Evan's first laugh

So tonight while I was getting dinner ready for me and Eric, Eric was holding Evan and was making burping noises and all of a sudden, Evan just started laughing! We had never heard him laugh before! He has always kinda just made noises, but no definitive laughing! It was so cute!I am trying to post the video I took of him laughing, so look for it on the right side of the blog. So he is 3 1/2 months now and changing constantly! He is getting very good at pushing himself up while he is on his tummy and is very alert and always looking around. He has discovered his hand, mostly his right, and loves to hold it up in the air and also to suck on it! He is so expressive in his face and makes me laugh all the time with his expressions! I think he is going to be a class clown because he is pretty funny already. I also think he is going to be pretty smart because he really likes to be read to when we do his nighttime routine. He sits so still and really looks at the pages of the books! He is also starting to grab at toys and hold on to them. He is liking his activity gym more and more. I think he is going to be right handed because he uses that hand more than the left.

We took him to his first baseball game. It was the KC Royals vs MN Twins. The Royals actually won a game and Evan got a certificate from the Royals organization for it being his first game! It was really cool. He did amazing and barely made a peep the whole night. He ended up falling asleep in his stroller! We truly are blessed to have a baby boy who is so chill and relaxed!

We moved him into his crib recently, much to Eric's dismay! He does well, but still not sleeping through the night. He moves around a lot, and if it's any indication of how he will be when he is mobile, we are screwed!! So he gets himself stuck in the siderails of the crib and we have to get up and get him out. Luckily Auntie Kellie loaned us her video monitor and Eric stares at it all night long!

There is not a whole lot else is going on as far as major milestones, just growing and changing everyday. I can't believe how fast time goes. I know I say that in every post, but it still amazes me that it was already 14 weeks ago that I had him. I still look at him and can't believe he is really ours to keep! He is such a blessing and we are so honored to be his parents. I just hope that we can do half as good of a job raising him as our parents raised us! At least we have good role models! Anyway, I will try to keep posting! He has his first 5K coming up on October 1st. Bumpa, Gammy, Uncle Chad and Aunt Tani are all coming to visit that weekend too so it should be a blast! We are all going to the Chiefs vs Vikings game! Not sure who I want to root for, but know that Eric will be rooting for the Vikings! Evan will not be attending this game, but I am sure it won't be long before he does! Take care and stay posted!

the joys of watching growth!

Evan with his Great Grandma Keating!!
Evan with his Nana!

Evan with his Papa!

Wow! What an amazing treat to watch Evan grow and develop every day. It really makes you consider what really matters in your life when you watch your son delight in just finding and sucking on his own hand! It's like discovering things all over again through the eyes of your 12 week old child. Realizing that he is seeing things for the first time ever and it is developing his little mind is miraculous to me! I just hope that we are doing him justice and setting him up for a life that he will love and live to the fullest, whatever that entails!

So Evan is 12 weeks and 4 days old today. He is getting so big (at least we think he is!) and is becoming more and more aware every day! He recently has discovered his right hand and LOVES to suck on it all day! He holds his arm up in the air and makes a fist and thinks it is very funny to punch his momma in the face! He's lucky he's so cute! It makes me wonder if he is going to be right handed? He is such a happy baby and is smiling and cooing more and more! No giggling yet, but I hope that comes soon, not that I want him to grow up any faster! He definately notices when someone walks in the room. He loves to play patty cake and he especially loves to clap to Miley Cyrus' boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap! It is stinkin adorable! He loves to stand up while we hold him and look around. He is so strong! He isn't quite rolling over yet, but I think it's coming soon and he is pushing himself up while he is on his stomach and he is starting to rock from side to side. It's hard to believe he was just a helpless little baby not that long ago! I'm not sure if I am sad that he is getting bigger or if it is going to be more fun? He is still not sleeping through the night and I am hoping that time is coming soon! He is still sleeping in our room and I can't seem to talk Eric into trying out his nursery! Maybe someday!

Since my last post, Grandma and Grandpa Helgemoe came for a visit to watch Evan while we went to see Keith Urban in concert! It is so much easier to leave him (not that is is ever easy to leave him!) knowing he is in good hands! Grandma and Grandpa Keating were just out for a visit over Labor Day weekend and it was so good to see them! We made a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma to attend Uncle Bobby's retirement party and to visit Great Grandma Keating. It was so great to see everyone and they all just loved Evan. I was so happy to have had the chance to introduce him to his great Grandma and we got some good pictures. I will treasure that memory forever! He did so well in the car ride and only cried for the last 2o minutes of both ways. We also took him to the lake for the first time and he slept the whole time! His Nana and Dad were the only ones to catch a fish, I got skunked :(

I went back to work on the 4th and it was the hardest thing I have ever done! The worst part was actually leaving the house, but the rest of the day was tough too. Thankfully Eric and my parents brought Evan to have lunch with me, so I didn't have to go the full 14 hours without seeing him. I have a feeling that it won't get any easier to leave him, especially as he begins to develop and change more and more! I feel so bad for Eric having to do it 5 days a week since he was 1 week old! I feel bad because I never knew how hard it was. I am sure this is just the beginning of the difficult things we have to endure as parents!

So the next thing we have coming up is Eric's family coming at the beginning of October for the Vikings/Chiefs football game! Evan will not be attending but he will be walking (ok, maybe riding in a stroller) in his first 5K! It is so nice having a baby because everyone wants to come and visit!! We will continue to try to keep you all updated and at least post pictures as he changes! Hope you are all doing well!!