THE EVANS FAMILY: Reece

Wow oh wow! Reece is 3 years old! And it is funny because I have seen him mature in so many ways in the last few weeks. I am sure a part of it is him falling into his Big Brother role with Kade here but I have definitely noticed him growing up!

Reece is about 36 inches tall and weighs 28 lbs. He takes a 2 hour nap around 1:00-1:30 every day. He goes to bed around 7:30 and wakes up between 6:30 - 7:30 each morning almost always with a smile and in a good mood. He is still in his crib but will be moving to a toddler bed in the near future.

Reece still loves to eat - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and of course treats. You wouldn't know it despite his small stature but he eats a lot. Here are some of his favorite foods: waffles, cereal with milk, tortilla with almond butter, honey, and banana, cheese popcorn, Cutie's cashews, yogurt, pretzels, sausage, french fries, pizza, and macaroni and cheese. He still isn't a fan of milk (cows, coconut, or almond) but loves his water. He also loves to take sips of our sparkling water whenever we have a can open.

Now that his vocabulary has picked up it is hard to get him to stop talking (hmm... I wonder where he learned that from). Along with talking, he loves singing and making sound effect noises. It is common to hear him singing "Twinkle Twinkle" or saying "Beep beep beep" in his bed before we get him up just as happy as can be. His personality shines through in him saying some of the funniest things. Some of his favorites are "Yoo Hoo, Doreen" (an Evans side of the family inside joke) and "Yum yum yum in my tum tum tum." He is constantly telling Ember about things and asking her to do things or asking me where "sissy" is. And he likes to try and tell her what to do since she spends many hours of her day trying to do the same to him.

Reece has always had an affectionate side and he seems to really love physical touch. Him and Ember are side by side in the car now and he is always wanting to hold hands with her. He still loves to sit in Mommy or Daddy's lap after nap time if we are able to sit with him. He will randomly run over and give hugs and kisses to us very often - sometimes 3-5 quick kisses all in row. And he will give friends big hugs and kisses on their arms or legs when they come over for dinner or for Lifegroup. His favorite person right now to shower with affection is Kade. If Kade is awake, Reece likes to be a few inches from his face talking to him and petting his head. If Kade starts to cry, Reece says "It's ok" and never fails to give him a kiss goodnight and tell him to "sleep good." It is the sweetest! And Reece loves being helpful. He will get Ember her snack or water, he will hold the door open for us and bring us our shoes, and take things to the trash for us all the time.

As much of a sweetie as Reece is, he definitely can still be a stinker. He knows how to push his sister's buttons when he wants to and does it well. He is at the age where he loves to do things himself but can't quite always do them and he gets very frustrated by this. There are also a few random things that he doesn't like such as going on the freeway, Kade being in the Ergo carrier, and any members of the family leaving to go somewhere if he doesn't get to go as well.

Reece still has a silly side to him as well. He loves to imitate Daddy's silly voices and impersonations. He loves to stick the stuffed animals in his crib between the crib rail and wall so they are just hanging in a row by their heads. He will put his hand or foot under something and say "Where did my hand/foot go?" Him and his sister love to eat holes for their eyes, nose, and mouth in a whole tortilla to make a mask. And he has the cheesiest of smiles in most pictures taken of him and loves to put his hands over his mouth when laughing at things.

Reece has learned to do many things by himself this year. He is able to put on and take off his shoes and socks. He can also usually put his own pants/shorts on. Reece can balance and ride on his Strider bike really well. He is able to open and shut the fridge on his own and get his own snack. He can count to 20 fairly well and knows most of his colors. He is really good at hopping on one foot and can do a somersault as well. We are hoping he will show some interest in using the potty in the near future as well.

Reece has so many things that he enjoys doing. He absolutely loves being outside. He can play by himself for hours with his dump truck, some water and dirt, and a few cups and bowls. He also enjoys playing at parks, going on bike rides, going on walks and collecting things, and he could swing and swing. He loves spotting airplanes, helicopters, fire trucks, police cars, garbage and cement trucks, cranes, and any other construction vehicles. He still really loves balls as well - trying to dribble them, playing catch with them, and shooting them into his new basketball hoop (he even has the "goose-neck" follow through down).

Reece is also growing in his love for books. He loves having a book read to him before nap and bedtime and will often sit and let Ember read to him at other points in the day as well. His current favorite books are "Read to Tiger," " Goodnight Construction Site," "Truck Stop," and "My 1st Word Book." He is also enjoying TV shows and movies more as well. He likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Stinky and Dirty, Dino Dan, Special Agent Oso, and Daniel Tiger. A few other favorites of his are going swimming, playing hide and seek or "tickle bridge," watching the garbage man, shutting the garage door, turning off the TV with the remote and helping Daddy with the yard work.And he still loves trying to do anything that Ember is doing.

This sweet boy brightens our family and our lives. I can't imagine a more perfect fit to our family! Happy 3rd Birthday, Reece!