He's walking (sort of), teething, & showing signs of being a rich man
10 months
First, I graduated on Friday, May 21st (hooray, me!) and we left the baby with Drew and Mary. After graduation we stayed at their place for awhile, hanging out, and Mary casually said something like, "...and then Evan walked over to the TV and..."
I said, "You mean he crawled?"
Her: "No, he walked."
Me, confused: "You mean while you held his hands?"
Her, simply: "No."
Me, in disbelief: "You mean while he held furniture?"
Her, annoyed: "No."
Me, incredulous: "You’re kidding, right? Cuz, that's not really a good joke."
Her, patiently: "No joke."
Me, curious: "How many steps did he take? One little wobbly one?"
Her, still calm: "Four."
FOUR STEPS? He took four steps? Oh, and to top it off, he took steps on a few different occasions, not just once, in a sloppy, accidental, he-lost-his-balance sort of way. He actually walked.
We haven't been able to get him walk again since. At least, not for us. He did take a couple steps for my mom today while I worked. I'm beginning to wonder if this is a conspiracy.

Speaking of work, I went back to work this week part-time. I'll start working two days a week at my old job on a temporary basis. I'm looking for a full-time job in a city that will allow us to buy a house on 1 or 1.5 incomes, and in the meantime I just need to make a little extra dough. It was weird to go into work. I still would rather be home with Evan all day, but in our society it's just so rare to be able to make it on one income. Sad.

Evan's been teething. He now has three teeth. He got his first top tooth about two weeks ago. He's working on tooth #4 and has been fussy at nights, off and on, for the last couple weeks. Popsicles help.

We went to the zoo last weekend. I was so excited. It was my first weekend in months that I decided not to work on my thesis (I'm still finalizing it even though they let me graduate). Since Evan loves ducks, I figured he'd love giraffes, monkeys, and flamingos. Turns out he couldn't care less. He did like being pushed in his stroller, though.

The other day I went to pick up a piece of jewelry at the jewelry store (I was getting a necklace repaired), and this very wise-looking old man wearing one of those weird jewelry glasses came out from the back, looked at Evan, and said, “aaaaahhhhh…..” I looked at him questioningly and he said, “He will be a rich man someday.” I said, with dollar signs in my eyes, “really?” Then he looked at Evan’s palm and confirmed it. He’ll be rich someday.

Other interesting things: He likes to close doors on us, and then open them. If we say, "peek," it's hilarious to him…. He sticks out his lower lip when he's focused on playing…. He's a total lover and gives us open-mouthed kisses on our cheeks…. Today while my mom watched him, he said, “mum mum” while hitting the door that I usually study behind…. He has become a serious hugger, and he wraps both his little hands around our necks and hangs on for like 2 minutes…. I’ve decided to predict his adult personality: laid back, very loving, outgoing, happy.

Andrea's Gradumacation
Andrea graduates friday night from Sac State with a Masters in Public Policy and Administration. HoooRaaaay for Andrea!

My Boy
He is practically a little boy now. Everyday the baby in him fades a bit and the "inquisitiveness" grows. He practices is D sounds and his M sounds and he's developed yet another throaty growl bringing the throaty growl count to three. He wakes up every morning with a bright beautiful smile. He just realized that he creates much nastiness in the back of his diaper. He doesn't like to lay still for changes and sometimes needs to be restrained by 2 adults who don't have nearly enough hands to keep him still AND clean and clothe him at the same time. We've resorted to covert tactics of diversion and sillyness. I have a promising career as a clown and poor Andrea will soon be starring in Rogain commercials if he keeps pulling out her hair.

All this makes him sound like he's out of control, but he's not, as all who know him can attest. He really is a mild-mannered little man that gives hugs and kisses and smiles all the time. He is very focused and must know who is in the room at all times. He keeps steady eye contact and you get a sense that he understands what's going on around him even though he can't articulate it yet. He is outgoing in public and waves at EVERYTHING. He's a rock star.

Sorry if this is getting shmarmy, but I've been very emotional the last few days with the world seemingly going to hell on the fast train. The Berg family tragedy hit me hard. I cannot imagine the pain they are dealing with. I have 2 brothers of prime draft age and now a I'm father... I cannot tell you enough how much I hate what is happening right now.

This war of choice has got to stop before any more of our kids get killed.

Happy Mother's Day to me!
Evan said bye-bye today!
We went to church and out to lunch with my parents today, and as we were saying good-bye to them, Evan put his arm up in the air and said, "Ub-bye." It was so cute! Although he's said about 4 words already (hiya, kitty, hi, bye), this is the first one I've heard. Later when he wanted to nurse he said "num." At least I think he did.

For the last few days, he's been waving at everyone and everything. He puts both of his chubby arms in the air and opens and closes his fists. He waves at waitresses, people at the next table, the water fountain, strangers at the mall, himself in the mirror, and the ducks at the pond.

A funny habit that he has developed... every time we go somewhere in the car, he removes one sock from his foot. I can't put it back on because it's wet from him sucking on it. Every single time.

We went to the park Friday and I pushed him in the swing. Pure glee.

Tom!!
My brother Tom is graduating this weekend from Toccoa Falls College!!!!! I wish we were there. We are so proud of him. Congrats!!!!!!!!

Evan's first word!
9 1/2 months
Evan said kitty! Or, more honestly, he said, "kee-eey." He did it for my mom while he was looking at the kitty and in between squeels of delight (and after hearing us say kitty over and over and over again whenever the cat is within his sight). A day later the same thing happened when he was with Jerry. I have yet to hear it. Whenever he sees Kramer, he lunges forward, his eyes practically popping out of his head, and squeels like a little girl, and then crawls after him. Kramer looks at him nonchalantly, then escapes just before Evan touches him.
So last week was a big week... first word, first two teeth, and first time waving. Oh, now when he waves, he gets his elbow into it. It doesn't look exactly like a wave except to those who know what he's trying to do, but it's pretty cute.