Poor Evan has been sick! He was running a temp the past three days (up to 103) and we made the trip to Urgent Care this morning to make sure he was alright. We wouldn't have been concerned, but he kept losing his balance this morning so we thought it was his ears. The Dr. couldn't find anything wrong. No ear infection. No meningitis. No nothing. They even did blood work to be sure. (Its probably a virus.) But boy, oh, boy - Evan has been miserable! He has been so cranky from not sleeping well. Mommy and Daddy need a vacation. Just kidding. I don't think I could leave the little guy behind for the life of me. He's just too darn cute! Besides, he's feeling much better today.

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Whadda' ya' know, Cheerio?

Awww, the boys asleep on the couch together...does it get any cuter?

Having some "naked time" in the yard today. After three days with a fever, and it being 80+ and HUMID out today, Evan was sooooo happy to let his skin get some air.

Whoa - Staring contest! Jonas was intent on not letting Evan get a hold of his new hamburger squeaky toy. Too bad. Evan took it anyway. Evan 12, Jonas zero. Jonas may give "the look," but he lets Evan walk all over him.

Augie enjoying some grassy nibbles.

Yeah! Food time! We have cut back considerably on Evan's solid food intake. He has only gained 2 pounds in the past FIVE months (since November.) The doctor didn't say much, except Evan is healthy, otherwise. He told us to give him more bottles - so we are. He was consuming enough calories for his age, but he seems to burn them up faster than most so we are upping the anti a bit.

Oh - and did I mention he can walk with a walker now? This thing was the best $3 I ever spent (yeah for garage sales.)

And he's no longer the cuddle bug he used to be! Now he wants to be on the floor, standing up (and banging on) everything. He has such a good time chasing the cats, its cute. He's "cruising" pretty well now, and can stand alone for 5-10 seconds.

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HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK:

So, I was on the phone with Kodak (because our printer isn't working) and Evan is yelling and crawling around everywhere (he likes to yell when he's on the move) and so I moved into the kitchen from where we were in the bathroom, because it echos so bad in there and I couldn't hear the nice lady from Kodak, right? Here Evan is 10 seconds later...

.

Yup, he found the toilet paper roll.

And here he is with a piece stuck to his foot. Classic.

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Does your kid eat dirt? We can't seem to keep Evan away from it. He tries to eat it almost every day, but twice he's actually managed to eat some. Today was one of those days. Luckily, it was only yard dirt and not fertilized houseplant dirt.

(Mad because Mom took the camera away from him.)

Happy Mother's Day!

Today we went to the annual Novek family Mother's Day Picnic at Uncle Al's house. Evan had a great time playing with his cousins and riding in the little green wagon. I think we might have to get one...

Xane (back), Xander, Evan and Zoe. Congratulations to Byron and Candi for their new adorable addition - Xakota ("Za-ko-tah," sorry if I butchered the spellings.) Xakota joined us today at only eight days old! He weighs 8 lbs, the same as Evan did when he was born. It was amazing to hold him and reminisce about Evan being that small. Nine months sure has come and gone fast!

Xander and Evan in what has to be the CUTEST picture ever...

Xander "helping" Evan kick the soccer ball.

Grandma! Help me get my hood off!!!

Yeah! I love my Daddy!!!

Happy Mother's Day

A few words about MOTHERS and MOMS


This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."
Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.
Y

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.
For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes.
And all the mothers who DON'T.

Y

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see.

And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.
This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.
And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.
Y

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens.
This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making
babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

Y

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.
For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again, "Just one more time."
This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

Y

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.
This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college -- or have their own families.

Y

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later
asking them to please pick them up. Right away.
Y

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year-olds dye their hair green.
Y

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.
For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.
Y

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.
Y

What makes a good mother anyway?
Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and
sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?
Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache she feels when she watches her son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?
The jolt that takes her from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put her hand on the back of a sleeping baby?
The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when she just wants to hear
their key in the door and know they are safe again in her home?
Or the need to flee from wherever she is and hug her child when she hears news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?
Y

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaperchanges and sleep deprivation...
And for mature mothers learning to let go.

Y

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.
Single mothers and married mothers.
Mothers with money, mothers without.
This is for you all. For all of us...
Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And never stop being a mother...
YYYYYYYYYY

Thanks to Evan's Great-Grandma Eileen for passing this on. I thought it was too beautiful to not share. Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there that I have the privilege of knowing (including my own.)

Evan's Grandpa is having surgery today at the Mayo Clinic - please join us in wishing him a speedy recovery!

Does this diaper make my butt look big?

Evan now has five teeth! Two on top are still coming in, and his poor gums are black and blue. Here Evan is chewing on some frozen strawberries to help with the pain - yum!

This kid is crazy! He even likes beets!!! Although, more got all over his face than in his mouth. We had a bath after this meal.



Waaahhh! I want more beets!




Oooh - gimme the camera!

Look Mom - a noodle!