4 Months and Christmas too!

Evan had his 4 month check up last week. He now weighs 15 1/2 pounds and is 25 inches long. He's growing so big...and chubby too! We went for shots today at the health department, which was much more cost effective ($5 !!!) and Evan only cried for a few minutes this time. We could tell he felt bad that evening and the next day, but overall he did great. He rolled over four times during the second week of December, but now he doesn't seem very interested in trying again. He seems to be focussing on his hands again now. He likes feeling different textures and holding things. He has also started putting his hands in his mouth, and he seems to want to taste whatever he's holding. We're trying to practice sitting up and rolling over. I love it when he props himself up on his elbows while lying on his tummy. Evan goes to sleep around 8:30 and does not wake up for a feeding anymore. He usually wakes up once, but only needs his paci or to be re-swaddled, then falls right back to sleep. Geoff wakes up with him around 6:00 AM and feeds him a bottle.

I didn't see Evan roll over for the first time, but this is how I found him. He was confused, then proud.

"I don't know what happened, Mom! I was on my tummy and now I am on my back!"

We had a wonderful Christmas. Unfortunately, Evan was pretty fussy on Christmas Eve. I think there was alot more going on than he was used to. Geoff, Evan, and I spent the night at Meme and Reagan's house. Then we spent a very nice Christmas day there as well. Evan has TONS of new toys for the upcoming year. I should be punished for not taking more pictures of Evan's first Christmas. I'll try better next year.

Evan's first ride in the jet! We went to visit Aunt Jana and John in Harrison, AR. The trip took about 45 minutes. He slept the entire way up there and played most of the way back. Evan is a great little traveler!

We were honored by a visit from Geoff's Grandpa and Judee in December. The drove all the way from Lake City, Florida to meet the newest Swihart. We had a nice relaxing weekend, full of great food and great stories. We are looking forward to a visit from Geoff's dad and Grandpa next month so we can see all four generations of Swihart men together.

3 Months!

Evan is now 12 weeks old. I can't believe how much he grows and changes every day. Evan usually wakes up happy. Many times we have to wake him up in the mornings! After his bottle he plays for about an hour or two. Then he usually takes a good nap, from two to three hours. He wakes up hungry and ready to play again. This routine usually repeats itself until after 5:00 PM. At that point, Evan naps a little less and is sometimes a little fussy. If he does get fussy, he is usually content in his swing. He has a bath, a bottle, and a little swinging before bedtime, then one more bottle. Evan is sleeping from about 10:00 PM until around 6:00 AM most nights. He still occasionally wakes up for a 3:00 AM feeding, but this is getting less frequent. Luckily the 3:00 AM feedings usually occur on the weekends. Evan has discovered his hands. He can reach out for toys, and we catch him studying his hands from time to time. He doesn't have it completely figured out yet, but it is exciting watching him learn. Evan has gotten really good at holding his head up during tummy time. He really works hard at this! He can hold his head up and look around now. He also holds his head up well when we are carrying him or sit him up for a moment. My favorite, though, is his wonderful smile and laugh. He will get really tickled at something we are doing and just laugh and laugh. Here are some pictures from the past few weeks. We are having professional pictures taken this afternoon. I hope to get them posted soon.

"I hate these silly church clothes!"

Evan is pooping (and destroying

his church clothes) in this picture.

Evan and Daddy both approved of this outfit.

Special visit from NaNa.

Despite all our effort, Auburn did not win.

Two Months!

Evan seems to be growing so fast. He spends alot of time studying new objects. He especially likes his stuffed animals, Gill (the Fisher-Price aquarium fish in his crib), our faces, mirrors, and the little animals that hang above the pack and play. Now that the weather has improved, Evan has been spending more time outside. It's so much fun to watch him look around and take it all in. He is getting better at holding his head up too. Evan has had a few more nights of sleeping for 6 to 8 hour stretches. Keep your fingers crossed that he keeps this up!

I started back to work this week. I'm only going in two or three short days per week for now. I'll be back full time in December. Meme has been watching Evan in the afternoons that I work. I dread taking him to daycare in December, but we will make the best of it.

Evan had his two month check-up yesterday. He weighs 11 pounds and 12 ounces and is 22 1/2 inches long. Unfortunately, it was also time for his first round of shots. Poor little angel. I have never seen him so upset. He didn't cry for long, but it just broke my heart. He was a little fussy yesterday, but woke up smiling this morning. Hopefully he's already feeling better.

Evan was so happy as we were getting him ready to go to the doctor. He had no clue what was in store for today.

"Yipee. I'm 8 weeks old today!""What? I'm not going to spend the day at Meme's?""What's a shot?"

Showing off his wounds and the Bugs Bunny bandaids.

Halloween

Evan was a tiger for his first Halloween. Evan wore his costume to the Country Club for lunch on Saturday. We didn't go to the carnival or trick-or-treating this year, but we had fun nonetheless. Grandpa and Aunt Rachel were in town for the weekend from South Carolina. We all enjoyed a nice relaxing weekend in Lake Village. I can't wait for Geoff's family to visit again, and next time we hope to see Amy too!