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Just a video update to Evan’s birthday…We were surprised at how much he really enjoyed everyone singing. His cousins Kendra and Dalton were happy to help him out with the candles.

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Saturday was Evans 2nd birthday. We had planned a day very similar to Sophie’s first birthday. Family and a few friends starting at 3 PM. Evan had a few friends here, (Lonan, Christopher, Charlotte) so total was about 10 kids and 16 adults or so. Evan and sophie woke up from their nap at about  2 pm, so they had some time to explore the new stuff in the backyard before everyone arrived. The whole day ended up pretty darn good. Evan enjoyed every minute, got lots of great presents, and loved the singing and cake part!

Evan got a hair cut  today. We had been putting it off because we knew he wouldn’t like it. He cried when they used the buzzer, but he sat on daddy JP’s lap and made it through with no permanent scars. He looks like a totally different kid to us!

Over the past 5 days a little cold went through the whole family. Evan and Daddy David started last Thursday, and it went through Sophie, Papi, Daddy JP and then Nanna. Daddy JP and Nanny are still recovering a bit, but everyone seems to be almost back to normal. Fortunately, it seemed to be a very mild cold, and run its course in about 2-3 days.

Despite the colds, we went to Fair Play on Friday evening. Pizza was canceled because of possible rain showers, so we stayed home and ate on the back porch. Saturday was pretty mellow, we stayed home, played in the yard, had a little BBQ, and the Daddies went out to dinner to celebrate Daddy JP’s birthday.

Evan newest tricks mostly revolve around running, jumping, and falling down. He enjoyed the grass, flowers, dirt and rocks more then ever this weekend. His sentences are evolving to 4 or 5 words at times, but he has a couple of favorites like “me do that”, or “Sophie no, mine”.

Sophie is walking quite well, still most of the time with her two hands in the air! Her favorite words (that we can tell) are “Dada”, “hot”, “kitty”.  Sophie pretty much loves any toy that Evan happens to be holding at the moment.  Her favorites in Fair Play are the guitar, and the musical animal zoo.

We didn’t take a lot of pictures while we were up there this time. I think we were all just a step slower then usual. Here is one that we took just a little before bed time on Saturday night.

It started Monday at nap time. Evan did NOT want to be in his crib. Everthing was fine Monday night and Tuesday during the day, but on Tuesday night after our normal night time routine, it was time to put Evan and Sophie in their cribs and say good night! Well clearly Evan had something on his mind! This is the kid who is, and always has been a great sleeper. He has always been very happy to get in his crib, close his eyes, and sleep for at least 10 hours.  So last night, despite his protests, we left them in their cribs, went up stairs and listened on the monitor to what we thought would be a few minutes of protest.  About 10 minutes later – Evan comes walking in the living room! We took him back downstairs and asked  him what was wrong.  “No Bed”  he said.  So we said “Why?” Evan said – “More sit down” and walked over and grabbed the basket of books and brought it over to us. So we read another couple of books and then tried again. (this time we closed the bedroom door) 30 minutes later we went to check on him and he was playing happily on the floor of his room in the dark.   Long story short, we got a small mattress we had, put in on the floor with his blankets and animals – and we went right to sleep – and slept all night!

Sophie can now officially walk. She has been standing, cruising, and taking a few steps here and there for almost a month now, but yesterday she officially changed from crawling to walking as her favorite way of getting from one place to another! She is very pleased with herself, and loves to show off.

We spent the weekend in Fair Play with Lolo, Lola, Nana and Papi. It was a great long weekend – we got there on Friday night and left on Monday afternoon. Wine tasting, Swimming, BBQ, and lots of play time. Neighbors had a new colt born two weeks ago, so we took a walk over there to visit.

Back in SF, the relationship between Evan and Sophie continues to evolve.  I think as Sophie has started to walk, and started to say a few words (Da, Kitty), Evan is looking at her in a different way. He still thinks that everything is “mine”, but he also talks about her a lot, telling us what is hers, what she needs, and what she is doing. “Sosie cry”, “Sosie juice”, “no Sosie”. Tuesday evening after dinner we were playing in the play room, and Evan decided he needed to wash an apple.  We weren’t sure if it was the washing or the eating he was most interested in, but he ended up eating the apple. After a few bites, Sophie became interested in what he was doing, so we asked Evan to get Sophie an apple. He very nicely went to the refridgerator and got one for Sophie. They then sat on the floor to eat their apples together.

Our family picture made a “Equality Maine” video! We met the photographer a few months ago, and she took some pictures of us while at a playground. We gave her permission to use  – and it’s pretty cool that we can represent the diverse families of the US in this little, but touching video. (we are around second 28)

We took Friday off and spent a long weekend in Fair Play. Great timing for the first long weekend of the summer season. The weather was gorgeous, even a little hot! Pizza at Fitzpatrick Winery also started the week before, so getting up there in time for Friday night Pizza is an extra bonus this time of year! Both Evan and Sophie loved the pizza – Evan always has, and Sophie loved her first time. (They stopped serving in November – so Sophie was only 6 months last time we were there!)

Two birdnests had been built right outside the back door. We got some great pictures and video of one of them in which 5 babies had hatched just that day!

Sophie had her 12 month check up yesterday. She continues to do really well. The doctor said that we can go off formula and on to milk now. That is exciting for us for a few reasons. First – Sophie never really loved her formula or her bottle. Second – I can’t wait to get rid of the kitchen cabinet that is full of formula, bottles, and nipples. Third -We won’t have to worry about always having bottle/formula with us when we go out!

We have tracked both kids on “growth charts” at the website www.mybirthcare.com since they were born. Even though most people say don’t compare your child to others, it is still fun to watch their progress. Sophie was only 4 lbs when she was born and didn’t even register on the charts. She has continued to grown and though still small for her “non-adjusted” age, the charts look good and she continues to move slowly into towards the “middle” of the chart.