Carson's highly anticipated prize for going all day without any accidents...Scooby Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf. Whatever works! I have a few more prizes on top of the fridge for the next couple days if he can continue to have no accidents.
One year ago I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and I became a "gluten-free girl". I'd say I took the news pretty well. I went through my pantry and was left with nothing, but I knew this was something I could deal with. A change in diet was all I needed. Easier said than done! I changed my diet right away and within a month I was pregnant which is what we hoped for. Now, one year later, I am done working full-time, Blake is 3 months old, life has calmed down and I have a bit more time to devote to cooking yummy meals that taste good to me too! I simply need some inspiration. Cooking already seems pretty pointless when my husband isn't hungry when he gets home, would rather eat a turkey sandwich or ramen noodles and Carson is a picky eater. Add the fact that I have to eat gluten-free and cooking is a hassle. I actually enjoy cooking! I want my family to sit at the dinner table every night like I did growing up. Today I vow to do better! I've started reading the above book because I need inspiration. I'm only a dozen pages in and I love it. I have been reading the author's blog www.glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com for several months and highly recommend it! I have a lifetime to eat gluten-free and by golly it's gonna be a tasty one. I'm sure I'll test out recipes that we don't like, but I'll try again. I hope this is something I can really learn to love and enjoy. I hope my cute little family can enjoy it too. So, here's to better cooking is 2009 and embracing the fact that yes, I am indeed a "gluten-free girl". 
I'm one lucky girl to have Matt as my Valentine! Last night we went out to dinner at Picazzo's (yummiest gluten free meal you'll ever come by!). It's always fun to go out and spend time with Matt. I feel like we don't get to see much of each other these days because he is so busy with work and finishing up some additional appraisal courses at night. We talked about our first Valentine's Day date. We had only been dating for about 2-3 weeks. We got all dressed up, he bought me perfume, dinner was $200 and we joke now about how he tricked me into marrying him. He took me on all sorts of fancy dates those first couple months! He says he already knew by then he'd marry me and I was pretty sure too. It has always been so fun, natural and easy with Matt. He's my better half. He makes me smile and laugh which I love. Happy Valentine's Day! 
I was scrolling through our family pictures again and this one caught my eye this time. Can you tell who is the center of attention in the Evans family?? Yup, you guessed it....Carson. That's the beauty of being the first grandchild. It always amuses me when I tell Carson he can't have something or can't do something and he immediately says, "I want my Grandma and Papa." This kid definitely knows how to work the system.
When Carson was about 4 months old he got really attached to his blanket. We called it Toby because that's what the tag said thanks to the folks at PotteryBarn. Well, when Carson learned to talk he lovingly started refering to it as his "Buddy" and that stuck. When I bought Carson's blanket I also purchased two more - one boy and one girl version. This is Blake's "Buddy". It has a blue dog on it named Max but I already refer to it as "Buddy" also. Both Matt and I were blankie babies. I love that my boys love them too! 
Here's a first - Carson holding Blake! Okay, so we bribed him with popcorn I think, but it was worth it. Blake looks a little worried. I was trying my hardest to get him to smile! 
Carson asks about a million questions when we go to the doctor's office. What's this, what's that, followed by about a million more why questions. He loves to see all the doctor's "tools" and had a fun time testing out his skills on Blake. For the most part Carson keeps his distance from Blake. He gives the occassional pat on the back to help Blake burp or lays on the floor to help demonstrate how Blake should be keeping his head up during tummy time but most often he can be heard telling Blake "it's okay buddy" when he gets sad. I have to crack up when Carson gives his little brother the play by play on whatever he is doing. Have two boys together is bound to be lots of fun!
Blake Woolf Evans was blessed on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Grandma and Grandpa Woolf's house. He was lucky enough to be blessed the same evening as his cousin, Kate Woolf. He wore the same blessing outfit Carson was blessed in which I thought was pretty special. My mom also made Blake his blessing blanket. Lots of hard work and love went into it and I will always cherish it. Matt gave him a wonderful blessing and we were fortunate to have lots of family there for Blake's special day. Days like this make me so grateful for all I have in my life - especially for my husband, two little boys, our families and knowledge of the gospel.
Uncle Adam & Carson using the "polo stick" as Carson calls it.
Aunt Marci loving baby Blake
It seems like the newborn phase always goes by so quickly. Blake is now 2 months old. He weighed in at 11 lb 15 oz of pure perfection at his two month appointment this week. He is such a sweet and happy baby. He has started to give us big smiles which we absolutely love. Carson is starting to notice him just a bit more. Carson likes to share his bath tub toys and likes to show off his Batman skills for Blake. We are so happy to have this darling boy as part of our family! 
Carson - Age 3 Carson is a lot of fun 99% of the time! I guess every three year old is allowed to have a moment of meltdown. He always has us laughing. A few of our favorite words he mispronounces are:
skel-a-skin (skeleton) fridge-a-later (refrigerator) hel-a-doctor (helicopter)
Blake - Age 6 weeks
Our first family photo with our newest addition. 
I lucked out when I married this guy! I don't think it's possible for me to love him more. He's perfect for me in every way.
We love our sweet baby Blake.
We had family pictures taken while Marci and Adam were here from Boston. Here is just one shot. I am excited to see the rest of them!
