Angel, 1999-2009

Our last surviving fish, Angel, an angelfish (see example above) passed away this evening. She had a long and full life. We got Angel first with a few tetras and other fish (Darryl, Darryl, and Norm) in Birmingham, AL, in 1999. She made the move to Atlanta with us, and then to Rockville, and finally here in Germantown. For the past 2 weeks she had been feeling sick and just wasn't acting herself. She joined her fellow tankmates in heaven tonight after 10 great years with the Mears family. Rest in peace Angel.

Brilliant child!

Just an update on Evan...he's doing great! It seems like he has learned so much and is surprising Mommy and Daddy every day. On Monday evening, Evan was playing with the Leap Fridge Alphabet and shocked Mommy. He picked up a letter and said, "G", then another, "O", then another, "L", etc. This went on and on in random order for 15 or so letters! I was amazed. Evan does know his alphabet song (if you've ridden in the car you've heard it), but knowing the individual letters out of sequence, wow!

Then, I was drinking water out of a plastic cup with the IU logo on it. Evan looked at the cup and said, "Mama, IU!" YEAH! We're definitely raising him right!

Evan definely loves his stuffed animals. It has become routine now at bedtime, after the lights are out, he needs at least 4-5 stuffed animals to fall asleep. When he wakes up, the stuffed animal fairy has put all but one away. Well, one morning over the weekend I went into his room to get him out of his crib, Evan wanted every stuffed animal he had in his room. I obliged - hey it was the weekend and we had nowhere to get in a hurry! Ahhh, I think I'll lay down... Perhaps on my belly?

This past weekend, we also tried out a children's play gym called Romp 'n Roll. We've been wanting to do this with Evan for a while and it would give him a chance to interact with more children of different ages. For the most part he had a blast! They take all the kids and parents into a small room at first and read a story and sing a song. Then they open the curtin and a huge room is filled with fun gym stuff. Here is an example picture of what it looks like... The kids do different obstacles courses and activities and blow off lots of steam. Evan had a blast during this portion. The little room to listen to a story and song, not so much right now, but the gym? He loved it!

Tub fun and 2-year check up

Evan had his 2-year old check up with his pediatrician today. He's a healthy, growing boy! He weighs 29 pounds, 3 ounces (70th percentile) and is 35 inches tall (75th percentile). Everything the doctor or nurse asked if he did, we said, "yes". Totally on track! Yah!
Last night we had some fun in the tub. Well, this wasn't just last night, but every time Evan takes a bath. He loves to splash around and get Mommy and Daisy wet!

How cute is this face?

Evan turns 2!

Evan had a wonderful 2nd birthday. He woke up and ventured downstairs to get some milk. When he went into the kitchen, he looked up at the island and just stared in amazement. "Choo-choo train" is what he exclaimed! Mommy got his expression on video, so we'll post that soon. It was priceless! Mommy spent the whole day with him and Evan was in a great mood. That evening, we started opening presents, and as we learned later, this would take all night! The theme of Evan's 2nd birthday was definitely Elmo, trains, and automobiles. All things he really loves! He got an Elmo backpack and started putting all his treasures in it... Daisy was helping him open this clothing box...Oops, look where the clothing box is now (it's sitting up behind him, unopened!)...Evan really loved to rip the paper and throw it everywhere. That was the most fun!

Here he is sitting on a pillow that Grandma made him...
Time for cake! Blowing out the candles...Evan went straight for the smokestack on the engine!Diggin' in...it's yummy!Cutie pie!...Check out my new backpack. Don't I look like such a big boy?!

Gotta keep eating my cake!All in all it was a wonderful birthday for Evan. He had a great time! Happy 2nd Birthday, Evan! Mommy, Daddy, and Daisy really love you!

Happy 2nd Birthday Evan!

A sneak peak of Evan's birthday cake this year...Here's the engine...

Car with logs...

Car with coal...

Party caboose!

We just know he's going to love it! Over 4 hours of decorating it...phew! Mommy and Daddy are heading to bed. Night!

Evan's new potty

Evan has a new potty! For a while now, he's been VERY interested in what Mommy & Daddy do when they are in the bathroom. More recently, Evan's been telling us when he has gone "poo-poo" in his diaper. So now was as good of a time as any to get Evan his first potty!

He tried it out (clothed of course) in the living room...Hmmm, let me get comfortable and do some computer work while on here...Daisy girl was very intrigued by a new puzzle Evan got...Ahhh, Evan is not a baby anymore, huh? Such a big boy!

Mears Family Christmas

Christmas at the Mears household was celebrated last weekend. It was great! We woke up and ventured downstairs to see what was under the tree. Evan was quite pleased...I wonder what this could be?

Santa wrapped this gift because he knew how much Evan loved to unwrap presents. He could not just leave this gift under the tree unwrapped! Here is Evan tearing into his gift...Evan was so excited he got a bike from Santa that he didn't even finish unwrapping it before jumping on...Checking out what is under the tree...

Here is Evan playing with a clock puzzle that Mommy and Daddy got him...On my bike with my Bears football...ready to go! Santa brought stickers in my stocking. I put this one on the tree...Cutie pie! Don't you just want to give him kisses all over his sweet face?!We took our Christmas decorations down this weekend. Evan had a blast helping us undecorate the tree. He'd get very excited and run from the tree to the table where we were putting the ornaments. I have to wait how long until Christmas again?...