Gobble, Gobble

Thanksgiving at the Mhire household has come and gone, and we are all trying to recover from all the festivities and fantastic food! We spent Thanksgiving morning happily watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and eating donuts. Evan absolutely loved every time someone sang a song during the parade. He's definitely a musical kid.

After the donuts and parade, the dog show came on television. While Max, Al, and Ripple were all entranced, we started the cooking.

(Ripple)

(Max)

(Al)

Ian had turkey duty, and everyone else handled the desserts and the sides.

(Ian and Evan check on the turkey.)

(Katy and Evan lick the beater from the cream cheese jello topping.)

(Dad preps one of the stuffings.)

(Ian carves the turkey for the second year in a row.)

By 5 o'clock, the feast that had been created was tremendous. The rest of the family enjoyed the feast, but the boys weren't quite as sure. Evan sampled his first Thanksgiving where he could actually eat food. However, he decided he would only eat rolls, mashed potatoes, and blueberry jello. He did enjoy those things though. Meanwhile, Jack is still on a strict milk diet, but he did at least sit next to the turkey--only 11 more pounds and he'll be as big as our dinner!

(The family eats.)

(The feast)

(Evan chows down on his Thanksgiving dinner.)

(I think the turkey might win this time.)

(Maybe next year he'll get a bite.)

It was a great day, a delicious feast, and a wonderful time spent with family. I can't believe it's time to go home already!

Introducing Baby Jack

I have officially been an aunt for a week and I am loving it! Baby Thomas Jackson Mhire arrived at 3:07 pm on Monday, November 16. He was 20 inches long and weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. (a little bigger and taller than his cousin Evan). The new family has been doing well and is settling in to life at home.

(already being brainwashed!)

Grandma and Grandpa have been here to help, and Evan and I arrived on Saturday. Since then, we've all been relaxing and enjoying our turns holding Baby Jack, and trying to help out as much as we can. Evan can say "Jack", but other than that, doesn't have much to do with him. However, Evan loves the dogs, Max and Al who have had a little bit of a shock since Jack arrived home.

(my nephew and my son--I'm loving it!)

(sisters)

Audra and Tommy are doing well. Audra is recovering, we just have to convince her to rest and not move around too much. They are both a little tired from lack of sleep, but I can already tell they are such good parents. They really work as a team and are both there for Baby Jack--He's a lucky kid!

(the happy family)

Jack is doing well, and it adjusting to the whole being born thing. He has been eating really well ever since I arrived and alternates between the eating, sleeping, and pooping-just what a one-week old should do. He looks like his parents, although I couldn't pick out specific features just yet. In the few seconds that he is alert and awake each day, he is really observant for such a young baby. It looks like he's really watching his surroundings and taking it all in.

(taking it all in)

Like I said, I'm really enjoying this aunt thing and am really looking forward to a great Thanksgiving with family. We will be glad when Ian and Rip arrive on Wednesday to complete the party. Welcome to the world Baby Jack!

Saturday Gone Wild

We all woke up Saturday morning with no idea how we would fill the day-Should we do chores? Should we go shopping? Maybe a park for Evan? Then we thought of an even better idea-the zoo! We had been meaning to go to the North Carolina Zoo ever since we moved back, and Saturday seemed like the perfect day to do it.

So, we waited until Evan nap time and then hopped in the car for the hour drive to the zoo. After a quick stop for lunch we parked and made our way in. First stop, North America. Evan was especially excited to see the sea lions with their underwater viewing area and the black bears who were putting on a show running back and forth. He cried when we finally pulled him away from the sea lions, bears, otters, and probably some other animals that I can't remember.

(sea lion lovebirds)

(Evan watches a sea lion speed by.)

(The black bears rub noses on their way past each other.)

(Our little bear loves the bears!)

(little pink hummer)

(A bobcat or ocelot or kitty cat (we're not sure) poses for the camera.)

We then walked on to Africa. I was pretty proud of walking 5 miles in my pregnant out of shape condition. In Africa, Evan's favorite was the chimpanzees or gorillas. We searched and searched to find the elephants and finally found them at closing time. They were a bit tricky to see, but after being perched on Daddy's shoulders, Evan got a good look.

