A big week for Everett!!

- Everett turned 11 weeks (Tuesday).
- Laughed for the very first time (Grampy was playing with him).
- Slept 8 hours, through the night (Wednesday night, 10:30 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.)YIPPEE!! He got a Bumbo chair for a prize!

OUR BABY BOY IS GROWING UP SOOO FAST!!!
You might want to visit soon, before he goes off to college. :)

Weekend trip to Oklahoma

We made a trip to see Deona's grandmother in Oklahoma this weekend, a first for little Everett. We had a great time.

We packed up the car and headed to Oklahoma Friday morning. We had hoped to get on the road by 9:00 a.m., with baby in tow, our plan was delayed about an hour and a half. Our car was loaded down with one overnight bag for Deona and myself and the rest of the car was consumed with Everett's necessities.

Enroute, Grampy instructed us to drive 70 mph and he would reduce his speed to 60 mph; shortly after catching up, Jordan had an accident which would require a change of clothes at the nearest gas station. :) I made a mental note that Fritos, apple juice and watching videos don't compliment each other very well in a moving vehicle.
Shortly thereafter, we were on the road again taking the scenic route via Turner Falls State Park.

We pulled off for some leg stretching, pictures, diaper changes and a bathroom break.

Before heading out to grandma's, Deona, Everett and I checked into our hotel at the "Sleep Inn & Suites" in Guthrie. Deona decided we needed a suite, as she wanted Everett's very first hotel stay to be special; indeed it was. Our oversized room had a flat screen TV, rocking chair recliner, fluffy featherbed, jacuzzi tub (not that we were in the room long enough to enjoy it), mini fridge, microwave, and wetbar - WHICH came in handy for washing baby bottles and nipples.




After a trip to a grocery store in Guthrie, we headed out to grandma's in Perkins (about 20 minutes away). When we arrived, Grammie, Grampy, Dondi, Roy, Jordan and Matthew were there. We had a nice time visiting with all, but it was especially nice for Everett to spend some one on one time with GG (great grandma)later that evening.


Lots and lots of pictures were taken.

Saturday was a fun day. Before heading back to Grandma's, we checked out of the hotel and decided to take a little drive through the Historic town of Guthrie.
This weekend I learned that Guthrie was the first Capitol of Oklahoma. Such a cute town..the architecture, antique brick walkways, museums....we'll definately need to go back and make a day of it.

Uncles Charlie and Tony grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The food was good, and a lot of fun was had by all. It was great seeing everyone and letting them all meet little E for the first time. Grandma says she now has 31 great grandchildren; Everett being #30. :)

We left Perkins about 4:30 in the afternoon, it was a pretty uneventful trip home. Lunch in Ardmore at the local IHOP, and one additional stop for refueling.

Everett did amazing this weekend. He's been a perfect baby and have had so much fun sharing our family, friends and experiences with him. We're looking forward to more special moments, traditions and and creating many memories with him.


Everett with uncle Tony.


with cousins Makayla and Lisa.


aunt Bobbi

Everett's 2 month check up.

Worth noting before Everett's 2 month check up news...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP! Monica's dad celebrates his 65th birthday today. I love you!!!

Today was Everett's 2 month visit with the pediatrician.
In addition to having a complete physical exam (Doc said he looked, felt & sounded amazing), he received five vaccines (Hepatitis B, Polio, Pneumococcal disease, Diphtheria, Tetanus & Petussis, Rotavirus & Hib).
I can't say he was thrilled about getting all the shots, but he did really well. I think Deona and I both had a harder time watching.
The needles were really long and his little face expressed so much pain.
I really hope something is done about today’s vaccines soon, to make them more natural. It's too much on the parents who have to make such tough decisions, and then on the children who are just totally helpless.
Everett did amazing, considering what he had just gone through.
Yes, he cried, but was easy to console. After Mommy (Monica) gave him a few hugs and a pacifier, he almost instantly stopped crying.
When we got home, Mama (Deona) gave him a small dose of baby Tylenol, just in case of fever.
After a short nap in his swing, he had a bottle and then was up for playtime. Sweet baby boy is so resilient.
He's napping again; we'll be watching closely through the night.

How could I forget to mention Everett's growth?
Little E isn’t so little anymore. :( He now weighs 14 pounds and is 24.5" in length and is between 75-90 percentile on the growth chart. He is in the 50-75th for head circumference.

We also asked our pediatrician about Ev's strawberry hemangioma on the side of his head. It's grown from what looked like a mosquito bite to the size of a fingernail. She didn’t express any concern and said it would most likely dissapear by age 5. Luckily it is on his scalp, so until then, his hair will cover the raised mark. He's still precious and the cutest baby ever! :)
We're relieved the appointment is over with and can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Since our last development post, E's been perfecting his smiles, coo's and laughs. Additionally, he's sleeping lots more; in fact, he slept through the night (8 hours) this week.
Stay tuned for more of Everett's milestones and photos.

Photo is Everett "coo-ing" at 2 month's old.

It's official, we're going to Disneyworld!

Ahhh, the holiday season. The season of lights and presents and holiday cheer. The season of shopping and stress. The season of overwhelment.

But this year there's a different plan.... were going to Disneyworld!

Initially, we would not be joining the Guajardo's. I mean, after all, I've been a cajillion times. But there's something much more important than the number of times I've been, i'm drawn to the idea that it's more about sharing it with my family, making new memories, and spending real time with them.

