The Second Haircut

When we went to Charlotte this past weekend, we realized that Evan was REALLY overdue for a haircut.  We got his first haircut, and, at the time, I never really thought about the fact that he would have to continue to get haircuts fairly often for the foreseeable future. 

Fortunately, Gram knew of a Great Clips nearby and Daddy was a bit shaggy as well.  So, we headed on over.  Evan had been a bit unsure at his first haircut, so we wanted to make sure it was a good experience.  First, Daddy got his haircut and Evan watched.  He thought it was quite interesting. 

 

(My little shaggy baby boy)

Next, it was Evan's turn.  We set him down in the chair on his little booster seat and he was just fine.  However, he started to fuss when she started brushing and cutting around his ears because they were ticklish.  So, we found the most interesting toy we could in their toy box and crossed our fingers.  It was actually the most fascinating toy ever, so we were in luck.  Evan was entranced for the duration of the haircut.

 

(Evan with the most interesting toy ever)

Afterward, he got a lollipop which he wasn't sure about at first, but it didn't take him long to get the hang of it.  Then, we gave him the real reward and took him for a sunny afternoon at the park.  I think this haircut made a much bigger difference than the last one.  He really looks like a big boy now, yikes!

(What a big boy!)

 (Evan thinks this is a fabulous reward!)

Professional Photographer?

One of Evan's favorite current toys is, unfortunately for Mommy, Mommy's camera.  Whenever I pull it out to take a picture of him, he says "Evan" meaning Evan wants the camera.  He takes it, changes all of my settings and takes a bunch of pictures around the house.  I guess he's following in the Davis family photographer footprints.  Take a look at some of his best work.  Such artistic flair, don't you think?

(Evan effortlessly captures the artistic angles of the hallway.)

 

(He makes even the most ordinary subject matter seem extraordinary with this baby monitor shot.)

  

(In this shot he's highlighted the stair rail knob while the living room is artistically shadowed.)

 

(In this shot, Evan tries a live subject and captures Ripple on his best side.)

Toddlers Just Want to Have Fun

In the past couple of weeks Evan has had quite a few fun play dates with his friends.  With the weather outside being so cold and wet, the boys and girls have just gotten a bit stir crazy being inside all the time.   We've had to come up with some creative activities to keep themselves occupied.  From climbing in baby toys to baking cookies they have been having a ball together even though they haven't been able to go to their usual playgrounds.

Here are some pictures from their recent indoor adventures:

(Evan relaxes on a baby play mat with his friend Quinn and Quinn's baby brother Jonas.)

(We couldn't believe we managed to get this many toddlers sitting quietly and playing in one shot-There's Carson, Nathaniel, Quinn, and Evan)

(Evan takes the camera for himself to document his play date.)

(Evan and Quinn try their hand and baking the famous Bitler chocolate chip cookies.)

 

(Evan handles the mixes while...)

  

(...Quinn cracks the eggs-quite thoroughly.)

 

(The boys work together to mix everything together.)

Everyone has had so much fun we'll definitely have to keep up our indoor play dates even when the weather gets nice!)

She will be missed

Our family lost a remarkable woman today.  Helen Wheeler, our Gudda, passed away this afternoon.  I have had the privilege of knowing Ian's grandmother, Gudda, for the past ten years.  She left behind a wonderful family that she had a large part in shaping and many memories that we will all treasure forever.

I have heard stories about the wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother that she was.  Ian and his brother share stories about summers at her pool, lego building with their grandmother, many other good times.  I have also experienced good times with her that I will never forget and have had the pleasure of getting to know the fiercely loyal, witty, loving, woman that she was.

I remember visiting her and Grandad at their apartment where there was always a bowl of chocolate waiting on the table...trying to figure out their family's strange relationship with Christmas gifts and a couple of stuffed bears....eating the famous Gudda breakfast casserole...having her co-host a beautiful bridesmaids' luncheon at my wedding...seeing her treat her great-grand pig and great-grand puppy just like true family members...and finally, seeing her bond and spend time with her great-grandson, Evan.

Here are some pictures of my favorite times with Gudda.  Our family will be missing a vital piece, but we will be stronger and happier because of the legacy that she has left behind.  Thanks to Gudda for letting us all be a part of her life.

 

(One of countless fantastic birthday celebrations shared with the family)

 

(Gudda shares a laugh with her Great-Grandson)

 

(Gudda and our little family)

  

(Another delicious feast with the whole family)

  

(Gudda and her puppy love)

  

(Our last Christmas together)

 

(A grandmother's love)

Happy Valentine's Day

 

I know it's a few days early, but I'm feeling festive because my wonderful husband brought me home some beautiful red roses tonight.  As a result, I wanted to share a little Valentine's Day love with everyone.  Check out our latest Portrait Innovations experience from last weekend.  If this doesn't put you in the Valentine's mood, nothing will!

