Typical Boy After Thanksgiving Dinner...

After Thanksgiving dinner at Oma and Opa's, Evan decided it was time for a bottle and to let it all kind of hang out...he stretched out in the chair and had a snack....I never realized the traditional after-Thanksgiving dinner relaxing for men started this young! (notice Daddy cheering him on!)

He Is Getting So Old!!

Just had to post this picture of my little E....he looks like he is so old in it! He was 'helping' me get laundry out of the dryer...he is so mobile, and so chatty....and growing up so incredibly fast!

Evan's First Cold

I thought we would luck out when E hadn’t gotten a cold in his first several months of life, but I was wrong! We all got a cold several weeks ago. Just low grade fever and runny noses, but my little guy was so miserable!

Teethies!

Evan now has 6 teeth, four on the top and two on the bottom…we think he might be getting a few more too…ahh the fun never ends! Cheeky grins abound! He also loves to run his tongue over his top teeth so he is constantly sticking his tongue out! Only two bloody lips so far….

Harley Kid

This little outfit, courtesy of Grandpa and Gramma was a hit, E thought he was very cool sporting his Harley gear, even keeping the hat on all afternoon...do we have a future rider here!?

Uncle Kenderdine and Oma

We had Oma, Opa and Uncle Kenderdine over for dinner a few weekends ago, and Evan loved being the center of attention. He has finally decided that Uncle Kenderdine is ok, despite the fact that he stands 6’5”….he even let him hold him, and held onto his goatee like he does with his daddy!

Future Chef??

Now that Evan is becoming much more mobile, he is wanting to get around all the time, and he follows me and wants to “help” me do whatever it is I am doing. While making breakfast the other day, he decided to “help” and thought he would get some pans out. When they crashed to the floor (really heavy All-Clad pans!) I swore he must have broken the tiles on the floor…but nope! All was well, and he loved the big bang the pans made! Maybe we have a future chef on our hands?

Foam Numbers??

I bought this set of foam interlocking numbers on a whim at a yard sale this summer, I really had no idea what I would do with them. Well, I didn’t even have to try to figure it out, Evan loves them! He throws them around, wears them on his arms and legs and loves playing with them….why is it that the cheap toys are always the ones they play with the most!?

Evan's First Halloween

Even though E didn’t actually go trick or treating this year, he did dress up for the neighborhood trick or treaters and helped us hand out candy. We were able to get him in a few pictures with the neighbor kids, and he was really enthralled with the kids in costumes….my little monkey was adorable!

At The Pumpkin Patch

As we do every year, Frank wanted to go to the pumpkin patch to get the many accessories for the fall décor. He loves to decorate the outside, and is like a kid in a candy shop when we do. We had a beautiful fall day, and headed out to the patch with Evan. Evan had a great time, he was in awe of all the pumpkins and mums, and the best part was that they have pot bellied pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and a number of other farm animals. He had a great time, and couldn’t take his eyes off the piggies. The trip was a success and we got all of the things we needed…I think I still have straw in the back of my car….

It Just Looked Too Nice!

After E reaching for the water non-stop, we decided to disrobe him and let him plop down. He just loves the water, which we saw first had at the lake this summer. He loves to put his fingers in the sand and rocks, and tries the occassional handful in his mouth. He kept trying to dive into the water, hence the hand on his back!

This past Sunday we went hiking in Tyler State Park, Frank's favorite PA State Park since he was young. We had a great time, and E loved dipping his feet...and then more of him, in the stream. It was so hot out, but he was a trooper and stayed awake the whole time. We ran into many dogs and some wild chickens and turkey's...he was excited to see them all!

Another Generation Carries the Torch

This is the same outfit that Frank wore when he was Eva's age (minus the gecko shoes, naturally!). Straight from Bavaria, and still in excellent shape! He looks like a little German man!

When Did My Little Boy Get So Big?

Little E on his 9 month birthday...when did he get so big? He crawls, he pulls himself up on everything, he stands, he surfs furniture, he eats real people food by the handfuls, he says Mama, Dada, Wo Wo (Lewis), Ni Ni, BaBa, points, high fives, babbles non-stop, blows raspberries, has 6 teeth and is stubborn as all get out. It seems like all of this happened in the blink of an eye....where did my little baby go!?