We'll be joining Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Tammy, Uncle Donato, Chris, Kim and Chad. We'll be staying at one of the Disney resorts and have 5 day hoppers to enjoy all the parks.
My family has been going to Disney every four years since my oldest nephew, Christopher was a toddler. This year is no exception, however this time will be during the Christmas holiday; a first for the Guajardo's.

Walt Disney World is truly a magical place and looking forward to sharing this tradition with my family and now even more with Deona and Everett.

Lunch with Ori and Birdie

A super day visiting godparents, Ori and Birdie. The day started out with Grampy and Mimi coming over for a short visit this morning; then a trip to Garland to have a lunch/visit with Ori and Birdie at Dos Bandera’s Mexican restaurant in downtown Garland. If you haven’t been to Dos Bandera’s, we highly recommend it. Everett slept through lunch, but was up soon after to visit with everyone. Ori and Birdie just got back from a 12 day vacation and brought back a couple of adorable outfits for E: his very first Greenbay Packer sports team Onesie, bib and socks made out of jersey material and the other is a super cute "Bearly Sleeping" long john set with matching cap. The front of it has a bear walking across the front of it. Thank you Ori & Birdie! Everett slept the whole way home and was happy to be out of his car seat and lounging on his Boppy.

Everett is 8 weeks old!

8 weeks old!!!! (sigh)

DEVELOPMENT
The best thing happened this week...Everett giggled for the first time. Absolutely adorable! He's also talking (coo-ing), gasp laughing and smiling alot more. Little E now weighs 13.5 pounds and is 24" long.


FEEDING
Currently little E is eating approximately 5-6 oz, every 3-4 hours.
We've graduated from newborn to 3 month old bottle nipples.


SLEEP
Well, as much as we'd like to say Everett is sleeping through the night, we cant. :( Everett continues to wake every 3 hours or so. We've come to the realization that's how it's going to be, until he's introduced to rice cereal (4 months old).

ACTIVITIES
Everett continues to alternate between activities: pallet time, swing, bouncer and boppy time. His latest and greatest activity is sitting/playing in his new bouncer that his grandma and grandpa Guajardo purchased for him. He's able to get the music and lights to turn on, when he his legs and/or arms hit the hanging animals. It's so funny to watch him react when it turns on, his little legs and arms really start to kick in high gear. SO cute! Another favorite is bathtime. Everett absolutely LOVES to sit in his ducky bathtub

Horseshoes, Fireworks and Food, OH MY!

A big time at the Guajardo's!
Everett's first July 4th was spent at his Grandma and Grandpa's in Wimberley, TX. This was also a first for E to meet Monica's family.
We left Arlington about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday; what usually is a 4 hour drive to Wimberley, TX took us 5 1/2 hours (because of holiday traffic and also because of increased highway patrol cars along IH35) UGH!
Everett was first greeted by his overly-excited aunt Tammy. Later, aunt Tammy would share little E with his grandparents, uncle Donato and his cousin Chad. Thursday evening was about playing catch-up, and relaxation. July 4th would be a very different day.
July 4th was a great celebration. Potluck supper was superb....the spread included brisket, barbecued chicken, sausage, potato salad, beans, Spanish rice, Mexican salad, tossed salad, chips, dips, banana pudding, & sex-in-a-pan (its a delicious dessert!). Festivities included horseshoes, poker, card games, rocking on the front porch and playing with Everett.
Everett was excited to meet his relatives: Uncles Fred & Bubba, Aunts Mary, Belinda, cousins April, Freddy, Bianca and their son Jordan, Christopher (Monica's nephew) and Kim.
As soon as night fell, the fireworks came out at the Guajardo's. :) Only half of the fireworks were lit, as the wind picked up and drifting embers frightened onlookers.
Saturday morning, the three of us would drive to meet Aunt Tammy and Uncle Donato at their house in Kyle. Later we had lunch at "Garcia's" restaurant in Buda. Monica's nephew Chad and girlfriend, Leah joined us. After lunch, we caravanned back to Wimberley. Grandma and Grandpa purchased Everett his very own Safari bouncer. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa, Everett loves his new bouncer chair!
The rest of the day was spent eating left-overs, watching Leah, Chad and Donato perform cartwheels , head and handstands in the front yard; then later listening to Donato moan in agony for his sore shoulder.
After a Sunday morning brunch with Mom, Dad, Tammy and Donato, we packed the car and headed back towards Arlington. Everett pretty much slept the entire way, except waking up in Belton for a feeding and diaper change.
Again, traffic sucked on IH35, so we drove our newly discovered "secret route" out of Belton. We arrived back home, Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. (5 hours after leaving Wimberley). Everett was a big hit, and we all had a big time... cant wait for our next family celebration!
See "July 4th" for photos from this weekend.

Aunt Tammy with Ev

Grandma Guajardo

with cousins April & Bianca

uncle Fred and Grandpa Guajardo

Ev's cousins Chad & Chris

Sad News Today

Deona's godmother, Joy Baird, passed away from cancer early Sunday morning. The funeral was Tuesday afternoon, in Texarkana. Don, Deona, Everett and I made our way to the memorial service and afterwards, were able to sit and visit with Aunt Jackie, Pop, cousins Courtney & Katie. Seems quality visits don't happen as frequently as they should. It was good reminder how precious life and family are, and we should make more time to extend ourselves.
Joy will be missed very much.