 

(A little boy shares a rose with his mom.)

  

(My happy Evan!)

  

(Looking sweet)

  

(oooh, what is this?)

  

(candy!!)

  

(this is pretty good stuff...)

 

(Yum!)

  

(Evan with his Gram and Gramps)

 

(Our little family celebrates Valentine's Day)

Focus Group

On Friday Evan and I decided to go on a field trip to school.  We headed down to the school where I used to teach, The Hill Center.  Our mission while we were there was to visit Mrs. Saunders' class.  She has a class of 3rd and 4th graders and graciously offered her class up to me for an hour.  I brought the childrens' book that I had been working on for years so that I could read it to some kids and get their feedback.

Fortunately, Evan had a great babysitter and enjoyed spending the time with Mrs. Saunders in the back of the classroom.  I read the story and everything worked out great!  The kids were fabulous editors and gave me lots of good points to consider.  It was also good to just have the experience of reading it out loud.  I liked the way it sounded, and I think with a few minor tweaks it will soon be ready to send out to the big wide world.  There's a writing contest deadline at the end of February that I'm shooting for, and then I'll hopefully send it out to publishers shortly thereafter.  We'll see how it goes.

Evan absolutely loved his trip to school!  All of the teachers were so nice to him, and when I visited with some former students Evan discovered that middle schoolers are the funniest people in the whole world.  He loved running up and down the hallways and getting into everything he could find.  After our focus group we headed to Fudruckers for lunch with some of the Hill teachers.  Evan didn't really eat much lunch (big surprise), but he loved his cookie we took to-go in the car.

Here are a few pictures from our adventure at school.  As you can see, it was fun but exhausting!

(Back in a very familiar place...the front of a classroom)

(Evan hangs out while I read.)

  

(He looks pretty at home at school, doesn't he?)

 

(Man, school is tiring!)

The Family Passes Through

So, I've already mentioned that a few weeks ago Aunt Audra, Grandma, and Cousin Jack all stopped through here on their way to Tennessee to visit Grandma Rose.  Although it was a short visit, we had a fabulous time and it was great to see them.  I can't believe we didn't take more pictures of the fun that we had, but we did take a few so I wanted to share all the fun with everyone.

On the first day of their visit we took Jack for his first formal portraits at Portrait Innovations.  As you have already seen, the pictures turned out wonderfully!  It was great to have pictures of all of these parts of our family together!

It seems like most of the trip was spent eating, so as soon as Evan was done napping, we started that trend with a trip to Q-Shack for some North Carolina BBQ that Audra had been craving followed by a sweet treat that I requested at Local Yogurt.  We finished out that day with a trip to the mall for some post-baby shopping for Audra.  It was nice to actually have some family to shop with even though I won't really be looking at clothes for another few months!  We finished out the day with some down time at home and a wonderful home-cooked dinner.

The next day we headed out for some coffee in the morning to meet some of Evan and I's friends.  It was really nice to have Audra, Mom, and Jack meet all of our friends.  Moms had some good conversation while kids ran around and blew off some steam.  Jack watched everything intently and couldn't wait to join in!  After Evan's nap, we continued the eating tradition and headed up to Downtown Durham to meet Ian.  We ate at a panini restaurant called Toast that I'd been wanting to try.  It was delicious and made even better by a stop at Locopops afterward.  One more stop at the Carter's Outlet for some new baby and toddler clothes made the day complete. 

The next morning the group continued their journey to Tennessee, leaving only two very sad doggies behind for me to keep and eye on until they passed back through.  After a very adventurous week, they too went home when everyone passed back through town on their way to Connecticut.  I am so glad that everyone was able to come visit.  It's hard when family lives so far away, and you really treasure every little bit of time you get to spend with them.  Come back soon guys!

(Aunt Katy and her adorable nephew Jack)

 (Mom and Audra enjoy their Locopops)

 

(Evan doesn't think his is half bad either!)

Double the Cuteness

My sister, mom and Audra's baby Jack came to visit last weekend.  Since Audra doesn't have any Portrait Innovations in her part of the country, we all thought it was definitely time to get Jack's first formal portraits.  Plus, it gave us a chance to get some pictures with the boys together!  So, we headed over there, and as usual, we found far too many pictures that we liked and spent far too much money.  I guess that's the trouble when you have the cutest babies ever!

I'm not going to post the pictures of Jack individually because Audra will post them on her blog, so everyone can check out the cuteness there.  Here are some of my other favorites:

 

(Grandma and her two boys)

(The sisters and the cousins)

 

(You can tell that they're already planning future mischief!)