Ahh The Smell of Football in the Air

This was just too cute not to capture...the first Eagles game of the season, and Frank and Evan on the couch after a refreshing beverage watching the game...Evan even watched it for a while with daddy...but like all things Eagles, it got boring and he decided it was time to play.

Fall is On It's Way!

Yesterday it was just SO nice outside, we decided we needed to get out an enjoy the day! We headed over to Marsh Creek State Park to take a hike and enjoy the weather. We had a great hike, and then stopped at the lake to watch the windsurfers and sailboats. Evan loved watching everything and taking it all in.

I've Got Wheels!

And as you can see, I'm thrilled!! Since E likes to walk so much while holding onto hands or furniture, and gets so frustrated when he can't get to where he wants to go, we decided that he needed his own way to get around! We took the plunge and did something we swore we would never do...we bought a walker. He loves this thing! We rolled up the rugs in the living and dining rooms and moved the furniture aside so he has his own little raceway to roll around...he cruises, and mostly goes backwards at the moment, but is starting to get the hang of going forward...oh dear...child proofing must begin soon!

The Littlest Dead Head?

We decided it was time to introduce Evan to the world of Greatful Dead tribute bands last Friday night. We went into Phoenixville to see a live band called Splintered Sunlight. It was great, the music was great and it was outside and all of the people were just kind of hanging out in the street. Evan loves to watch people and loves music, and he was such a trooper! Here is Evan and Frankie heading to the concert.

Oma Shows Me All Kinds of Fun Things!

Oma came over last weekend and took Evan out into the backyard and showed him around. They looked over the fence, at the trees and the houses and just enjoyed a beautiful end of summer day outside!

Crazy Sleeper!

I went into Evan's room while he was napping the other day to check on him, I don't know if you can tell from this picture, but he had pulled down the bumper with both hands, and was holding onto the bumper with his head resting on his hands...I think he is just like his daddy...he can sleep anywhere...

Say It Isn't So!

Where 'O Where has my little baby gone!? Suddenly he is more interested in standing up, pulling up and having you hold his hands so he can walk than playing on his back or tummy....I see mobility in our future, and it scares me!!

The Maston Lake Experience

We weren't sure how well E would do in an actual lake, as he really only has ever been in swimming pools and bathtubs. As to be expected, he loved it. He took to it immediately, and in his little inflatable crab, he and daddy went swimming into the middle of the lake...truly a tear jerking site to see! He loved splashing in the water, laying on is belly on the shore and eating mud...ahh to be young again!

The Wilford Family Party

Every year Uncle Jon and Aunt Marian have a Wilford Family Party for the members of their wedding party and their kids, and their kids and so on. Every year, group pictures of the generations are taken. This year was the first year Evan was a participant in the "Kid Generation" picture. The weight of this, and the visions of the years to come made me choke up and become excited about the future!

Heading to Michigan!

At the end of July we ventured to Michigan for a few weeks of relaxing and enjoying family. The 14 hour drive to get there was not as bad as we anticipated and actually Evan was really good while driving. We decided to drive overnight, as it seemed the best way to make sure he slept a good portion of the drive. It worked! We had a great time in Michigan, getting to see all of the family, the lake and tons of friends!

Broccoli, My Broccoli

Okay, so it's not typically on the list of 'first foods" but we are pretty unconventional. We ground up some broccoli in the baby food grinder and gave it to E to see what he thought. We were suprised at his reaction, he ate the broccoli by the handful, and minus the stuff he ended up wearing, he really enjoyed the meal!

I have 5 Cousins?!?

As the summer progressed, we made it a point to not only join the pool in our area, but to also take Evan to the pool in many other places too. He had a great time at the pool with all 5 of his cousins...who absolutely adore him! It's really cool to see them interact with Evan, even though they have their own siblings and babies are nothing new for them, the fact that they have a cousin is really cool to them!

To The Shore!!!

In late May, Oma and Opa decided to rent the suite at the Windrift in Avalon, NJ for a couple of days and invited me and Evan down to stay with them. He had a great time here, tried out a wooden high chair for the first time, and got some great time in the pool. He was such a ham, hanging out at the pool in the lawn chairs...I might be biased but I think he is pretty darn cute!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

How appropriate...I call him my little Chunky Monkey and here we are at the Philadelpia Zoo Monkey Exhibit....we had a great time at the zoo with Uncle Josh and Aunt Emily...the day was perfect and the sun was out...Evan loved just looking at both the exhibits and the people...boy did he sleep well that night!

