I've been reconverted to PINK!

New Pictures

Okay, I know I have been terrible at updating my blog. It takes me forever to upload pictures. Maybe that means we need a new computer. Anyway, if you want to see some cute pictures of my new baby girl and my sweet little boy, we just had some taken. You can check some of them out at Katiewellsphotography.com.

My little angel.......not so little anymore

I can't believe how big our little boy is getting! He is still the light of our lives and the best thing that has ever happened to me and Patrick. We love him so much! I told Patrick the other day, that I wish he could stay little forever. Patrick thought that was an odd wish, but I can't help the way I feel. Someday, he will grow up and he will no longer need me to hold his hand. He won't run to the door to greet his daddy when he comes home. He won't need us to tuck him in at night and pick him up in the morning. Nothing gives me more joy than having my little boy reach for my hand to help him walk on rough terrain (which is the only time he actually wants to hold hands). He's already so independent! I am going to be so sad, when he doesn't need me anymore. My sister in-law told me that little boys need their mom's when they are boys, but they eventually grow up and they attach to their wives and start their own families. Of course, I want that for my little guy, but I never really thought about how true that statement is. I imagined that Evan would always need me, and that we will always be close. Unfortunately, it's not likely to be that way. Men call their mother's every once in a while, to check in. They don't call them everyday because they just miss them and want to talk, (at least not any of the men I know). Someday, I'm going to be the check-in call. Oh how sad that is for me! Evan is my world. I can't imagine not being the most important person in his life anymore. I guess it's a little premature for me to be feeling this way. Hopefully, I can feel this way now and I won't be completely devastated when he is ready to go to school or even worse, ready to move out on his own.

These are just a few random pictures of my little guy. I want to document every thing I can about my little one year old, before I forget what it was like to get to be with him everyday.
We went to a friend's wedding the other day. After chasing him back and forth through the hotel hallways, he finally found some pretty girls to play with. He was very impressed by them, and I believe they were very impressed by him.
They chased him around and played with him half the night. It was so cute! Evan was in heaven.
He is playing hard to get....running as fast as he can and laughing all the while.
There's nothing Evan enjoys more than the pool with daddy. He is fearless!
Evan already floats on his back (with a little support) and blows bubbles in the water. Swimming lessons, schwimming lessons....who needs em?
Okay maybe we do. Patrick put Evan on the deck so he could jump back into the pool. Evan b-lined if for the hot tub and jumped in. I had to run over and fish him out. He was completely submerged. It didn't phase him though. As soon as he stopped choking, he jumped back into the pool and kept on playing.
Evan loves his daddy so much. When he hears the garage door, he stops whatever he is doing and runs to the stairs to give his daddy a hug and kiss.
sometimes.....he gives several kisses in a row. After kissing his daddy about ten times, I decided to run and get the camera so I could get a shot of it.
Evan is photogenic, even in sleep. He looked so peaceful during his nap, I went to get the camera. As soon as I got ready to take the shot, he started to smile. I thought he was awake, but he wasn't, just smiling for the camera. :)

He is already tech savvy. He knows how to work his DVD player, and my cell phone. Never thought I would have a one year old sending text messages. What's the world coming to?
A little big for a bath in the sink, but he wanted to be part of my doing the dishes. We had a blast.
Priceless........

I finally found something I can create! I am crafty after all. :) I had to steal this image from my friend's blog because I thought it was so funny.

Locked Out

Picture this: We have a sliding glass door off of our kitchen that leads out to a deck. The deck is about 15 feet above the ground, with no stairs or exit. I was doing the dishes, when I got a bit chilled from the a/c. I decided to step outside and sit on the patio chair for a bit so that I could warm up in the sun. Just as I got comfortable, Evan decided he wanted to go back inside and play with the sliding door. "Wouldn't that be crazy if he locked me out?" I thought to myself. Well I must have jinxed myself. Before I could even get up from my chair, Evan had flipped the latch on the sliding glass door, into the locked position. Oh crap. What was I going to do? There I was, eight months pregnant, in the middle of hot summer day, trapped on a deck with no phone, no water, and no way of escape. To make matters worse, my one year old was locked in the house with no supervision.