(Evan and I bond with a chimp.)

(A chimp watches us as we watch him.)

(This is the way to travel!)

Evan loves animals, and we all had a great time! Maybe we should have just left our little monkey with the other wild animals?

Picture Perfect Yet Again

Evan is almost 17 months old and *gasp* we hadn't gone for portraits since his first birthday. So, Gram and Gramps decided it was about time that we make our way to our local Portrait Innovations and remedy the situation. So, while Gram was up visiting we headed on over for Evan's 16 and 1/2 month pictures.

Yet again, Evan is the cutest baby ever photographed, so the only hard part was narrowing down the collection. Here are a few of the highlights. I'm not posting the Christmas shots. Everyone will have to wait for the card to see them!!

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

...but don't my boys look delightful! It had been blustery and rainy the past few days as the remnants of Ida make their way through. We've been stuck at home, but I had to post these pictures of my boys because they looked so cute in their fall gear yesterday. Ripple came home from his grooming appointment clean and with a lovely fall kerchief, and I loved Evan in these overalls with this coat. Too bad you can't tell his shoes match his coat too!

(Sorry, he looks a little bug-eyed--The red eye removal feature is not perfect, HA!)

(Future model??)

Ye Olde Trip to Charlotte

Last weekend, The Davis family hopped in the car and headed back down to Charlotte for another adventure. This time we met Gram and Gramps at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Both of our families had been frequently when we were growing up, so this type of festival held fond memories for both Ian and I, and we couldn't wait to share the experience with Evan.

The fair was everything we expected. It was a beautiful fall day and actually got a little bit warm. There were crowds of people interspersed with fairies, kings, queens, knights, jesters, and all other manner of Renaissance folk. There were stalls where you could buy everything from a wooden sword to a fairy head dress or pet dragon. There were large hunks of meat on bone to purchase and consume as well as all manner of alcoholic beverages. Shows of every kind greeted us as we rounded each corner: comedians, jousts, jugglers, men on stilts, men who didn't have stilts so they jumped on each other's shoulders instead, belly dancers, and fire eaters. We didn't know where to head first.

(The crowds enjoy the festivities.)

(Belly dancers)

(The royal court marches by.)

Fortunately for us, toddlers always know what they are interested in, and it is almost never what you expect. The first exciting site that Evan had to stop and explore was the gravel on the ground-little rocks, how fabulous! Then, it was on to the fake flowers in a flowerpot next to one of the vendors-we even missed the king and queen walking by to examine these beauties. Another popular sight to see was Gramp's water bottle-it was also fun to drink out of.

(One of Evan's favorite sights-fake flowers!)

(Another favorite-Gramps and his water bottle)

While Evan liked these rather more obscure aspects of the fair, he did also like some of the actual festival entertainment. Every time we passed a musical show or performance of any sort we had to stop, entranced. From harps to singers, they were all absolutely amazing to Evan. I think we're going to have a musician on our hands. He also thought the farm animals were interesting as usual and the camel and elephant that people were riding. The fudge that Gram purchased at one of the vendors was particularly yummy, and the red sparkly dragon that we bought for Evan kept him entertained quite well, especially if it tickled his belly. Strangely enough he wanted nothing to do with the little wooden sword that we found for him-a pacifist, I guess.

(Cool Evan tries on Gram's shades.)

(Cool Daddy tries on a hat.)

(Evan improves upon his look by adding a hat.)

(My boys)

(I love this picture!-Notice the title of the scene.)

All in all, we had a fantastic day spending time with the family, exploring the sights, and watching Evan take in all the new experiences. Ian and I have always loved going to festivals together, and taking Evan along brings a fresh eye to every experience and a new level of fun. We can't wait for our next trip to a new world!

A Day Redeemed

So, today started off as Katy's No Good, Horrible, Very Bad Day. First, Evan decided to get up at 4, and no matter what Ian and I tried, he was awake. That is, until we gave up about 5:30 and brought him in bed with us. (We never do that!) He crawled around for a while and then passed out in a very uncomfortable position on top of me. Therefore, the rest of the family slept until about 7:45 while I laid there uncomfortably. sigh.

