9 Month Check In

Sweet boy is 9 month and 19 lbs! You are definitely on the charts in weight but still (like most of the family) vertically challenged. This month's Dr. check up was long since we are still trying to get well. Ethan has had several ear infections over the last two months. It has become a very bad cycle-- ear infection, diaper rash, cough ect. At the 9 month check up we found out he had a double ear infection and he had bronchitis. Breathing treatments didn't do him any good so poor thing had to tough it out with humidifier and drugs. Seems Ethan may be headed for ear tubes in the New Year.

Regarding physical changes. You are doing all the same things as you did at 8 months but moving around a little faster. You are using the walker to get from place to place and figuring out how things work. I did think that you might be walking by the end of December but that is not the case. Its ok tho. Please don't rush!

On food: You are snacking like a maniac these days. You love yogis, crunches, cheerios, mum mums... well pretty much anything I put in front of you. Fav fruit is banana, veggie is carrots, you will tolerate turkey. You are still consistently drinking 4 bottles. I am encouraging the use of a sippy cup but you don't really like it. Also, you don't want to hold your bottle on your own either....

I love your giggles and your dimples. Can we pause time here?

Happy 8 Months E!

You are pulling up, scooting and sidestepping as quick as your little chunky legs can move you. We have bets on when you will officially be walking on your own. Gramps says Christmas. I suppose you will go on your own time just like all the big moves you have made in the past. You just make up your mind and go. Next month we will have official stats but I am sure you are close to 18 lbs. We call you our little chunk. :-)

Hanging around

Random pics from October.... just a quick note. Annabelle is growing up so fast! She really started to come into her "big kid" phase both physically and verbally. Also, she is loving school! I love hearing all about the things she does during the day and all about her friends. It is so fun.

7 Months!

Ethan man is 7 months and while there is no official dr apt this month I imagine you are close to 17lbs. You can pull up and are always watching your big sister. In your world no one can make you laugh like Annabelle. It is very amusing. She can merely laugh out loud and you will grin ear to ear in adoration. So cute!

Catching up. A letter to Ethan.

Dear Ethan,

You might think that my (several month) hiatus from this blog meant that I wasn't documenting your life changes. Please know that this is absolutely not the case. I write this only because I want your to know that while our life is so much busier and fuller since you came to us, we-- your dad, myself and Annabelle-- take no less pleasure in watching you grow up.

In the past two months-only a very short time period- you changed so much. You have started babbling, reacting to simple commands (hands up!), moving on your own and your curiosity grows everyday. You are eating solid foods on your own and so far as I can tell- only rejecting things that are green. I suppose we will need to work on that.... You love your bottle. Two things that are interesting, you love feeding yourself solid foods, especially fruits and cheerios but are not interested in holding your bottle or actually drinking out of a sippy cup. I suppose you are on the brink of independence.

I can't tell you how much I love your smile. Those dimples....swoon! You light up any room.

Cozy blankets and cuddles are a must when it comes to bedtime. There are probably a million parenting books that would tell me that I should not rock you to sleep every night. I do it anyways. I don't regret a second of that time I spend with you. Also, I love that you blink twice and sigh right before falling into a deep sleep.

I will be posting pics and trying to catch up over the next week. Updates and random sorts just like before. Stick with me.

Love,
Mom

This Week

This was the first full week in our new Fall schedule. A and E are in school. Plus A has extracurriculars such as ballet and playgroup. I relish the downtime that I get to spend with them whether it be on the couch watching a movie (we have watched Tangled so much I can recite line by line) or reading books or field trips to the Arboretum and library. Time is precious and I have to remind myself not to get caught up in the tedious.

Here are some of the pics from the park, Arboretum and reading High Five with A.

Fun in the bath

Ethan is starting to really like the water, especially bath time. The minute I put him in the water he starts splashing around and grabbing for toys. This baby is ADORABLE!

First Day of School

We have been waiting for this day for a long time. It is the Fall and first day at Wilshire for Annabelle and Ethan. Both kiddos go three days a week- Annabelle in PreK 3's and Ethan in the infant room. So far we really like their teachers and Annabelle really loves being in school and making new friends. I am so looking forward to seeing her learn and grow this year. She is so smart!

E's first taste of solid foods

Ethan wasn't really into the rice cereal. As a matter of fact, he pretty much hated it at first. It might have had something to do with the fact that his sister wanted to be involved and feed him. She was probably going a little too slow for his liking... and missing his mouth completely! Anyway, E has since moved on to oatmeal, carrots and sweet potato and he has not turned any of those down. Here is hoping that Ethan is a little more adventurous that A is when it comes to eating a variety of food.

Happy Half Birthday Ethan!

He is halfway to 1yr and I can't believe how fast time flies! Ethan is an absolute doll and we are really enjoying seeing him grow and develop his personality. For the most part he is very cuddly. He likes to be held and in the action. The only exception is at night. He doesn't really like to be held too long- just wants to go to bed! Ha! Doesn't bother me especially since he is a good sleeper. 11 hours at night and usually 2 naps a day for about 1.5 hours. :-)

He LOVES watching his sister. In fact, some of his biggest smiles are reserved specifically for her. Every time I hear Annabelle say, "Hi, Ethan buddy, Ethan buddy, Ethan buddy," my heart melts because he breaks out with the biggest grin on his face. I hope that they are always close and sweet to each other....

Stats from his 6 month check up are as follows: weight, 15.5.6 lbs (11th %), length 25.75 in (13th %), head circ. 16.8 in (27th %). Little one is officially eating all formula - I think that has a lot to due with the weight gain- and he has started solids. I will post more on that later.

Here are the pics. Happy Half BUDDY!

Ethan 5 months

Oh my! Things are changing and Ethan is growing... fast! At the beginning of this month he was rolling one way and sitting in the Bumbo for short periods of time. At the end of the month he is rolling everywhere and in all directions and standing/playing in an activity center. He is propping himself up on all fours and threatening to crawl. It won't be too long before he takes off! No stats this time since Dr visit comes next month but Ethan is very easily fitting into 6 month clothes and I am pondering another visit to Target for 9 month pj's this weekend. Big changes this month- E is now officially on formula and he is eating some rice cereal. More on that later. He is eating at 8am, Noon, 4 and 8pm. Ethan sleeps like a champ at night and naps at least twice a day.

Hi, buddy!

Annabelle has always been good with Ethan. Sometimes she is a little over enthusiastic in showing her love. IE hugging him to death or swinging him just a bit too fast.... Anyway she is trying to help and it is very sweet to watch her care for him.