3 Months

Evan is three months old today!

Oh my goodness...can't believe it...(promise I won't say this every time he gets a month older!)

He's so smiley...I love it!  His whole face lights up when you talk to him.  I think he's going to be a charmer!

sorry this picture is blurry...he was moving when I took it but I love how his eyes are lit up

Let's see, what is he up to lately??  He's still quite the chunk.  We're already breaking out the 6 to 9 month clothes...

He's still usually quite content and just goes with the flow.  He's starting to sleep for much longer stretches at night.  Pretty consistently he goes at least 6 hours...sometimes we even go 7 or 8 hours at a stretch...go Evan!

His day consists of sleeping, eating, getting his diaper changed, and hanging out under his play gym or doing tummy time.  He's found his thumb and works really hard at sucking it.  It's pretty cute.  He sometimes gags himself on it, but is still darn determined to figure out how it all works!

He sits up when we prop him on something.  He sat in the Bumbo the other day for awhile and will sit in an Exersaucer for a bit as well.  He's a strong bit!

He's still an absolute joy to have around.  We all love him so, so much.  Often times I will find Thomas leaning over in his face talking to him or trying to show him something.  It's so much fun to watch!  And I'm sure it gets even better when they're older!

His third month of life will bring some big events...he's getting baptized in a few weeks and his surgery to repair his lip is scheduled a week after his baptism. 

He blesses our life and enriches it so much!  Happy 3 months sweet baby Evan!  We love you!

Spring Fever

I believe it's safe to say that the Blanchers are ready for Spring!

And oh, what a glimpse we are getting today!  It's such a B-E-A-UTIFUL day!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Wherever you are, I hope your day is filled with fun!

We got to celebrate the Mardi Gras season in Shreveport this year by going to the Gemini parade last weekend...and we had a ball!

Evan stayed back home with Nini and Papa due to the cooler weather conditions but Thomas braved the weather to hang with his mom and dad at the parade.  He was ready to catch some beads!  (or so he thought...)

We bundled up and headed over to a lot that our friends, the Speckmans, had reserved for the parades.  Now, I've grown up in Shreveport and have never had the luxury of being over on the "lot" side of the parade.  It's pretty cushy!  You have your own port-a-potty and everything!  Plus we didn't have to battle for road space with other parade attenders...I'm a fan!

It was good food, great beverages, and even greater company!  It really was a lot of fun to cut loose and get into the Mardi Gras spirit!

Some pics of our party, pre-parade:

Bri-ne and Jen-Jen

Adam and T, refusing to open his eyes

Me with T, still refusing to take a picture with his eyes open

Getting ready...

note the football in T's hand...these were his coveted possessions...all he cared about


Throw me somethin' mister!

Peyton got a stuffed dinosaur chef!

We got lots of beads...

lots and lots of beads...

yes, that's Thomas crying in the lower left hand corner...he was spent...

Laissez les bon temps roulez!

30 Years!

Today, my parents are celebrating 30 years of marriage!


photo courtesy of Tiffany Newman Photography

What an awesome achievement!  Go parents, go parents! 

In all honesty, what a blessing it has been to have been raised by these two.  I've been given a wonderful example of marriage that I strive to emulate with my own.  The lessons and morals that they've taught me and my siblings helped mold me into who I am today and were so impactful that I am instilling them in my own children.  I am honored that they are my parents and am so excited that I get to share in this experience with them.

Here's to 30 years Mom and Dad!  Congratulations!  I am so so proud of you and am so proud to be your daughter.  May the next 30 plus years be filled with happiness, health and harmony!

I love you!

Thoughts on Life

I know I've only been on this Earth for almost 29 years and there is still a lot that I have yet to learn.  However, in those almost 29 years, my eyes have been opened to a lot...both good and bad.

I've learned that life can bring you the most oh-so precious of moments that make your heart leap with joy:
-times with friends, both old and new, that connect you forever
-laughing until your stomach hurts and you have tears running down your face with said friends
-meeting "the one" who brings out the absolute the best in you
-marrying said "one"
-the bond of family, possibly stronger than anything in the world
-bringing new life into the world, thus changing yours forever
-watching that life grow and develop into an individual

In all of these moments, and many more, the presence of God is there, big and booming, enhancing the feelings of love and joy that overflow in your heart.

I've also learned that life can bring you moments that are so shocking and sad that it literally takes your breath away.  Times where life is taken from you or those that you know in an instant.  So fast that it's hard to even comprehend what truly happened.  It's so hard to understand why yet you can't help but wonder and question.  Those times are tough.  Really tough.

But still, the presence of God is there, bringing comfort, strength, peace and hope to all of those affected.  It's like an overwhelming blanket, giving an almost indescribable security to those that are suffering.  It pulls you through those tough times and gives a light at the end of a dark tunnel. 

God's love for us is amazing.  It never fails us and it's never-ending.  We just have to seek it.  And while it's so easy to seek it during times of despair, I often forget to seek it during the best of times.  Those little moments where all with the world just seems right.  Those are brought to us by God and it is my daily prayer to give Him the glory for them.

My heart and prayers go out to those that are dealing with sudden loss, illness, sadness or any other feelings cloud over life.  May God cover you with his blanket of security and break apart the clouds, allowing His light to shine through!

Just Couldn't Resist...

Caught a few moments on camera that I had to share...

Yes, those are a pair of Thomas's pajamas that Smart-E Bear is wearing.  Thomas decided tonight that Smart-E Bear not only needed to be rocked (both by hand and by swing), burped, and spend some time under the baby's play gym, but he also needed a diaper change, a bath, and needed a pair of "jammies" to wear in preparation for bed time.

These were the pair that Thomas chose.

Friendship is a precious, precious thing!

You've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me

When the road looks rough ahead

And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed

Just remember what you're old pal said

Boy, you've got a friend in me

Naptime 'Nanigans

I smell trouble when these two start sharing a room!