in the warm summer!

Within the past week or two, we think Evan has grown taller. Proof...he can reach on the kitchen counters now...

Pretty girl Daisy...she's doing great. She has weaned off her steroids so cross your fingers that her back doesn't act up again!

One afternoon after work, I was putting dishes in the dishwasher. Evan got in the drawer with all the pot holders and oven mits. He first emptied everything on the floor. Then he put everything back in the drawer, including Daisy's toy, my shoes, puzzle pieces, etc. He was so determined and on a mission to put everything in this drawer. You should have seen him try to close it!

Speaking of shoes, Evan now loves to put his sandals on. He sometimes gets the feet mixed up but for the most part, he does a great job!

Our family definitely loves Bruster's ice cream. Last night we decided to get ice cream and someone decided to fall asleep on the ride over there and was asleep the whole time we were ordering. Mommy and Daddy were totally going to get him his free baby cone, but he wasn't awake. Upon arriving home, Evan woke up, saw my cone, and was upset he didn't have one. Like any sympathetic mommy, I shared the rest of my ice cream with Evan. Here's the aftermath...

Evan loves storytime. Most of the time he'll bring a book to you and sit in your lap to read. Well, sometimes when he a bit tired, he'll lay back and read with you that way. Such was the case with Daddy here...

How cute are they?!!

Superboy!

Evan's such a goof! He found one of his bibs in the drawer this weekend and wanted it put on backwards, like a cape. Now it's not Evan...it's "Superboy"! He was so cute running around the house and wanting to be chased. What's outside...maybe I can save someone... His first piggy-back ride...Check out his cool cape...Latest news on Evan...his vocabulary is growing more and more each day. He'll try to repeat the alphabet as Mommy says it to him. He definitely has A, B, D, I, L, M, O, U down pat, and he got W today (too cute!).

He discovered the light switches. He's learned that if you turn it one way, the light will turn on, the other way it'll turn off. Now every time we're downstairs, he is by the lightswitch saying, "up" because he wants to turn them off and on. Uh...should I have taught him that so soon?

If you haven't seen him do his latest trick, hopefully we can get it on video so all can witness it. He loves to put a piece of food on his sippy cup and when he's "taking a drink", he'll pop the food in his mouth by tipping his cup and then take a drink. He's talented!

Evan's been having a streak of energy late at night. We're not sure if he's slap happy or what, but when we think it's time for bed, he goes running (literally) around the basement and doing his "uhhh, ahhh" noises. He'll climb up and down and up and down the furniture. He'll throw Daisy's ball and even play keep away with her. His energy makes Mommy and Daddy laugh a lot because we have no idea where it came from and he's hilarious to watch. Evan, I mean Superboy is so much fun!

Daddy, daddy, daddy!

We returned to Maryland last night from an unexpected trip back to Ft. Wayne. Jason's grandma passed away last Tuesday and we went home for the viewing and funeral. Evan did pretty well in the car both to and from Indiana. I had some "surprise" toys in his bag...toys he hadn't seen before, so he liked that.

Evan did pretty well with all the "new" faces. He is starting to develop a bit of stranger anxiety. If someone new talks to him, he looks back and clenches onto either Mommy or Daddy's leg, like this...

He did warm up to most everyone after the weekend was over. At Grandma's house he dug right into the toys and found this hat. Maybe he put it on because we said his hair was sticking up and we could not get it to lay down!

We celebrated Daddy's Day in Ft. Wayne. The weather was pretty nice. Here are Daddy and his little man chilling on the swing outside Grandma and Grandpa's house...

Daisy got to enjoy the beautiful weather also. We love this picture of her...

Evan was being so cute on the swing. I love this mischievous picture of him. Makes you wonder what he's thinking.

Daddy got his old soccer ball out and started playing with him. Evan did pretty well kicking the ball around the yard...A slide tackle to steal the ball (good form huh?)...

Mommy stole Evan for a quick picture...In the evening, a thunderstorm blew through. Here's a pretty double rainbow we saw in the back yard...

The other half...

Kisses bye, bye from Evan...

Ice cream on a hot day...

It's hot. Really hot outside. But if you've ever lived in the Deep South, this 95+ weather is nothing. Jason and I are a bit used to it, but poor Evan. We took him swinging Saturday afternoon, and after 10 minutes, his face was bright red from the heat. No pool for us this weekend. Perhaps next?...

Amy, a friend from college, was in Baltimore for a conference and stayed an extra day to visit the Mears family. Evan had a blast hanging out with her and showing her his "ice cream on a hot day" interpretive dance. He was rolling over and over and over on the floor after having some Bruster's ice cream. He's so goofy!Let's see...any new updates on Evan...he's talking a lot more recently. He is really enunciating the "p" in "up", still says alligator, apple, vroom (for cars).

Yesterday morning Jason and I were trying to eat breakfast so to keep Evan busy and out of trouble (he'd already eaten), I dumped out one of his puzzles on the floor, told him to put it back together, and bring it to Mommy and Daddy once he's done. Sure enough, a few minutes later, here comes Evan strolling in the kitchen holding a puzzle that is totally completed. So brilliant! He makes me smile just thinking about it!

Evan has also gotten 2 more teeth. They're on the top, and I'm not sure if they're right beside his front 4 or if there's a gap and then the new teeth. But believe me, they're in there! No molars yet, but he doc said they're on their way down soon.

Healthwise, everyone's feeling better. Evan's done with his cold with the exception of a little nasal drainage. Daisy's acting like she used to and really doesn't want us to help her off the bed or up/down the stairs. She isn't listening to her doctor's orders very well. But it's great to see her back to her playful self again!

One is feeling better, but now one is sick

Good news...Daisy's feeling a lot better. She's been on her meds for a few days now and she seems to be back to normal. Daddy and Mommy are having trouble catching her before she jumps off the bed, couch, or runs up and down the stairs, but all in all, Daisy is doing great!

Bummer news...Evan now has (another) cold. Poor baby! He was up last night at 2:30 am coughing. I felt so sorry for him. However, a cold will not slow him down as he still has lots of energy. Proof...here is Evan loving the stairs. He is a pro at them. His latest trick is holding onto our hands and walking up the stairs like a "big boy." Gosh, he's so much fun!