A Large Issue

So, it has come to my attention recently that people have been wondering why there haven't been more belly pictures on the blog and otherwise posted during this pregnancy.  Honestly, it's because I haven't really thought about it.  We have managed throughout both pregnancies to take pictures every once and a while of me wearing the same outfit, so we could see how big I really got, but with this one, there haven't been quite as many.  I am much, much bigger with this pregnancy, not so much weight-wise, but sheer size of the belly.  I can tell by the way my clothes fit and definitely if I look at pictures. 

The other thing about my belly that is new with this pregnancy is the appeal that it holds for one little toddler that I know.  Evan is absolutely obsessed with mommy's "tummy".  He is perpetually wanting to go up to the tummy, lift my shirt up, and listen for "brother".  It's very cute, although not so helpful in public places. 

So, I will go ahead and appease the blog-reading public and post some belly pictures.  However, I am debating posting the whole body shot.  Anyone who sees these pictures will notice the rather unfortunate scary, puffy pregnant Katy face that comes with the big belly.  It was there in the last pregnancy too.  So, we'll see how generous I'm feeling when I'm posting the pictures.  The heads may just get cropped off! HA!

I am to the point now where I can't wait for the baby to get here.  I can't wait to hold him, have him meet his big brother, and I can't wait to have him out of me.  Not long now, and we will all get to meet him!  Then, it's off to the races with that marathon training that I promised myself I would do, yikes!

(A belly picture I actually like with a big brother listening in on his little brother)

(Pregnant with Evan with two weeks until my due date)

(Pregnant with Baby #2 with two weeks left-notice the really weird, scary expression I have in both pictures, creepy, huh?)

Toddler Tumbler

Last Friday, for our weekly adventure, we went to Bull City Gymnastics for some free playing with all of their equipment.  While we go to Little Gym every week, this was a little different because the equipment was geared toward older kids and elite gymnasts as well.

I wasn't sure how Evan would react.  He's always a little cautious about physical things.  I didn't know how much he would get into.  I took one look at the foam pits and trampolines and thought, "No Way!" 

However, I was completely surprised.  Those were the two things I couldn't get him away from.  He loved doing his one-legged jump (He hasn't quite mastered jumping with both feet.) and running across the trampoline.  Then there was the foam cube pit.  They put a mat in the middle of it to make it easier for the kids to get in, and once I set Evan in on the mat he had a great time throwing foam cubes and eventually jumping in the cubes himself! 

I had several pictures of Evan's day at the gym, but none compare to this one, so I think this sums up our morning pretty well.

What a Difference a Year Makes

I was at a playground today with Evan and some of his friends. Every once and a while the moms would have to stop whatever they were talking about and just stare at our little boys. It has been so much fun to watch them grow up and actually start to interact with one another. While most of the time their interacting just consists of playing with each other in the same area, occasionally they start laughing with each other and once we even saw talking. It's amazing to see these boys grow up and start to become true friends with each other.

This made us think back to a year ago when our group first started to get together.  Last summer, we went to the mall and took a pictures of all of our boys, both individually and together. We decided to recreate those pictures again. While getting the group shot of the boys was considerably harder, we still did manage to get all five wiggly toddlers in the same frame.

A year ago, they weren't all walking, only a few of them had the occasional word, we were just starting to see little snippets of their personalities, and they were certainly still our little baby boys. Now, they're our toddlers: walking, talking, arguing, playing, and certainly developing ownership of their little personalities.

Our little group has changed a little with the addition of Abe and at last, a girl, Kalina, but I don't have pictures of them to add in yet.

We can't wait to continue to watch them grow up together. Take a look at what a difference a year makes.

Evan 2009...

Evan 2010...

Edward 2009...

Edward 2010...

Carson 2009...

Carson 2010...

Nathaniel 2009...

Nathaniel 2010...

Quinn 2009...

Quinn 2010...

The whole group 2009...

Yep, that's as close as we could get them...2010

Q Turns 2!

It is officially birthday season around our little playgroup, and the first to hit the big milestone was Evan's buddy Quinn.  He had a party at his house, and everyone had a fabulous time!  It all started with the kids and adults getting a chance to play with the toys out in the front yard and nibble on some delicious refreshments.

(Evan creates some artwork on the driveway.)

Then...we heard a rumble in the background.  No, it wasn't thunder, the day was beautiful and sunny.  The toddlers all turned their heads and the rumble got louder.  Suddenly, from around the corner came the attraction of the day, a real, live fire truck!!

