Our Everett Boy

Everett turned 3 yesterday and I am still in shock. I can't believe the Lord has blessed us with 3 years already. Everett has his 3-year check-up today and he did great! I think he loves to go to the doctor because of the special attention he gets. Also, his pediatrician Dr. Chu is kind of a celebrity in Everett's eyes. He just really loves him. So here are his stats:

Everett weighs 34.5 pounds and is in the 90th percentile for height and weight.
His vision/hearing are within normal limits.
He scored within normal limits across all developmental domains. He scored highest in gross motor and personal/social and his lowest score was in fine motor. I guess we'll have to work on the scissor cutting and drawing a circle/straight line!
His physical revealed he is a healthy, growing and typical 3-year old boy.

Now for my mommy spiel......
Everett is a very energetic guy. He loves to climb, run, and throw things (sometimes when he shouldn't be) and is always on the move. He will sit down every now and then to watch a short video. We showed him a movie yesterday (Curious George) and he laughed out loud at all the slapstick humor.....something we never heard him do before. He hates the camera (if you haven't noticed) and will barely ever let us get a good picture of him. He has gotten very good at coloring and drawing and likes sidewalk chalk. We have tried teaching him to ride a tricycle, however he hasn't gotten it yet. He is potty trained except at night and for naps. He is a good eater and will eat a variety of different foods-however only when he feels like it. His favorite foods are pizza and chocolate milk. He is a good sleeper. He sleeps/rests at least 2 hours in the afternoon and 12 hours at night (7-7). He still totes "nigh nigh" around, but lately doesn't need him as much. He loves to make people laugh! We just love that he has a great sense of humor. As he approached 3, he has been pushing the limits a bit more and has required more discipline and training as his will has increased. He has entered the "imagination phase" which is really fun. He likes to pretend he is different animals or the couch is really a boat. He is getting more witty and also manipulative. For example today he told me he had to stay home and not go to preschool because his belly hurt. When I asked him what would make his belly feel better he answered, "a cupcake, or maybe chocolate milk?" He still cries or gets upset when I drop him off a preschool (he goes two mornings a week) but when I pick him up he tells me he had so much fun. Preschool has been so great for him and has really developed his social skills. He loves Hampton, perhaps a little too much sometimes. He calls him "baby" or "Hampy" and tries to get him to play with him. Everett is very stubborn and strong willed, but such a sweet and fun boy. We have loved these past 3 years with him and it just keeps getting better and better.

Everett's School Program

This morning was Everett's preschool end-of-the-year program. Really it was just the kids singing about 5 songs they had practiced, but I loved it. I wasn't sure how Everett would act, but he did great! As soon as he spotted me he shouted, "Hi Mommy!" He even performed for his "solo" (see video in next post). Hampton loved it too. He kept pointing to Everett and squealing. Give Everett a stage, and he loves to perform and get a reaction. This morning was thankfully no different.

Everett and one of his teachers.

And the proud little brother. One day he'll have his turn on stage. I wonder how he'll respond?

Everett's Solo

Here's a short video of Everett's "solo" this morning at his preschool program. I couldn't get the video to rotate, so sorry you have to tilt your head to view it. I was so proud of him!

Everett's Birthday

Everett's birthday is Monday, but we celebrated today. Even better, my mom was here visiting. We started off the day with Everett's favorite-pancakes. He talked all week about how Nonny was coming and was going to take him to IHOP for pancakes. Hampton enjoyed pancakes as well!

After breakfast, we dropped Hampton and Eric off at home so Hampy could nap. Then we went to this nursery/garden in Weaverville called Thyme in the Garden. I had never been there and it was beautiful! As soon as we walked into the quaint cottage shop a worker spotted Everett and asked if he wanted to go explore the garden with her. He immediately agreed and it gave my mom and I time to shop. When he came back he told me he saw chickens, eggs, picked some flowers, and ate a strawberry. So fun. I peeked at was he was doing from the gift shop (below picture).

