Evan's 1st Birthday

Well, we've made it a year with our little one and come out on the other side! I can't believe that it has been one year since the birth of our son, Evan Christopher Gonzales. This has definitely been a year to rival all others: graduating high school, meeting my first real boyfriend (Chris), graduating college, getting married, becoming friends/family with the coolest girl ever (Alia), finding out we were pregnant, and finding out Nick & Alia were pregnant... While all wonderful and meaningful, it doesn't come close to what I/we have experienced with Evan during this year.

Here are some memorable experiences from the past year:

July 4, 2008: 1st time in a swimming pool

July 26: started sleeping through the night

August 2: 1st Astros game

August 5: outgrew his size 1 diapers

August 22: 1st day of daycare (sad day, I felt sooo g

uilty)

September: 1st hurricane (Ike)

October 9: 1st time being sick

October 21: found his foot into his mouth

November 8: sitting up on his own

December 31: started crawling & sticking his tongue out

January 4: said mama for the 1st time

January 26: found out Nick & Alia are giving us a nephew/co

usin!

January 28: started pulling up

March 18: started putting the phone to his ear

April 24: stopped nursing (just shy of one year...)

May 8: 1st birthday!!!!

May 10: 1st real haircut, started blowing kisses

Some of Evan's favorite things:

Reading books

Hanging pictures

Noisy toys/electronic devices

Being naked!

Giving (loves to share food and toys)

Pointing at EVERYTHING!

His Daddy (right now Chris gets kisses, and I don't...we'r

e going to work on that!)

His Mommy (I may not get kisses, but he still love

s for me to hold him when he doesn't feel     good)

Balloons (ironic, because a week ago he was scared of them!)

A piggy bank toy

Sweet tea given by grandparents

Cheerios

Being outside

Hugging stuffed animals (a turtle or rabbit) when going to sleep

Evan's party was a hit this past weekend. We celebrated by throwing him a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" party, since he has loved that book since the day we brought him home from the hospital. The event took place at Grammy's house, on May 9th from 1-3pm.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to celebrate his birthday with us. We had tons of family members show up for the shindig, as well several friends who drove all the way to my Mom's house for the party. Guests included Aunt Linda & Uncle Perry, Natalie and McKenzie, Kari & CJ, Christine, Amy & Konnor, Katie, Lori, Belena & Caleb & 3 week old Dillon, Grammy, Pops, Grandma Mary, Uncle Bobby & Allison, Aunt Linda K, Chuck & Lynn & Collin & Reagan, Maw, Grandma Clarice, Clarie, Clay & Amanda, Nick & Alia (+baby Aiden), and Bud & Joy Khader.

There was tons of food, which my Mom always says brings people together, and it did. It was fun to munch on strawberries with awesome fruit dip and talk to friends and family all together (the dip was just marshmallow dip with cream cheese; maybe my favorite food from now on!).

Evan received so many great presents as well; several books, lots of clothes, tonka trucks, little people farm set, play mat, mega blocks, toy dog, and some money for his college fund. (I will come back and add the rest of his gifts as we go through all of them).

Thank you to everyone who has helped us raise Evan so far. I feel confident as a parent only because of the help, hints, love, and guidance from all of you. I can't express how much each and every one of you mean to us, and I hope that we show you on a daily basis. 

Evan, thank you for being such a wonderful son. We love you so very much, and can't wait to go through another awesome year with you!

(To see more pictures, please click on Chris & Kim's Pictures in the Web Links section)