(The fire truck parks out in front of the birthday boy's house.)

The kids all had mixed reactions.  Most were interested but were a little scared.  They hung back and watched as the fire fighters got out of the truck to show everyone around.  Other kids were scared of the big shiny red truck.  Unfortunately, this group included the birthday boy.  It was all a bit much to have a fire truck sitting in his own front yard.  There was also one other toddler reaction to the truck.  This was to run up to the truck and try to hop in the front seat and drive off before the firefighters knew what was happening.  This is what our dear toddler Evan did.  He LOVES to drive, and the fire truck was just perfect for him.  He enjoyed every bit of it, except when he had to get out.

(Evan gets some help to hop in after the truck arrives.)

(The newest fireman practices his driving skills.)

(Dad and Evan check out the buttons up close.)

(A portrait in front of the truck)

The party concluded with some great fun in the back yard on their play set and, of course, cake!  It was beautiful and delicious, and everyone loved it.

(The beautiful fire truck cake)

(The birthday boy munches on his cake.)

Evan went home with a party favor bag that included some green sunglasses because Quinn always looks cool in his shades.  Now, Evan won't take them off when he eats.  He has to wear them at the dinner table to be as cool as his buddy Quinn.

I can't wait as more of our little ones reach that big milestone this spring!

A Daily Dose of Cuteness

Friday was another day at yet another playground.  Evan and I would spend all day outside playing if we could.  We had never been to this playground before, and Evan and his friends thoroughly enjoyed it.  I have much more newsy posts coming up soon, but, for today, I thought everyone would appreciate a little dose of Evan cuteness.  So, here you go:

(Evan cooks us a little dinner in the outdoor kitchen.)

(We were really excited about riding the dinosaur--Look at that smile!)

Pampering for Pregnant Bellies

We're getting close to the arrival of Baby Davis #2, only 3.5 weeks to go!  In honor of the upcoming occasion and another bundle of joy arriving for my friend Hilary in July, we had a night out on the town last week.  The rest of the girls in our moms' group decided to take us out for a little much-needed pampering, and it was wonderful!

We started off the night at a nail salon where we all received manicures and pedicures without ever having to get up out of our seat!  We also had little munchies to tide us over while we were pampered.  So, now my toes are a lovely shade of summery pink/orange, and my fingers are a paler shade of pink.  I only give the manicure a week, but I'm hoping the pedicure can make it as close to baby's arrival as possible!

(The girls getting pampered)

After our pampering we all headed down to Nantucket Grill for some dinner and dessert.  It was so nice to have a night out with just the girls.  Usually our coversations are interrupted midstream with a toddler pulling us off by the finger at the playground, doing something they shouldn't, or not sharing with their friends.  Needless to say, not many conversations get completed, and it was nice to finally have a chance to talk.  Plus, the food was delicious and the desserts were free!  What more could you ask for?

(The happy group of mommies: Sarah, me, Maya, Abby, Hilary, and Danielle)

(My free dessert: chocolate strawberry shortcake--can you believe this was only a half-slice?)

(Hilary and I even wore matching outfits for the occasion! HA!)

I am very thankful for the wonderful friends I have, and I can't wait to share our upcoming joy with them!

A Gardener, but not an Equestrian

Last week, Evan and I had the chance to go to another farm with our friends.  This one was called Spence's Farm, and while it was a bit expensive for Mommy's taste, Evan had a great time so it was well worth it.  We arrived with Evan's friends Carson and Nathaniel and their mommies just in time for a toddler tour of the farm to start.  While I think it was geared towards kids a bit older than them, they still had a great time.

First we went to the garden to pick some mint.  I was a little worried about this because I didn't think that picking plants could hold Evan's interest for very long.  Boy, was I wrong!  He grabbed his bucket and climbed back in amongst the brush.  He started sniffing and pulling up the mint at record pace.  Plus, he was really interested in it.  He kept pointing to plants and asking me if they were mint.  I'll have to do some more gardening with him sometime soon!

(Evan intently picks the mint.)

Next, we headed to the chicken coup.  This was a different experience for him.  The chickens were just roaming free with the toddlers, and I think this scared Evan just a bit.  For the first few minutes he just cried.  Finally, when he found a few in cages he went over and watched them, but he wanted nothing to do with petting or touching a chicken in any way.

