First "Real" Steps

Everett has been walking by holding on to our fingers to walk for well over a month.

Sometimes holding on with two hands and other times just holding on with one.

But today, Everett decided to stand up and take three steps all on his own! And they were proud steps, not just those one-step lunges he's been doing for a while.

I tried to capture this milestone on video, however I'm not coordinated enough to tend to Ev and monitor the video camera, SO both Deona and I will try to capture some walking footage this evening.

We are so very proud of Everett! It may be days or even weeks before he's really walking around the house but today he took a leap in the right direction.

Goodbye Infant Car Seat, Hello Convertible!

Friday we replaced our Chico infant car seat for a Britax convertible car seat.
I'll miss the convenience of carrying Everett around in his infant car seat, but he's really too big for it now and it's getting far too heavy.

In response to those asking when Everett can face forward in his seat..
Babies should be in rear-facing car seats for at least one year AND until they weigh at least 20 pounds, but that's really a minimum standard. Extended rear-facing, beyond one year and 20 pounds, has big safety advantages that parents should consider.
After extensive research with which type of seat to buy, safety, etc., we've decided to keep Everett rear-facing as long as possible.


Ev enjoying his new seat.


obviously, comfortable. :)

A few good websites worth reading:

http://www.carseat.org/Technical/tech_update.htm#rearfacFF

http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

http://babyproducts.about.com/od/carseats/qt/rear_facing.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9916868

http://parenting.ivillage.com/baby/bsafety/0,,9r5v,00.html

http://www.thecarseatlady.com/car_seats/rear-facing_seats.html

Hooray, Everett has a new playmate!

The Mullaney Family!

Our friend, Courtney had her baby boy on Monday!

Elliott was born, February 2, 2009 at 5:26 PM.

He weighed 7.84 lbs and 20.5 inches long.

Well, we know it will be a while before Elliott's ready to play with Everett, however we're still excited just thinking about it. :)

We are so very happy for you Courtney and Chris, we know you will be wonderful parents!

Sweet Baby Boy!

A giggly boy and his dog.

Everett is obsessed with his deaf, almost blind, 15 year old, miniature pinscher, Prince.
Today, Prince was high spirited and ready to play; Ev had a super time watching.
In these video's you'll hear me snap my fingers to get Prince's attention, as this seems to be the only sound he hears anymore. I'm so glad Prince continutes to be so loving and gentle with Ev. I will cherish these video snippets of my aging dog, with our baby boy forever.
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Sweet Saturday

Playing in the laundry basket.


Reading a story to Mopsy.


Our sweet and tender, baby boy.

All Aboard!

Friday night at Grampy & Grammie's house.

Why Oh Why.....

....did Ev eat that FLY?!!!

UH! I'm soooo grossed out!
Late last night I noticed a dead fly on the carpet in the den. I thought to myself, "I need to pick that up, before Ev finds it". Well, i forgot. This morning, I noticed Ev playing quietly...as i approached, i noticed pieces of FLY broken up around him. ACK!!!
I stuck my fingers in his mouth and out comes the fly's carcass plus one wing! ICK, !ACK!! ACK!!!
All this coming from the child who hasnt quite grasped the "pincher" concept to eat his CHEERIOS!!!
Is it too early to make him gargle with Listerine?

No & Mama & Walking & Save the Date!

Everett has been a little "wild banshee" lately; climbing on things, ALMOST walking on his own and getting into everything he can. It seems like every time I turn around he's into something new.

His latest? A fascination with our antique chest that occupies framed, family photos on top. Deona and I made the decision to leave decoratives, etc. as they are, and teach Ev to respect each of their places. Of course that doesnt include items that can potentially cause injury to him (i.e. the burning candle that once sat on the chest had to be removed...thank heavens Ev wasnt burned); that said, he is now very familiar with the word "NO" and recognizes that "no" means stop and off limits. For some reason, our darling son thinks if he grins sweetly, he's pardoned from the request and will try again. How can our sweet, sweet baby boy possibly be so manipulative at this young age??? :) Oh! I forgot to add...lately, Ev has started saying "Mama", but only when he's in trouble or when he's upset with one of us. It's like he's saying, "Ma, leave me alone".

An update on walking...we think he could start any day now. Though he hasn't taken more than one step at a time, he's standing for longer and longer periods, without holding on. As you will see in a couple of these video clips, he's getting pretty good at balancing and seems to be quite comfortable; especially when standing next to something.

And finally.... I know this is early, but I'd like to get a "Save the Date" out for Ev's 1st birthday party. Please plan on joining us, Saturday, May 16th, 2009. Details forthcoming.

Unfortunately, these video clips do not capture his lengthier (is that a word?) attempts, but thought i needed to post something before he's actually walking. Hoping to capture better video, soon. Stay tuned!

This clip is in here, just because it's cute. Ev gets so excited, he starts flailing his arms. He also says bye-bye, but it's always an upside down bye-bye. so funny.