Evan to Ferris: “You may weigh the same as me, but I’m still taller.”

Yup… At four months, Ferris weighs the same as 18 month old [preemie] Evan: 18 pounds! We knew it was just a matter of time.

If your preemie turns up missing, check the toybox.

‘Cause even at almost 18 months old, she’ll still fit snuggly inside.

. . . There’s that whole rule about putting the seat and lid down. *Cringe.*

Evan just can’t pass up ANY opportunity to climb. This time it did her in — literally.

We’d just taken her pony tail out and put on her PJs.  Guess she did like those.

Just as I was moving around to get a photo of exactly where her foot was, she moved her hand. Ew… I’m so grossed out, even now.

She’s one classy girl.

My girl Evan is the perfect meeting of spunk and sparkle… of gorgeousness and grit… of little lady and tom-boy. See evidence below:

If you look closely, you’ll see that she’s eating mulch. Her dress sure is pretty, though, huh?

Here she is playing outside. The second you let her feet hit the ground, she runs for the mud at the end of the driveway. (After all… she is Brady’s sister.)

Yeah, she’s one classy girl. We love her… dirt and all.

It’s [finally!] warming up here in Chicagoland, but I’ve been trying to avoid turning on the air conditioner. I just love having the windows open and getting fresh air into the house after 10 months of winter.

Because it’s been muggy, I put Evan’s hair up into another makeshift ponytail yesterday. It looked so funny that I showed Connor. “Look, Bo, Evan has a ponytail.”

He giggled and said, “Aw… She’s a gurl, like you!”

So, that’s how you tell the difference between boys and girls!

Evan’s hair is just long enough to create a teeny-tiny pony tail on the back of her head. It’s scrawny and not really suitable for public viewing yet, but cute enough to amuse all of us at home.

Last week was the first time I put her hair up like that. Shortly after I had the holder in place, Brady walked in the room. I picked her up to show him the back of her head. I said, “Brady, look! Evan has a pony tail!!”

I kid you not, he looked down at her bottom!! I could not stop laughing.

Apparently, though I often wear my hair in a pony tail, he didn’t know that’s what it was called. Guess he thought she had a real tail.

Goofball!

We just got home from Andy’s first-ever baseball game. (So, it’s T-ball… whatever.)

The Mariners played great. They were clearly more prepared than the other team. We are really blessed with great coaches who not only are patient and practice a lot, but they also have a knack for explaining things in “little kid terms.” They’re great.

Supposedly, they won, but I don’t think anyone really keeps score at these things. Andy did call Daddy to tell him they beat the Dodgers, though, so I guess it’s that official. (Poor Nate had to work during the game, but he was able to stop by on his lunch break!)

Andy played first base most of the game and pitcher later. (I should say “pitcher,” because he played on the mound, but never pitched the ball.)  He hit the ball well, too. He was giddy about the whole ordeal and didn’t seem at all embarrassed when I yelled for him. He seemed to eat it up. Silly boy.

Here’s Andy playing first base. Watch out Derrek Lee!

Though Ferris slept in her stroller through the whole game, the other kids did great, thanks to some extra attention from my super wonderful nieces Faith and Leigha. (We love you, girls. You rock! I owe you a million Tootsie Rolls.)

Here’s Evan totally absorbed with the game… or at least her fashion.

Here’s Connor, who was eagerly awaiting the fruit snacks I had packed in my bag.

Brady had fun showing off Sirus, who arrived with Daddy on their dinner break. They’re both good boys.

Andy scored three times during the game and made a few outs. His fielding was phenomonal, too… Maybe I’m a bit biased, but maybe not. The coaches awarded him the game ball for “being a wonderful first basemen!” He’s estatic and has already called Daddy to tell him.

Nate and I always argue over which of our names our babies will say first. Technically, he’s in the lead. I think all three of the boys said his name first (but my name more.)

I worked on Evan for quite some time and she actually said my name first, but continues to say his name more as he’s her favorite person in the whole wide world. She’s said “Ma” and “Da” for quite sometime and now even says “Mama” and “Dada.”

We’ve been waiting awhile to see what her next word would be… you know, the first real word. We know now.

For about six weeks, she’s been consistently saying “dista.” Sometimes it’s a question: “Dista?” Sometimes it’s an introduction: “Dista.” But it always means sister.

Evan is quite fond of her baby “dista” Ferris. She talks about her and to her and always refers to her as her “dista.” Maybe someday she’ll learn her name, too.

While we were away last week, I took the kids to a small neighborhood playground a few times.

Since we’ve been visiting this same town twice a year for more than five years, I pretty much know my way around. I’m so thankful for this small, simple playground. It provides such a needed release for pent-up-in-a-hotel-room energy. From these photos, you’ll notice that my wacky kids are thankful for the tiny park, too.

So, Ferris may not have enjoyed it as much of the older kids… but she does look peaceful, doesn’t she? 

Maybe Evan got her name from Dale Evans? Happy trails to you…

Connor enjoyed “legal” climbing.

Brady enjoyed climbing … and sliding … and swinging.

Apparently, Andy just liked making goofy faces at his mommy.

Ever since we had Ferris, I have been meaning to take some photos of her and Evan together… mainly as a reference later to their size comparison.

Since Evan was a preemie, she’s still much smaller than her age. In fact, last week we met our friend’s seven month old baby and she is the same size as Evan! (I know people look at us and try to do the math when they see us with a newborn! It’s so funny.)

Anyway, I finally took some photos last week while we were in our hotel. The first one was one night after Evan had her bath and was snuggled into her PJs. Ferris is less than thrilled about Evan’s cuddling.

The next two are of the duo in matching outfits Nana bought for them. I tried to get Ferris’ face in the photo, but Evan wouldn’t cooperate.

Finally, I got them to hug… sort of. (Though Evan’s eyes look like she’s falling asleep, she’s not. I just caught her at a bad time.)