I resisted the urge to panic, and tried to talk Evan into unlocking the door. Luckily for me, he thought we were playing some kind of game. He stayed right by the glass door and slapped the glass giggling, while I tried to coax him into flipping the latch the other way. No such luck. It didn't take long before I came to the realization that this plan was not going to work. About that same time, Evan realized I was not playing a game. He quickly became frustrated with me and the tears started pouring down his cheeks. I knew I had to find a way into the house and quick. My poor baby was locked in the house with no way to understand why his mom wasn't coming in!

I thought about shimmying down the pole, but scratched that plan as soon as I pictured myself trying to slide down a square post with a huge pregnant belly. No way. I wouldn't make it down without killing myself and the baby. Okay. Plan B. I could try to climb up on the railing and get up on the roof. Then what? Jump off the other side, which was just as high off the ground, if not higher. Okay. That's not going to work. Finally, I glimpse of hope. I noticed that my next door neighbor had a sprinkler running in his back yard. Okay. "I am saved," I thought. It's only a matter of time before he will have to come out and move the sprinkler. Then I could yell to him and he could go through the house and open the patio door for me. Perfect. Now I just had to wait. The question was, how long would one let a sprinkler run in one spot? Ten minutes? Twenty? Twenty minutes seemed like a lifetime with Evan at the door sobbing. But it was feasable. At least I knew I wasn't going to die of heat stroke, and Evan probably wouldn't get into too much mischief in that amount of time. Then the thought occurred to me, "What if he is like my mom." She lets her water flood her lawn for hours sometimes. His lawn had some pretty good dry spots. There was no way Evan would have the patience to wait, and my feet were starting to burn on the deck. I calmly said a prayer to myself, and before I could even say amen. I noticed that a neighbor across the canal had walked out onto his patio. Fortunately, it was my friend's parent's house. I couldn't remember her maiden name exactly, but I had an idea. I took a chance that the man might hear me and yelled, "Mr. Boguard." The man looked up from his grill, but I wasn't sure if he could hear me or not. His house is a good 50 yards or more away. I was afraid that he was going to walk into the house, before I had a chance to explain the urgency of my situation. I just kept yelling, "I'm locked out. Could you call Mandy?" Mandy lives a couple of streets away, but I figured it would be easier for her to come rescue me, than have her dad come. There is a canal, a railroad track, and a fence dividing our backyards. Even if he drove, it would take longer for him to get here than it would for Mandy.

It didn't look like he heard me. He just turned and walked into the house. I was screwed! I got down on my knees and tried to comfort my sobbing baby through the glass. My own tears were starting to flow. I was so scared for us both. Just as I was attempting to teach Evan to unlock the door from the other side of the glass again. I heard someone say my name. It was Mandy and her son! Her brother was the one on the balcony. He had heard me, and called Mandy. I don't know if I have ever been so happy to see a friend. She told me that the front door was locked. I gave her my garage code, and she ran to get inside. She came back a few seconds later, and exclaimed, "That door is locked too!" Why did I have to be so cautious? Thank goodness my wise husband had stashed a key, just in case I happened to lock myself out. What a good guy! I guess he knows me too well. Mandy was able to find the key, and ran in to save me. As soon as she let me through the door, I picked up my sobbing child and tried to console him. Poor little guy. He had no idea what happened. How blessed I was that Mandy's brother walked outside at that moment.!I don't think I will ever forget this experience. Hopefully, I'm smart enough not to let it happen again. LOL.

Fun visitors!!!

We were so lucky to have my aunt Trina, uncle Lee, cousin Jade, and her baby Tate come and see us! Tate and Evan had a blast in the pool, well at least Evan did. He kept spraying everyone with the hose and Tate wasn't sure what to think of him. Overall, I think they had a good time.

After Evan laid down and started kicking and splashing like a maniac, Tate decided it was safer to stay outside of the pool. Too funny! Look how cute my cousin Jade is with her prego belly. She had he baby just a few days later. I'm so glad I got to see her. She's so cute pregnant. :)

I really like this.......

