THE EVANS FAMILY

Reece 2 Months Old

And just like that Reece is 2 months old!!

Reece is 11 pounds 9 oz and 22 inches long. He is still in size 1 diapers. On average, he wakes up 1-2 times per night and usually takes about 3 naps per day. He has gone 9 hours straight a few nights and 7 hours straight on a few others but this is not the normal yet.

Reece still really loves baths. He will start to coo when he hears the bath water turn on and he will cry when we take him out of the bath. He loves face to face interaction and will coo when you get close to his face and talk to him. He also really loves hearing his big sister run around, play, and talk. He will turn his head toward where she is. And he still loves getting in his pajamas. It soothes him at night. He still strongly dislikes the car seat. Also, we tried feeding him a bottle of breast milk and he does not like that very much at all. He has drunk 2-3 oz out of a bottle one or two times but since then as refused it every other time we tried. And he also does not like to be set down once he is getting sleepy. He definitely is a little cuddle bug especially when he is tired.

Reece has officially found his hands and enjoys sucking on them when he is tired and falling asleep. He practically gets his whole fist in his mouth. He has also gotten good at grabbing and swatting at the toys in his play gym and recently learned how to hold on to toys as well. He especially likes his orange O-Ball. Reece is a strong little guy and loves to stand with us helping him balance. It is amazing that he can lock those legs out and support his weight for quite a long time. Reece also loves to have his head rubbed.

Reece learned to smile in response to us this month and it is such an adorable smile. We will be talking and smiling to him and he will just give us a big gummy open mouthed smiles in return. It just doesn't get much better than that. And he is a big communicator. When we talk to him, he coos back in response. He is also getting really good at tummy time and holding his head up when we prop his chest up, It is a little tricky still for him when he is flat on the ground.

We had many fall themed adventures this month which were all firsts for Reece. He went on his first hike in the beautiful changing fall leaves, we went on a horse drawn wagon ride, and on a Pumpkin Patch Train. Reece went to Phoenix for the first time to celebrate Grandma Flin's 60th birthday and got to celebrate his first Halloween dressed up as a pea pod!

It was a great month full of exchanging coos and smiles with our little sweet boy and we all can't get enough of him!

Here are some more pictures from the month.

Ember reading to Reece

Meeting Great Grandpa Flin for the first time

Fall Activities

CORNICOPIA FESTIVAL - September 26

This was a community event at a local park. There were pony rides (which Ember was afraid to do), a hay maze, carnival games, bounce houses and obstacle horses, a ferris wheel, and a fun house. We had a lot of fun with friends!

HITCHIN' POST STABLES - October 9

Grandma and Grandpa Flin visited and we went to the Hitchin' Post Stables where we went on a horse drawn wagon ride through the woods, picked a freshly grown pumpkin, did another hay maze, and looked at some of the animals at the stables.

INNER BASIN HIKE AT LOCKETT MEADOWS - October 10

Fall in Flagstaff is absolutely beautiful and Lockett Meadows is one of the best places to see lots of beautiful Aspen leaves changing colors. So, we headed up there for a "hike" which was actually a walk since Ember pretty much walked the whole time. But it was beautiful and a fun family outing!

PUMPKIN PATCH TRAIN - October 17

We did our second annual Pumpkin Patch Train ride through the Grand Canyon Railway. It was a little rainy and muddy but still alot of fun. We rode the train to the secret pumpkin patch and picked a few pumpkins. Then rode the train back to the depot and did our 3rd hay maze.

PUMPKIN CARVING - October 28

Ember wanted a Minion with two eyes on her pumpkin so that is what we did. We also did a Olaf one but didn't get any pictures of that.

Unfortunately, the day after we carved them, our squirrel friends were back and ate the minion face off our pumpkin :(

HALLOWEEN - October 31

The kiddos dressed up simply as the Princess and the Pea :)

Reece 1 Month Old

Reece is 1 Month Old

(actually almost 3 months as I finally get around to posting this)

Reece weighs about 10 1/2 pounds and is pretty consistently waking up 2 times during the night to eat. But he has gotten so much better at going right back to sleep. The longest stretch he has slept at night has been 4 1/2 hours. He takes about 4 naps a day ranging from 30 minute to 2 hours. He is in size 1 diapers now.

Reece really likes being held in the sitting position so that he can see what is going on around him. He loves baths in his blue infant bath tub and when he is fussy or overwhelmed, putting him in the Ergo carrier calms him down quickly. He doesn't like having his clothes changed. He especially hates putting on or taking a shirt off over his head. He is fussy each night from about 5 pm till we start getting him ready for bed which is usually around 7 pm. As soon as we start putting his footed pajamas on, he calms down instantly knowing that bedtime is coming. He also does not enjoy being in the car seat. If he has a chance to fall asleep in it deeply, he will sleep in it a while but otherwise he mostly cries during car rides.

Reece is beginning to enjoy his play gym more and more. But he still would rather be held and talked to face to face. He enjoys being outside and usually calms down when we go outside... unless it is too windy. If it is windy out he gasps as if he can't breathe.

This month Reece learned how to make cooing noises. When he does this Ember always says "He's talking." And his cries are becoming distinguished instead of just the newborn cry. He is learning how to move his face muscles to make different faces (including smiles) but not yet in reaction to anything.

Reece definitely had many firsts during his first year of life. He met many new people that are near and dear to our family. He went to church and Lifegroup for the first time. He went to his first birthday party and had Grandma and Grandpa Flin visit. He also took his first nap in his crib and did well with it. And of course many other firsts occurred this month.

This little boy has already stolen our hearts and we are so excited to continue to watch him grow and develop into who God has predestined him to be.

Here are a few more pictures from the last month.