Busy times...

I don't think we could have packed more into the last 10 days if we tried. We had a fun visit from our friends Ryan & Mel & their 2 kids over labor day weekend. Then my mom came up to help organize for a yard sale. Bruce & Vicki came up to help us sell all of our crap over the weekend. And we also decided that it was time to "Ferberize" our son.

Evan had started strangly waking up after a few hours of sleep during the nights the last several weeks. We would give him a pacifier to get him back to sleep which worked until he went through another sleep cycle and woke up again to find that the pacifier had fallen out. And then we started all over again. It was really starting to wear me down. And it was not characteristic of his sleep patterns, usually not needing anything but a full belly to fall asleep. If you have a child of any age and struggle with sleep, you have got to get Dr. Ferber's book (Solve your Child's Sleep Problems). We also loved Marc Weissbluth's book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. So we began Friday night, while Kyle's parents were here, in trying to get the E-man to fall asleep on his own. It worked! But not without a few meltdowns from me and Nana. I'm sure having that dang yard sale didn't help things either...we were all exhausted. But, we are so proud of our kid...he sleeps 6-9 hours uninterrupted and for a total of 12 each night. Life is good for Momma (& Daddy)!

Ryan & Evan

Mel & Evan

KeatonElliotPlaying outside with a cold washcloth...so hot & humid that day!Aww...so cute!He was obssessed with these sheets trying to grab the flowersTaylor & Evan - lots of fun times ahead for these guys!Had to post the most precious pic of our dog, too.

Miscellaneous happenings (& other fun stuff)

This one was hard to title because it has been a while since I've blogged. A lot has happened in the last few weeks of August. We went to Columbia for a few nights on a work trip for Kyle. Kyle's parents came to KC for a visit. I met Georgia for the first time. My parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary! Uncle Brian had a birthday. So here are a few pictures and captions.

Here he is with his left hand in his mouth - he usually prefers right but today was an exception!

Remember his first bumbo pic? Now look how tall he is sitting.

Before learning how to suck on his own fingers, there were Grandpa's. He & my dad were totally into the golf tourny on tv.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Bri! On our Columbia trip, Evan and Brian had lots of fun times.
Little Georgia Gray. My friend Megan's little girl was born mid-July. I got to meet her a few weekends ago. She is adorable. Strange that I already said "I forget how tiny they [newborns] are." I feel like an old veteran instead of the rookie that I really am. Congrats, Megan & Ben.
My parents celebrated 35 years of marriage this week! Amazing. As my dad said, "we get to celebrate our marriage every day." Too sweet. Love to you both.

Nana (Vicki) & Evan. Bruce & Vicki came up to see us (Evan). The bad news, he is such a big napper that we waited around for several hours for him to wake up to play. The good news is now he is taking shorter naps during the day.

Uncle Jeff came over, too.

My favorite picture taken today...sucking on his fingers. I used to suck my thumb so I was waiting to see if he did the same. Looks like fingers for now.

Evan at 3 months

I can't believe the little guy is 3 months old! He seems so grown up already. I already miss the newborn stage.

Evan looking at the ducks at Loose Park.

Here he is trying out his new big boy toys - the Entertainer & Bumbo.

Having a fit with Grandma.
His new favorites...the ceiling fan and his froggy. Love how he holds things now.Stacey & Finley came for a visit... Evan LOVED watching her. Finley was so cute with him, she showed him his toys and told him "stories".

Anniversary

Kyle & I just celebrated our anniversary last week - 3 years! I thought I'd share with you pictures from our honeymoon in Maui - the most amazing place I've ever been. Oh, to be back there on those beaches with a mai tai. Happy Anniversary, honey!

1st Springfield Visit & Meeting GGma Fern

Evan went on his 1st visit to Springfield last weekend. He had a lot of fun at Nana and Papa's house, but we learned that he is already having "stranger anxiety" and that he really NEEDS his sleep.

Here he is with Nana talking and telling stories. He's making lots of new consonant-vowel sound combinations!

His fascination with books is amazing!
He loved taking a bath...we got a few true laughs out of him.
We made a brief trip to Tablerock Lake on Kyle's bday. Kyle got a few pics with him on the boat before going out to ski.