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26.. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36.. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Memorial weekend - we got a yard!!!!

We had a great Memorial Weekend. A bunch of friends and family pitched in and we were able to get our yard and sprinklers put in! I had a bunch of pictures of everyone that came to help and an awesome picture of all of us crammed around our little kitchen table enjoying a steak dinner. Unfortunately, Evan must have deleted them from the camera. I can't find figure out what else could have happened to all those pictures. I am so sad! Anyway, here are a few shots I did have of the yard going in. We put rocks in the swell in front of our house.

Evan played with our cute next door neighbor.
He tried to help daddy with his dump truck.
Here's a shot of Patrick, Chase, and Kendrick laying the sod. We're so lucky to have such great friends! Patrick's brother Matt and his wife Krissia came up the day before to help us with the sprinklers. It was so nice to have them here!
Evan wanted to help dig the trenches.

Our trip to San Francisco

We left Evan with Nana for five days and took a little trip to San Fran. Our hotel was less than a block from the "crookedest" street in the World. That was the first place we went.

I think my favorite part about San Fran is the landscaping. It's amazing that they can make such a crowded place so beautiful with flowers and greenery.

We found this little lookout above a beautiful garden, not far from our hotel. The view was amazing.
Alcatraz...... Most of our trip was overcast and a bit rainy. The weather was actually perfect for all the walking we did. Those steep hills and streets were killer!
Next we visited Hyde Peer and took a tour of the ships.
Day two: We decided to walk to the AT&T park. It was about 6 miles from our hotel but there was a lot to see on the way. This is just one of the many beautiful parks we saw.
And one of the many cathedrals.
We made sure to wind through China Town.
By the time we got to the park I was exhausted and starving!
We ate like kings and had a great time at the game. The Giants beat the Rockies 1-0.
After the game we walked back through Union Square, took another break to catch a movie, saw some more parks and cathedrals, and ate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory in Union Square park. Even after all the walking, I think I still gained 3 pounds that day. By the time we got back to the hotel we were too beat to move.

Day three: As if I wasn't worn out enough, we decided to rent bikes and ride our way across the bridge to Sausallito. Even though it wore me out, I think the bike day was my favorite day.









Once in Sausallito, the sun peeked out for a bit. We decided to ride our bikes 9 more miles to the next ferry port (I can't remember the town). We made it a few miles and it started to downpour. My jacket was not waterproof. Although, I was enjoying the sights, I was miserable. Thank goodness Patrick decided we should turn back and try to catch a bus back to our room. Hours later, we made it to our hotel. The night was still young but I was in no mood to go out. We ordered take out and enjoyed the rest of the night in.


Day Four: I was sick of pictures. We took a bus to China Town and walked to Union Square for some shopping. Patrick and I were both shopped out, so we took another bust to Golden Gate Park. By the time we got there we were too tired to walk around. LOL. We took another bus back to our hotel, and spent our last night eating clamb chowder on Fisherman's Warf, and visiting Ghiradelli square for a sundae.

All in all it was an awesome trip, but it took me days to recover. I guess I need to workout more. :)

Planning a baby free vacation

Patrick and I are planning our first trip alone together since our honeymoon. I thought I would never be brave enough to leave our baby boy with someone while we go out of town, but things definitely change. Evan gets to spend 4 fun filled days with his loving Nana, and I am sure he won't miss us a bit. Although, I am sure I will miss our little darling every moment, I am definitely looking forward to the uninterrupted adult time. I honestly don't think I have been away from Evan for more than half a day since he was born, and that only happened once. I am shamefully looking forward to the break!

I am thrilled to spend some time exploring a new place and getting to know my husband again. We've been mommy and daddy for so long, it will nice to just be husband and wife for a few days. And thanks to Nana this trip is going to be as fun for Evan as it will be for us. I just hope that after Nana takes Evan to the Zoo, the aquatic center, the discovery zone, and the farm (or whatever fun places she has planned) he will still remember who his parents are and want to come home with us. :)