Now I Know...

So, while I was uploading pictures I found these. Now I know what Dave and Ethan do while I'm not home...

A Little Cuddle Never Hurt Anyone

So, even as a newborn, Ethan was never one to "cuddle." In fact, I could never even rock him to sleep. What kind of baby doesn't like to be rocked? For Ethan, that means he could not see what was going on around him. He is an observer. It makes it hard for Mom who would love a little cuddle-time once and a while... ok... all the time! Today was really nice. When I got home he was already tired. So he climbed up on my lap and wanted to watch "Signing Time." I put on the new episode "Helping Around the House." He has already learned "sweep" and started to sweep with his child-size broom. So maybe by next week he will learn "wash dishes"... hey, I can dream can't I?

What's Up With This Weather?!

I was so excited about the last three days of sunshine! I just happened to be at work all three days. So, I couldn't wait to wake up this morning. I had a day filled with so many activities for my little guy. He has been sick this week (again!) and the only thing that has made him happy is playing outdoors. You can imagine my dismay when I opened the blinds this morning to find it raining (again!). I still decided to have a great time anyway. Ethan and I played soccer upstairs until I kicked the stuffed soccer ball and knocked down the curtain rod, candle sconces, and several books. Then we played with play dough and Ethan's eyes got really big when I made two balls into ONE! Ahhh, where did the other go? We then chased bubbles. After Ethan decided he didn't want to take a nap I looked outside and the sun was shining! So, we got our puddle jumpers on and walked down to see the horse (which I think recognizes us now) and to the market a few blocks away. I got Ethan some cheese crackers and we sat on the bench outside the store to eat our snack. Then... it began to hail so hard! Ethan signed "rain" which brought me to laugh and say, "Now what do we do?" We sat for about ten minutes and it was getting colder. I was worried about Ethan but he didn't care at all. We walked back in the rain and when I could I would carry Ethan and run a little until the 30 pound load was too heavy. Ethan didn't mind a bit. He could of jumped in puddles, picked up bark, and look at the cars driving by all day long.

Animals To The Rescue

We had a long Sunday this week... but it was fun. We had a great service at church and then came home. I was hoping that Ethan would take a nap before we left for Brittney's birthday party but of course not. Since he was over tired, it was hard to get him out of the house again. The only way I could get him into the car was to say that we were going to see dogs, cats, a bird, and fish. As you can see he was in heaven.

Easter Day

Although Dave had to work Easter morning at church and go home so he could sleep to work that night, we had a great Easter. I went over to Dave's parents' house. Ethan was having a blast - of course they have a dog! Mom had great food (as always!) and baskets for all the kids. Ethan loved his toys and Gerber cookies (with no egg!). Since Ethan had been up since 6:30am he was a little tired. I rocked him to sleep. In the meantime, Tammy and Jessica brought eggs for the kids to have an egg hunt. They saved a few for Ethan and when he woke up all the adults went outside with Ethan to watch him have his very first egg hunt! Tammy took this awesome picture of Ethan. John was such a good uncle and helped out a lot! It really made up for Dave not being there. I hope your Easter was great too!

A Big Day

Ethan had an eventful day. Let me share with you the details:

1. Woke up to Ethan's gibberish. Got up, changed his clothes, gave him his cup of milk, and let him play a while before Dave got home.

2. Dave came home and played a bit before Ethan all of a sudden decided he was tired again.

3. Laid down, thinking that I could get a little more sleep. Ten minutes later, Ethan decided he didn't want a nap.

4. Took a shower and quickly changed since Ethan was now crying... Sound familiar?

5. Fed Ethan breakfast and got ready for the trip to town.

6. Searched the next fifteen minutes for items that should be in the diaper bag that aren't. Found them in Dave's car.

7. Left for town and went to the Lovin' Oven! Got Joanne's birthday present which was several pieces of cake to choose from. The manager gave Ethan a shortbread cookie (which contains no egg) and Ethan kept saying "mmmm". When he was done with the cookie he stared down a man eating some yummy pastry looking thing.

8. We went across the street to the barber shop to say hi to Roxi. I just found out that she had a shop in town. She is a close friend's sister. She has never got to meet Ethan and I thought it would be the polite thing to do since she could of seen us walk across the street to the Lovin' Oven. Ethan was surprised to see everyone staring at him...

9. We picked up Spud (Ethan's favorite stuffed dog) out of the gutter, now wet and filthy. Wow! We almost lost him!

10. We drove into the post office parking lot. We couldn't drive by without seeing Uncle Ray. We went in the back to see the chicks that came in the mail. The chirping was so funny to hear in the mail room. Ethan kept signing dog. Hmmm... maybe he doesn't know what a dog is...

11. We went to Joanne's and had a blast! Jonathan kept following Ethan telling him "no." It was funny when Eric was doing dishes, Ethan grabbed a fork and ran! Jonathan ran after him, took it out of Ethan's hand, said "no", and ran and put it back. For a 18 month old he is pretty good at taking care of his friends. We had lunch and played some more.

12. The minute I began to drive Ethan fell asleep. I went to check out Josh and Becca's house next. I didn't get past the kitchen. There are a lot of people inside! Everyone is working hard on the staircase and other stuff that carpenters do... :) It's not my house... I have no clue what anyone else was doing... :)

13. When we got home Ethan and I laid down for a nap! Can you believe it? Me neither...

14. After nap, the medication wore off and Ethan was in pain from teething those molars. So... needless to say, it was not a pretty sight at dinner time.

15. Bedtime came quickly and now peace once again... sigh!

16. Ethan is now crying upstairs... Wow, the peace and quiet lasted all of ten minutes.

Up a Horse's Nostril

Wow... I haven't posted anything in a long while. For those who don't know - our family is sick! Really sick...

First Ethan was sick and broke out in the hive-thing. We now know that he is allergic to eggs. So... he looks a lot better now.

Last week I was very sick with whatever the kids at school decided to share with me. It was horrible. I lost my voice and I found out that mom's don't get sick-time. So I was at work every day, planned and executed our school's Open House, and came home to take care of the house and my family. The days I was home Ethan was sick with what I had. It was so not fun.

Today, I got a phone call from Dave letting me know that he needed some medication from the store because he is sick. I was given a list of five different medications! The cashier was looking at me weird! I laughed when I saw Dave in bed... what a baby! I asked him why I didn't get any sympathy when I was sick? I reminded him that I took no medication, worked twice as hard at work, and at home! Men when they are sick... :)

The only thing that has kept me going this week is taking Ethan every day to house sit 3 dogs. On the way to see the dogs yesterday, there was a horse at the gate of a pasture. So, I pulled over and got Ethan out to see the horse. I signed "horse" and held him up to the animal. Ethan then decided to put his finger in the horse's nostril. Well... I guess if I was 1 I would probably wonder what the big hole was on the horse's face too. Anyway, the whole way home today he was signing "horse." But, the horse wasn't there... so sad.

My Big Boy!

Before I post birthday pictures, I had to let you see Ethan's first haircut! Today I got enough courage to cut Ethan's hair myself. I was almost in tears doing it. But, as you can see, no harm done! Afterwards, I just sat back and watched Ethan play... he is so grown up and so handsome.

Austen Men

Crack me up! Becca and I watched Pride and Prejudice last night. I couldn't wait for OPB's Masterpiece Theatre on Sunday to see the next part. I went online to check the schedule and I had to laugh at this http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/austen/menofausten.html! I know Kati and Becca would have a blast looking at who came in first place!

There He Goes!

I had to post a picture of Ethan walking so that family can see! Look at him go! Today I was dog sitting and Ethan just took off and went after the black lab! The lab was afraid. I would be too...