A picture showing E-man's temper. It's zero to 100 in seconds for this guy.Great Grandma Fern and Evan...I LOVE this picture. We love the expression on his face in this one...4 generations of McCurry's!

Evan's 1st Ballgame

Last Friday, Kyle & I took Evan to his first baseball game. Yes, he actually owns a Royals onesie. We are both Cardinal fans at heart, but it is hard not to support the home town team just a little. Besides, who doesn't enjoy a greasy hot dog and ice cold beer? I bought the tickets for Kyle for Father's Day this year and sort of overestimated what my comfort level would be in bringing him to the game.

First of all, we are sort of in a nap routine and I knew he would miss his evening nap for this event. I always have a little anxiety about what the late night will bring when we skip this nap. And, it was a muggy 93 when we headed out to the game. No one ever tells you if a baby can take the heat? Do they get dehydrated? Will he get a fever if he gets too hot? All of the above went through my head as I sat out there sweating. Poor Kyle. He was just getting into the game (top of the 2nd, might I add) when I began worrying about Evan's well-being and decided that we should go. What was I thinking? Evan was clearly enjoying himself with all the sights and sounds. So with an hour under our belt, we left the game. Kyle was a good sport and didn't give me too much trouble. I'm sorry, honey, for cutting your Father's Day short. Very short. As Kyle said, "Evan, this won't be the last time Mommy takes the fun out of it for you." He is so right. But, I'm sure all the first time mom's can relate, right? :-) Enjoy the pics!

Here we go! Kyle & Evan walking into the game Notice all of the drool on his shirt...I think we may begin teething very soon! Evan posing with his Fred Bird in front of the Royals only World Series trophy. Go Cards!

The Power of Prayer

I want to ask everyone to keep my Grandfather in your prayers. He just underwent emergency surgery to close a small hole in his bladder that was leaking fluid into his stomach. He is still in the ICU but doing very well. My grandfather has been through a lot in the last 3 years. The most recent being a round of chemotherapy and radiation - he had just finished on Wednesday when all of this began. We know God is on his side and we are grateful for all of the gifts He gives us everyday. Please continue to pray for his strength and health! Grandpa, we love you and hope you get better very soon! Here's a recent pic of my adorable Grandparents from my brother's wedding a month ago.

Books!!!

My baby LOVES to read and he's only 10 weeks old. I am convinced that he is reading the words on the page already (or he just really likes the bold colors and patterns:-). Here we are reading before bedtime, though he enjoys books any time of day. We are beginning to get ourselves into a bedtime routine...feeding, diaper, pj's, story. We had a bit of a rough week after our travels last weekend trying to get back to our pseudo-schedule, but last night was GREAT for everyone. I know now that a few days away can really throw a baby off. Evan certainly likes his routine...and his crib.

Here's Evan with Nana. I am NOT kidding that this entertained him for 15 minutes. I didn't think you could keep the attention of a baby that long doing the same thing. It was magical. Nana must be a very good story teller!

Fletcher Family Gathering

This past weekend we went to Jefferson City for a Fletcher reunion. Lots to celebrate on Kyle's mom's side of the family. Evan got to meet his Great Grandpa Ken & Great Grandma Pat, as well as his Great Aunts, Uncles and lots of cousins. Despite being off of his nap routine, Evan did pretty well for the event minus a few expected crying fits. Thanks to everyone for Evan's high-tech Radio Flyer complete with cup holders and a canopy - we had no idea how advanced they have become.

Here are several pictures from the day...Evan with Great Grandpa KenGreat Grandma Pat & Evan enjoyed sitting in the shade in the cool breeze.The 4 generation picture...GGpa Ken, Pat, Vicki, Kyle & Evan...amazing!Cousin Dalton was SO excited to play with Evan. He was the first to ask to hold him - so cute! Here he is reading a book to him - Evan LOVES books.Aunt Cheryl is sharing a story...and Evan is telling her one, too. She got lots of smiles out of him here.
Aunt Shari and Evan - they are both so photogenic!Lindsey and Evan - she will become a Fletcher this fall when she marries Ryan, Kyle's cousin. Dalton & Evan...too precious!The Great Grandparents, Kyle, me & Evan. Thanks for hosting the weekend - we enjoyed our visit and hope to see everyone soon.