Hockey player in training!!?!

Ben thinks so! In January, we got Evan fitted for a corrective helmet to fix his flat head. Apparently, we are finding that this problem is quite common, especially since babies sleep on their backs now. One of Evan's little buddies had to wear one too.
Evan also had to participate in some physical therapy for his torticollis (weak neck muscles). He only had a few visits, and now it seems to be gone. He had a very mild case of it. Hopefully, the helmet thing will be done in April. I miss seeing his blond hair! And that dang helmet hurts when it smacks me in the face!

1st New Year's Eve

Evan got to spend New Year's Eve with my parents so Ben and I could go out for dinner with some friends at Joe's Garage in Minneapolis.

1st Christmas

He has no idea what he is doing! We spent Christmas Eve at Judy and Terry's (Ben's aunt and uncle). This has been a tradition for years. It was the last one, however, because Judy and Terry are selling their house and moving to Florida. :( We went to midnight mass at St. Joe's Catholic Church with my family on Christmas Eve. Then, we spent Christmas Day at my mom and dad's house with my mom's side of the family.

1st Christmas Card Photo

This was the best one we took. Too bad he didn't smile! :(

1st teeth

Evan got two teeth in December, about 2 weeks apart. He drooled more than normal, but was barely fussy. I've heard horror stories about teething, so I was pleased with Evan's experience. This picture does not show the teeth....I just thought it was so cute!

6 months

My parents gave Evan this little Twins uniform, so we had him wear it for his 6 months photos. Go Twins! 2006 Division Champions!

1st time to Wisconsin!

We went to LaCrosse, Wisconsin to visit Aunty Mary and Lance in the beginning of December. Mary was finishing up her undergraduate degree in art at the University Of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, and she had her art displayed at the senior art show at the gallery on campus. Here, she stands with Evan in front of her favorite print (Geisha).

1st Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving, 2006, we went to Kozlak's for lunch with Ben's family, and then over to my parents for dinner. We were so stuffed! Here is Evan with the turkey....which he didn't even get to eat!

1st Halloween!

Halloween is Aunty Mary's favorite holiday. She bought Evan costumes for this Halloween and next! Plus, she loves dressing up herself! She was a 50's girl this year. Mom and Dad will wait to do the costume thing when our Evan is much older......or maybe not!

1st time eating food!

Ok, so this may not be a big deal now, but it was a big moment when Evan ate rice cereal for the first time in October, 2006! One month later he started eating veggies and fruits. So far, he likes everything we feed him! Hopefully it stays that way!!!!!

3 months

What a happy guy! Actually, it took a while just to get this smile out of him!

1st Christmas stocking

My cousin's grandmother (Marlys) makes these stockings. She made the same one for me (with my name on it) when I was born. I have a picture of me in my stocking when I was 20 days old. Evan was much older in this picture, but he still fits in it!

1st time eating out

Evan's first restaurant experience was for Ben's 28th birthday (9-3-06). Evan was three months old. We went to Applebee's for dinner.

First friends

Here is Evan with his first friends. All of these babes were born in 2006. From left to right: Reese (Aug. 22), Easton (July 20), Evan (May 29), and Teagan (Jan. 20). This picture was taken in October, 2006.

1st time at the apple orchard

On October 21st, 2006, we took Evan to Pinetree Apple Orchard for Mary's 25th birthday (it's tradition that we go there for her b-day). We dressed him up in this pumpkin suit to keep him warm!

Xcel Energy Center

In the summer of 2006, Ben's hockey team had a chance to play at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Evan and I went with to watch. It was Evan's first time at the X, and his first time watching daddy play hockey...when he wasn't sleeping!

Our 4th Anniversary: Evan's 1st picnic

Every year for our anniversary, we have a picnic lunch at Como Park, because that's where we enjoyed some time on the day of our wedding before heading to the ceremony. This was our first anniversary that we shared with our baby.
Evan decided not to poop for about 5 days prior to our anniversary. Then, as luck would have it, he had a HUGE blow-out right in the middle of our picnic lunch! What a little stinker!

Four Generations

Obviously, here is Ben's side of the family: Evan, Ben, Brad, and Ken.

First boat ride

Evan was able to get some fresh air on the pontoon. We love to take it out for a cruise around the lake occasionally.

First Parade

Cousin Katlyn was a Junior Ambassador Princess for Brooklyn Park and was in a series of parades over the summer of 2006. Evan and cousin Kiana waved to her as she went by on her float.

Ben and Evan's first Father's Day

Here are the two loves of my life!

10 days old

Woops! I forgot to upload these photos before the last entry. These are his first professional photos. They give a good idea of how tiny he really was.

Four Generations

Evan took his first road trip to Velva, North Dakota when he was one month old to celebrate the 4th of July and attend his first wedding (Adam and Andrea Schlag). He enjoyed meeting all of his aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially his Great Grandma Barbara Gerger. She just loved holding him!