Ho, Ho, Ho

Merry Christmas.  What? Is it a little too late for that?  Oh, Bah humbug.

The truth is November was busy, December was insane, and January was my self imposed rest month.  So here we are in February and I am ready to babble to the world at large.

The only weekend we spent home was the first weekend in December. We headed downtown to OKC's downtown in December festivities.

It was a really fun weekend of just walking, eating and getting in the Christmas spirit. 

The next weekend we traveled to Little Rock to attend the Annual Mattingly family Christmas lunch.  But first was the mandatory stop to the Little Rock Capitol to view their Christmas decorations:  

 Haul a few things for Santa: 

and let Evan get in a few minutes of work before the busy holiday.  

Order in the Court, I say.  

After touring the Capitol on Saturday, we headed to Searcy on Sunday for the Christmas lunch.  This was the first time several of Bill's family members were able to see Evan, so it was a great time.  

Then it was a quick trip back to OKC for five days before flying down to Houston for our Yogi Bear park adventure, which I promise to share with you tomorrow. 

One year later

He's dancing on a Tuesday night.

He's early morning cheerios and late night lullabies.

He's my back patter and little splish-splasher.

He stole my heart one year ago when I received this most precious gift.

He is my Evan from heaven and I am forever blessed.

Happy First Birthday my little man.  

It goes without saying that my life has changed over the past year in ways that I could never have imagined.  The days have gotten so much longer, yet time is moving entirely too quickly.   When I think about Evan's birthday I find myself reminiscing about the day was born and meeting him for the first time.  It was hands-down the best day of my life.  One look at him and I knew -- despite all the good I had thus far experienced, life had truly just begun.   

Happy Birthday To Me (a post from Evan)

Don't tell me its not my birthday.  Its my party and I'l  turn one if I want to.

Truth is, I wanted lots and lots of people at my party, so I begged my mom to have it when we were visiting Louisiana for Thanksgiving.  I pretty much get whatever I want so, of course, she agreed.

After much deliberation, I decided that I needed to have a year in a flash birthday party.  Considering that my mom constantly has a camera in my face and I am already negotiating my first modeling contract, it was pretty much a no brainer.

I worked my charm on my aunt MeMe and talked her into hosting my party (Thanks Meme).  Then I had a long talk with my Aunt Ashley and explained to her how much my mom needed her help in making sure my party was the bomb diggity (do people still say that, or is it just my mom?).  Ashley understood and thanks to her, the decorations and cupcakes were awesome.  Without Ashley, my first birthday would no doubt have been held in a ball pit next a scary clown with red hair and big feet.

I enlisted the help of an amazing photographer (hi Andre) and planned a perfect photo booth for all my guests.  Hey, I figure if I have to get my picture taken everyday by the momarrazi, the least these people could do was take a few pictures for my birthday.  I gave them photo props, so I think they had fun. 

My parents are dorks and my mom needs to iron her shirt, but man I am cute!

  

We also had lots of snacks, and frito chili pie (thanks Aunt Manny).  

There was enough food there for 1000 people and we didn't have any left overs, so I am assuming it was good.  I wouldn't know, I was too busy tasting cake for the first time.

WOW, that was delicious.  Oh, and all you relatives who are supposedly looking out for my best interests, want to explain why you have been holding out on me for so long?  You could have slipped me some of that sugary goodness a long time ago.  I am not sure I can forgive you for holding out on me.

I also got lots of great presents for my birthday, which I have been enjoying ever since.

Mom tells me that I have to wait an entire year before planning another birthday.  Is that true or is she just trying to deprive me of cupcakes and frosting goodness?

11 Months

As in almost a year.  As in almost a toddler.  No, Never.  I will not let it happen.  Seriously, I don't think I can handle it.

Evan is such a big boy these days.  He tries to repeat everything you say, from Baxter and Bailey (who he knows well and loves), to uh oh, mama, dada, yes, no, hi, bye.  The kids says it all.  He doesn't always say the right words at the right time, but he talks ALL DAY LONG.  And I love it.

He is also a comedian.  Case in point, this afternoon he put a dishtowel over his head, laughing continuously while running head first into the kitchen cabinets.  Another example, at his birthday party (more on that later), he was uninterested in eating birthday cake because more concerned with entertaining everyone and was keenly aware that all eyes were on him.

He also loves to pose:

And explore:

Little Evan has five teeth these days, and I think the six is soon to follow.  He is still not walking, but gets around just fine.

I cannot believe that it was almost a year

Oklahoma Aquarium

Our trip to Tulsa for the Half Marathon wasn't all spandex and time clocks.   We also managed to do quite a bit of sight seeing and shopping on Saturday, including a trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium, which Evan loved.

He tried to talk to the fish:

Met the cast of Finding Nemo (which I explained was an excellent movie)

Harassed the stingrays

And jellyfish

While the Aquarium was small (and overpriced), we had a great time.