Everett and the chicken coop.

He had a lot of fun playing in this water. He had the soaked shoes and clothes to show for it.

In the greenhouse I spotted this butterfly and wanted to show Everett. Unfortunately he loved the butterfly a little too much........

Nonny and Everett.

Isn't it pretty!?

Everett and Mama

When we got home the boys went down for an afternoon nap. I was excited to work on my garden and happy for my mom's help. Eric made me a raised bed for my vegetable garden.

We picked another hanging basket at the nursery. The pink one next to it is from Gigi, celebrating the announcement of Eleanor.

We also worked on potting my herbs.

Our front garden.

That evening we went out for another Everett favorite-pizza! Hampton surprised us today by showing us he can scribble with crayons.

After dinner we went to Antler Hill Village at the Biltmore Estate. Everett loved his cupcake.

Can you tell!?

We also had to visit the petting farm.

We had such a fun day with Everett. I can't believe he is going to be 3. Everyone always advises us to enjoy this time because it goes by so fast and it really does. We are so blessed by him and his personality continues to develop and it is so fun to see.

Hampton's MRI

Hampton had an MRI this morning to further investigate possible options for treatment of the hemangioma on his eye. I was so nervous! I know they do these all the time, on children even younger than Hampton, but this was my child. It was hard because he couldn't have anything to eat or drink since dinner last night, but fortunately it was early in the morning. It was funny though that as soon as we sat down in the waiting room he pointed to the diaper bag and said, "baba?" He had to be sedated and once they put the medication in his IV he was out within 5 seconds. That was also hard to watch and I of course cried and had to sit down quickly in order not to pass out (I blame it on the pregnancy hormones!) He did so great. The scan took about an hour and within 20 minutes he was back to normal, just really hungry and thirsty. We are so blessed by this baby. He was so tough and he is such a sweet baby. Next week Hampton has an appointment to see a specialist to discuss the results and any possible treatment options at this point.

Thankful there was a television in the waiting room to distract him!

Libraries Aren't For Little Boys

At least they aren't for my little boys. Last week I decided to take the boys to the public library. On the way there I explained the "library rules" to Everett-which is really just using an inside voice. In my head Everett would pick out a few books to check-out for the week and we would read quietly for a bit. That didn't happen. The boys were wild-Hampton crawling everywhere and Everett climbing on and under chairs and tables. Just wild. I couldn't help but notice the sweet little girl in the smocked dress and big hair bow reading with her grandma. Sure she was about 6 or 7 but still. I can truly say my children are for the most part well-behaved within reason, especially out in public, but really. Was I expecting too much? I came across an article the past week that was so helpful and encouraging to me. The article was on how parents unknowingly can inhibit their child's play. One way in which I am an offender is by hovering, or helicopter parenting. This is something I am working on: giving more freedom with play, but with reasonable boundaries. Another point was inhibiting play by worrying too much about the mess. I again am an offender of this. Lately I have been trying to let the mess (such as playing with playdough, paint, dirt, sand, etc.) not bother me so much. Truly it has been rewarding. The boys have fun and it is all washable.
Tonight we worked on some landscaping/yard work in our front yard. I wanted to be a part of it and so I brought the boys outside to play. I wasn't sure what they would do exactly, but I put some sidewalk chalk out and had bubbles on standby. Well, the sidewalk chalk was barely touched and we didn't blow bubbles. The boys found plenty to do on their own. Hampton collected twigs and grass and Everett picked dandilions, played in some dirt, and just ran around. Sure they got dirty doing so, but it was a solid hour of fun for them where I was just the facilitator and the one making sure they weren't in danger. And again, a quick bath before bed and they were like new again. Dirt under the fingernails and all. Having children is a continual learning process for me. I realized recently that letting go of some of the stress, the "theories," and just letting them be young boys is so fulfilling and has made life easier.

Pictures from the Playground