(Carefully watching the safe birds behind the fence)

After that, it was on to the pond.  We wandered around the edge and looked at the tadpoles.  While Evan had no interest in watching the tadpoles, he did enjoy picking up sand and throwing it in the lake.  He kept inching his little feet closer and closer to the water and watching me to see if I would stop him.  Fortunately, he didn't get that wet!

(Inching the feet closer to the water)

Finally it was on to the main event, or should I say "mane" event (bad joke).  We headed over to the ponies.  Evan was a bit scared at first, but after a while he went over to one of the ponies and had a great time brushing her.  After the brushing were the pony rides.  Unfortunately, 2 year-olds are not very good at standing in line.  So, instead of getting a turn quickly.  Evan and one of his friends, Carson decided to wander until they were the last two left.  By that point, they had sort of forgotten about the ponies.  I don't know whether that had anything to do with it, but when his turn finally came around, Evan did not want to ride them.  He cried whenever we tried to pick him up to put him on the pony's back.  So, while we couldn't get him to ride the pony, he did enjoy petting her, and when the guide gave us the opportunity to hold the its lead, he jumped at it.  So, Evan was the only toddler who had the chance to "walk" the pony, and he had a great time!

(Brushing the pony while waving and saying "HI!")

(Mom and Evan meet the pony up close.)

(A little pony walking)

After a lovely lunch at their shaded picnic tables we headed home.  It was a great morning, and I had a worn out toddler by the end of the morning.  That's the sign of a good time!

Mr. Greedy

So, for the past few weeks Evan's very favorite book has been, Mr. Greedy, one of the Mr. Men series.  He absolutely loves it and requests it every story time.  Here's a picture of Evan with his favorite book.

I wonder why it's his current favorite???

Happy Easter!

So, Easter Sunday has come and gone.  It's always a fun, but hectic day for our family.  By this point in North Carolina it feels like spring has really sprung and summer is somewhere nearby.  So, I'm always crazy with spring fever and have so many things I want to do.  Meanwhile, Easter usually coincides with some of the worst days of the year for those that have allergies in this area, so Ian usually wants to do nothing more on Easter than stay inside away from all the pollen and hope that he doesn't have to blow his nose quite as much.  However, despite our differing springtime points of view, our family all had a wonderful Easter day.

The Davis clan woke up with the toddler, and we all came downstairs to find that the Easter Bunny had visited overnight.  Evan was thrilled with all of the goodies that came in his basket, chocolate and otherwise.  He immediately had to rip open the chocolate bunny and take a nibble.  The playdoh kit, bubble wand, the coloring book, and the laser top were definitely all big hits!  Ripple also loved the laser top and both of them spent quite a while watching it twirl around the floor. (Thanks Great-Grandma Dot!) 

After we looked through all of the goodies that the Easter bunny had brought us we discovered that he might have also left some eggs hidden in the living room.  So, Evan grabbed his basket and he went searching.  He did pretty well actually searching and finding a few.  He managed to find about 12 before his interest moved on to something else.  I'd say that's pretty good for 21-months old.

(Evan checks out his Easter basket.)

(Taste testing the chocolate bunny)

(Ripple helps Evan play with the laser top.)

(Evan learns about the magic that is Pez.)

(He shows off his basket and most recent find while searching for eggs.)

(Evan points out the location of another egg.)

Once the eggs had all been found and the chocolate had been placed above doggy snout level, we put on our Easter finery and went to church.  We knew it was flower communion this time, so we came prepared with lots of allergy medicine for Daddy!  However, it turned out to not be quite the problem it was a couple of years ago because our family spent most of the service in the sound-proof child room outside the sanctuary.  Actually, Evan spent a good bit of time sniffing the flowers outside the building altogether!

After an eventful morning, our little guy was definitely ready for some snoozing, so we headed home for naptime.  However, the morning must have been so exciting that he just couldn't sleep.  After a while, we gave up and the festivities continued.  Our next outing was to the Duke Gardens which are absolutely beautiful this time of year.  I love getting pictures of my boy with all the beautiful plants and flowers.  It was a big more tricky this time because trying to get a toddler to sit still and pose is quite difficult, but we definitely got some cute shots and had a good time roaming around.

(Evan takes time to smell the tulips.)

(A mom and her boy--as he tries to escape to run through the flowers)

(The Davis boys after running through the fields)

(Evan's seen enough--he's getting outta here!)

It was a fantastic day spent with family.  Even though we were all pretty exhausted by the end of it, we had all had a lot of fun.  Easter has officially ushered in what looks to be a very exciting spring and the Davis family says...bring it on!