When we finally did get up, I realized that we wouldn't be able to go to our morning play date that we were looking forward to because of all of the winter germs that are running rampant. (Long story, won't bore you with it.)

So, we set off on a walk, preceded by a tantrum, in the gray drizzly weather. Once we got home, I knew I needed to rake the leaves in the back, so I got the baby appropriately attired, grabbed the rake and broom, and we headed out onto the screened porch. When I shut the door to the house, I heard an ominous "click". Then, I realized that the other lock we never turn had somehow been turned and we were all locked out...no cell phone, no car keys, no stroller, nothing.

I figured I'd rake while I determined what to do. After the raking, I decided to head down to one of my neighbor's houses to see if I could call Ian to bring me a key. Once I got there I realized that Ian's cell phone was sitting on our coffee table (in the locked house) and his company had just moved offices so they hadn't gotten their phones hooked up. I had no idea what to do. Thankfully, my WONDERFUL neighbor, Myong offered to borrow a car seat from another neighbor and drive us up to Ian's office to get his key. So, we do that. When I get there, Ian asks, "So, why didn't you just use the spare key we have hidden in the..." Sigh...if I would have known about the spare key, I would have used it, right?

When I got home I was exhausted. It was raining out side, and my mood was just as gray. Fortunately, a change was in store. When Evan woke up from his nap, we decided to build a fort out of blankets and chairs. We turned off all the lights, got some books, and crawled in. You'd be amazed what some fun in a blanket fort can do for your mood. It was so much fun just to hang out with him and see what a good time he was having. We made shadow puppets on the chair, read books, sang songs, and just goofed off. I think one of the most important things for us stay-at-home moms to remember is just to have fun and be a kid with our little ones. This time together definitely won't last forever!

We are Pleased to Announce...

...the arrival of Baby Davis #2 in May!

Evan is thrilled that he will soon be a big brother. (Actually, he really doesn't know yet, but hopefully he will be thrilled!) I just had my 13 week appointment and ultrasound and the baby looks healthy and happy and is growing perfectly. On the other hand, I have been feeling pretty sick. Fortunately, I haven't been as sick as last time, but I still have not felt good. I hope I'm coming to the end of all of the nausea, and soon I will just be able to enjoy everything.

We found out about Baby Davis' impending arrival two days before the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Half Marathon. Boy, it was much harder than the first half marathon I ran. I was so tired the whole time. So, I was really proud of my time that was only a minute slower than my first one. Can't wait to see what I can do after he/she arrives!

Here are some pictures from our most recent ultrasound. I've never had a 3-D ultrasound, so I think they're pretty neat. I even think this baby looks different than Evan did in his ultrasound. We should find out in December whether Evan will have a little brother or sister.

We can't wait to give everyone the continued updates...stay tuned!

(This baby just sat there calmly like this throughout the whole ultrasound. How different than Brother Evan!)

(3-D ultrasound-very, very cool!)

Evolution of a Halloween Portrait

So, during all of Evan's Halloween festivities lots of pictures were taken. As you could see by the previous post, toddler photography, especially with multiple toddlers, is a tricky business. This could not have been more clear than when my friend Mary and I tried to get a picture of Evan and her daughter Kalina. Evan was a puppy dog and Kalina was a kitty for Halloween, so we thought it would be a great picture. Here is our series of attempts, with the most successful at the end. They didn't turn out quite as good as we had hoped, but it was quite an adventure in the art of toddler photography!

(Look, Evan and Kalina are next to each other. Oh, wait, that picture didn't come out so well.)

(Smile...No, wait, Kalina turn around.)

(Now we've got Kalina turned around, but we've lost Evan.)

(Well, they've both wandered off now, but at least they're in the same picture.)

(Okay, this is just getting worse.)

(Maybe they'll stay still if they can look out the window.)

(Both kids are looking at the camera at the same time. I hope everyone appreciates the picture!)