Welcome Connor Joseph Lane

The highlight of our trip to Maryland came on Friday, March 28 when the newest member of our family arrived, Connor Joseph Lane. Griffin is now a big brother! Connor was 8 lbs, 2 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. He is perfect, as you can clearly see in these pictures. Kathy and Connor (Mike & Griffin too) are all doing great.

Happy Easter

We traveled to Maryland (with side trips to VA and Philly) for Easter this year and the Easter bunny found us :). We had a wonderful trip back to our old home. We got to see our friends and family and since we were there for 10 days, we really got to spend some quality time with everyone. It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun, but I have to say it was nice to return home to 80 degrees and sunny.

Evan's 1st Concert

Continuing in the St. Patrick's Day celebration spirit, we continued the festivities at a St. Patrick's Day festival in Celebration. It concluded with a FREE concert by Hootie and the Blowfish. What a cool first concert for Evan. Eventhough Hootie didn't go on until 9pm, he was such a trooper and stayed up until 10:00pm (a solid 2 hours past his bedtime). John Daly (the golfer) even showed up and sang "Knocking on Heaven's Door." Who knew he was a singer, but he was pretty good. Earlier in the day, Evan found the water feature and enjoyed himself fully in all the fountains. He loves the water :). To all our fellow Irishmen (and those who like to pretend you are this time of the year), Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Evan's 1st Baseball Game

Yesterday we went to see the Atlanta Brave's Spring Training Game at Disney. They played the Tampa Bay Rays (apparently they dropped the Devil from their name?). We went with Charlie, Maxwell, Shannon and a bunch of their friends. It was so much fun. We sat on the lawn seats which was great so that Evan and Maxwell could run around. While we were waiting for the game to start, Joe and Evan watched the Ray's pitchers in the bullpen. At the start of the game, the catcher gave Evan a ball, it was so great! His first game and he got a ball. It was the perfect day, the weather could not have been nicer and it was a great way to spend a Saturday. As is typical for me at a baseball game, not sure who won (think it was the Rays), but can definitely recommend the food and margaritas (isn't that what it's all really about anyway?).

Looking just like dad

So many people think that Evan looks just like Joe. I personally never really saw it, until Joe's Aunt Carol gave us this picture on Christmas. Those eyes and lips are identical! However, those cheeks are all mine!

First Steps

Today was a very exciting day in our house, Evan took his first steps on his own. For weeks/months he has been cruising, pushing things around our house and standing. Over the last 2 weeks he has been wanting to walk everywhere, holding our hands. Today, before I took him to Ms. Kerri's, he took one step on his own. I think I scared him I was cheering so loudly. Then when I picked him up at Ms. Kerri's this afternoon, I had him try it again and he took 3 steps. It was so exciting!! Congrats Evan, what a wonderful accomplishment! (so says the first time mom, everyone else is probably secretly laughing...guess what you have in store!)

it's a bird, no a plane

Evan is IN LOVE with birds and planes. He can spot one from miles away. We'll be in our house eating breakfast and Evan will hear a plane, point to the sky and say "plane", then continue to eat without missing a beat. He's got some great ears! He is maybe even more in love with birds. So much so, that one of Ms. Kerri's daughters suggested they get a bird to live in their house to fly around so that Evan would always be happy. Thankfully we were all able to convince her that was not a good idea. If you see a picture and Evan is pointing, it's because he either sees a bird or a plane and is letting us know. I know I never noticed birds before, probably not planes either. Thanks Evan for opening my eyes to so many things.

beach time

There is this story about me that is well told in my family that goes something like this: A long long time ago, when I was about 4 years old, my family and I stopped by the beach when we were visiting my grandma in southern California. Apparently, without warning and fully dressed, I ran straight into the ocean because I wanted to go swimming. Oh, and it was November. On Saturday, Evan proved that the apple does not fall far from the tree. The second we hit the beach, he grabbed my hands and ran for the water, fully dressed. Of course we had packed a bathing suit, but never quite got that far. He had the best time, as did Joe and I just watching him. Not that I ever needed an excuse to go to the beach, but thanks Evan for giving me millions!