Ode To an Exersaucer

Ahh yes, the infamous exersaucer. When we first thought we needed this bright colored item of mystery, we truly had no idea how much we would use it, and how much of a lifesaver it would be! This thing is worth it's weight in gold. We take it with us everywhere! He just sits and plays and sings and talks! It even plays "Old McDonald" and when that song comes on, Evan just sits and waits and looks to us to sing...silly kid!

Father's Day!

Ahh...what a great picture! Frankie's first Father's Day. Grandma got them matching shirts, which they wore proudly for the occassion. Well, Frankie got a shirt, and E got a romper...although it would have been amusing to see Frankie in a romper too...but, I digress. There is something just amazing about the father/son relationship, and I can already start to see it develop, I am excited to see how it progresses over the years!

Moving on Up Into the World of Solids

Ahh the time has come. We decided to wait until Evan was at least 6 months old before we started him on solid food. We had several different reasons, but the most important one being that we wanted to wait until he showed interest in food. Once he did, we welcomed him to try pretty much anything he wanted to. His first "official" meal was a smashed up fresh banana. He liked it...what of it he ate, but he had an even better time smearing it around his tray and getting his hands all messy....like father, like son...

Professional Pictures Abound!

I know so many people tend to get professional pictures done of their kids from birth, almost monthly until who knows when. We are just not that kind of people! We would much rather have snapshots and candid photo's rather than the posed ones you get from sittings. However, We did decide that we would do a couple of sittings during his first year. We were pleasantly suprised with how well these 4 month shots came out. We had them done locally st Sears...and were very happy! The next ones will be at 9 months...and we will be getting in a family shot as well!

Traveling Man...

Look at this little HAM! Not only does he love to be outside, but he is so happy to be in his stroller just strolling around. We seriously could take him anywhere, as long as we stayed mobile! This smile reminded me of some of Uncle Jon's pictures when he was younger...ahh the Wilford genes continue!

Mr. Congenial

Evan loves being outside....no matter where we are, or what the weather, he just looks around and takes everything in! Here he is chilling out on the deck, being cute, as always. He tends to get really chatty when we are outside, must be all the new and interesting things to look at!

Hanging With Oma

Evan and Oma hanging out on the deck for a Mother's Day brunch. Oddly enough, it was just a year to the day before that we told Muuttttii that we were expecting Evan, by giving her a Mother's Day card with an ultrasound picture in it! Amazing to come full circle!

Uncle Kenderdine...

Mr. Evan on Memorial Day weekend with Uncle Kenderdine and Frankie. Since Uncle Ken is so tall, Evan was not quite sure what to make of him at first. Uncle Ken is so excited to teach Evan how to fish and do all the guy things there are to do!

Memorial Day Weekend at the Pool

We took Evan to the German Club pool on Memorial Day weekend, he absolutely loved it! They have a great kiddy pool, and he splashed around in that for a while, it was unseasonably warm....but so nice to be out in the sun so early in the year!

Anna's First Mother's Day

For so many years it seemed to me like I would never have the amazing fortune to be able to really celebrate Mother's Day....and I am so happy that my little Evan has prooved me wrong in every sense of the word WRONG. In May 2007, I was blessed to celebrate my very first Mother's Day with Evan, Frankie and Oma and Opa. It was such a monumental day for me, as it was something I had dreamt of for so long. Being able to sit back and see that my dreams and out hard work has become relaity was an incredibly humbling experience. A picture of me and Mr. Charming taken on Mother's Day.

Have Pack and Play, Will Travel

In early May, we drove to the Youngstown Ohio area and met up with Grandma and Grandpa Bob at a hotel for the weekend, here, Evan had his first experience with the big pool (as opposed to the garden bathtub at home). I have to say, this was a big hit for him! He really enjoyed the water, but not nearly as much as he enjoyed his Grandma!!

Uncle Josh and Aunt Emily Come to Visit

In April, Uncle Josh and Aunt Emily came out for a weeks visit. We did all kinds of things, we went to the Atlantic City shore in Avalon, NJ, we went to the Philly Zoo, and then Evan had his first experience with a cheesesteak on South Street at Jim's....it was a super busy week, and we all got some great bonding time together. We even took pictures of Evan and Uncle Josh with their matching shirts on....what a great time!