My Best Friend’s Wedding

Last weekend, my best friend, Crystal, got married.  Crystal and I met in college and didn’t really get to know each other until our last semester there.  We were in sorority together, but ran in different circles even with in our sorority.  Then after graduation, she moved back home to Richmond and Scott and I relocated to Richmond.  I knew no one here, but Scott and I needed some friends, so I reached out to my sorority sister.  That was 8 years ago and she has become my best friend…no doubt about it. 

She was the first person I told that Scott and I were trying to get pregnant.  She was the first person I told that we were adopting.  She was one of the first people we called when the adoption fell through.  She was at my house the day we came home and was the most amazing friend anyone could ask for, helping me to grieve for what had happened.  She stood by my side as Scott and I started fertility treatments and was always sensitive to my feelings.  Then at 8:00am on May 13th, 2010 she got a text message that said she was going to be an aunt.

She threw my baby shower and is now Evan’s godmother.  I can’t imagine my life without her in it..she is just the best…no other way to describe her, just the best. 

So Evan and I were honored to help her celebrate her special day by being in her wedding.  I was a bridesmaid and Evan was the ring bearer.  We had a great time and I am so happy for her.  She was the the most beautiful bride and she was so happy that day.  I always told her if she was happy, I was happy and she just glowed with happiness last Saturday. 

So here are some pictures of my Best Friend’s Wedding.

Evan in his ring bearer outfit…so cute.

My handsome Mr. Man

 

 

 

 

 

The Gerke Family

Me, Crystal, Lisa, Kelly (The Girls)

5  months old

Amazing….Mr. Man is 5 months old!!

Here are his stats the best we could figure them since he didn’t have a well check this month.  We’ll get a better idea next month when he has his 6 month visit!

Weight:  15-16 pounds…the scale wasn’t cooperating.

Length:  26-27 inches….the baby wasn’t cooperating.

And here’s his latest pic with Amos.

Cereal

This past week we decided to give cereal a try.  We were just curious to see how Mr. Man would do with it.  It wasn’t out of necessity.  He eats pretty well and doesn’t usually seem hungry until he sees the bottle. 

He did great the first time.  He was a bit confused, but stuck with it!  We had eaten dinner outside, so thought he’d like to dine al fresco as well, so I think he was distracted by the trees (he LOVES trees). 

Anyway, here’s some pics of Mr. Man noshing on some cereal!

What is that you have Mommy?

I think I can do this.

Yep, piece of cake!

Ooh trees!

Cereal is pretty good, but fingers are good too.

Family Reunion

This past weekend, we went to Pennsylvania to the Slonaker Family Reunion.  This amazing tradition has been going on for more years that I’ve been alive and even now that it just my dad, his sisters, brother, and their families, we still have over 50 people in attendance each year.  It is always the first Saturday in June and for at least the past 15 years it has been at the same park, Rocky Ridge.  This year for the first in MANY the family played softball again.  It doesn’t matter how young or old, great or terrible you are, you play softball (unless you are wearing flip flops and watching Mr. Man).  Scott and my dad made it out on the field, as did about 18 others.  The rest of us sat in the shade, watched the game, and laughed a lot…think Bad News Bears!

This year was especially fun because Evan got to meet all his aunts and uncles and a bunch of his cousins, and even some 2nd cousins.  He was passed around like a little hot potato.  He only fussed once and I think that was because he was just done being held, so he played in his car seat. 

It was Mr. Man’s longest car trip yet (3 states in one day), and he did amazing.  He slept most of the way up there with just a quick stop to eat (kiddo and adults) and get a diaper change (kiddo only).  He slept half the way home and played with Grandma in the back seat the other half.  That was after being amazed by the lights at TGIFridays.  He is truly a go-with-the-flow, laid back, happy-go-lucky boy.  He made what would be a fun trip in to a REALLY fun trip.

 

 

Noisy

If you were to walk into my house right now.  It would look pretty clean, smell like laundry probably, feel fairly comfortable, but it wouldn’t be quiet.  Here’s video of my ever so cute Mr. Man and his new sound.  He has learned to scream!  Pair that with Buttons barking, Scott yawning and the TV going in the background and my house is full of racket!  I wouldn’t have it any other way though!

The Rearview Mirror

My little boy is 4 months old and his “birth” day seems like ancient history.  I have been in a funk this week and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what it was.  Today it hit me.  Mr. Man is growing up so fast and I feel like I’m looking in the rearview mirror of my car.  As we keep moving farther along, I’m starting to barely see where we started. 

In some respects that’s a good thing.  I’m pretty sure this “rearview mirror” affect is what makes people have 2, 3, and sometimes 4 children.  It also makes the heart ache we experienced to get here seem like ages ago too.

I remember, what feels like not so long ago, Scott and I thought we would never be able to sit and relax in the evening after Mr. Man had gone to bed.  Well, here I sit writing this blog entry while catching up on the DVR.  We keep hitting these milestones, and I love each and every one of them.  It just seems like Evan is rapidly changing and as soon as I stop gushing over one milestone, he moves onto another one.  I was happy as could be when little man started smiling.  It was even more fun, when I could get him to smile.  Well now he laughs all the time and he laughs at me, just because he feels like it (or he thinks I look funny).  I thought it was adorable when he found his hands and started sucking on them, but now I am amazed at how amazing he finds his hands when he is bringing them together and grabbing at toys. 

It’s the evolution of a baby I suppose.  The sleepless nights, the middle of the night feedings, the unexplained screaming, the not knowing what I’m doing….they are all distant specks in the rearview mirror!

4 months old

Mr. Man had a great check up at the pediatrician today.  He had three shots and recovered from them all very well.  He is a happy and healthy 4 month old!  We learned that he is in the 86th percentile for his height, of course no shocker there.  Looks like he’ll be passing me in height sooner than later. 

Here are his stats.

Weight:  14 pounds, 10 ounces (2 pound, 13 ounce gain in 2 months)

Length:  26 inches (2.5 inches growth in 2 months.

And here’s his latest picture with Amos.