Ethan's First Picture with Santa

Ethan had his first picture taken with Santa today. He was such a good boy, as usual. He most enjoyed tearing apart the coloring book they gave him. It was fun to get a smile this year because based on the other kids in line, he may be crying next year.

All I got for Thanksgiving were my two front teeth!

On Tuesday before Thanksgiving we saw Ethan's first tooth for the first time. We had felt it and heard it the week before but were finally able to see it. By Friday we could start to see the other lower front tooth under his gum. It has not erupted the gum yet but the poor little guy is surely feeling it.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Pat's family. Pat's parents and cousins were able to join us. The food turned out DELICIOUS! I shocked even myself. Homemade pumpkin pies right down to the crust, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, fresh cranberry sauce, sausage stuffing, spinach souffle, and of course "Ernie", yes I named the 22lb bird. I have to say that the cooking channel was right- you have to brine the bird! It was great!

I hope everyone is geared up for the holidays. We are so excited this year mostly because of the new spirit surrounding the holidays in being able to share in all of Ethan's "Firsts".

More baby laughter...Go Bucks!

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We had a great weekend this weekend. We went into the city yesterday to watch the football game, Uncle Brian and Aunt Michele babysat Ethan, and the Buckeyes beat Michigan for the fourth year in a row. What a great weekend!

Oh yeah, enjoy the baby laughter- Ethan is laughing at the Weasels, I mean Wolverines!

Winter is Coming...

It is getting to be that time of year when winter coats and hats come out of the closet. (I am happy to fit in my winter coat again.) Ethan of course still loves going outside so we bundle up and take our walks. He is the cutest little boy all wrapped up! What do you think- Do you like his hat?

Ethan is doing very well at his new daycare. He is a lot happier when I pick him up and I am much happier because I feel like he is getting far superior care to the last situation. He loves the other kids and they seem to really enjoy him. They are all around 18 month to 2 years but all say "BABY!" when I bring Ethan in. It is quite cute.

Baby Laughter

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Who doesn't love to hear a baby laugh? Happy Friday! (Shaky camera because he laughs at me flipping my head back and forth with wet hair- anything to hear that laugh.)

Evidence

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Well all I have to say is that we have moved beyond pulling himself up on just the laundry basket and crib. Today it was his Christmas present (it came in the mail, I had to give it to him) and the sofa. He tried to hold onto Bella but when she walked he lost his balance. Notice in the video that he walks to me at the end. He has also started taking steps only holding one of my hands.

Will someone please remind Ethan that he needs to crawl first!

We finally got a computer!

Yes, you are all in trouble now! Daily pictures and video here we come! Our new iMac arrived yesterday and although it will take me three years to figure this thing out I do know how to hook up the camera and get on the internet. Need I say more.

Time to drop the crib its final notch...

The time has come for our big boy to be at max depth capacity on his crib. Today as we were playing with the laundry basket (why do we buy toys?) Ethan grabbed the edge and stood up. I was so proud of him. But then I put him in his crib, turned around for a second and sure enough, the little stinker was standing up behind me. Now we have to take baby-proofing to a whole new level if he can pull himself up on things. He is so cute and entertained with himself though.

After 8 days, I yanked our son from daycare...

Yes, it's true. Last week after walking into daycare on Thursday morning I was so upset/furious/disgusted that I picked Ethan up, packed his things and removed him from daycare. All I have to say to fellow new parents is: Do your homework and then revisit. We were snowed! We were so convinced that this daycare was our best option based on our options for Ethan but could not have been more wrong. Let's just say:

-dead bugs in his food crate
-diaper rash after 4 days
-workers wearing dirty shoes on baby floor mats
-sweet potatoes up Ethan's nose at 3PM when he ate at 10AM
-45 degree air blowing in on babies because a worker was "hot"
-Ethan crying in the middle of the room seated on floor when 2 workers sitting and talking
-Not using wipes or ointment when changing diaper-explains rash
-Not washing hands after changing a diaper
-Crock pot with dirty warm water used to warm bottles-the water leaked into caps around nipples

You may be asking yourself why I had him there 8 days. This stuff all added up over time and the worst offenses I did not find until the morning I pulled him. You will be happy to know he was never there longer than 4 hours. Poor kid.

Now he is at an in-home daycare at a neighbor's house two doors down. He is the youngest baby so he is getting a lot of the attention and in learning from the older kids. There are 7 kids and 2 ladies but in the afternoon only 4 or 5 kids with 2 ladies. Most of the kids are between 18 to 24 months.

Anyways, now you know why I have sounded a little stressed lately if you have talked to me. It is hard enough having him in daycare but even worse to think of all this. He is in a much better situation now. That is what I can be thankful for.

Our little Pumpkin

Ethan's First Halloween was a success! We had so much fun with him. Patrick was able to come home early from work to dress him up for the evening. We all sat at the front door watching the trick or treaters. Ethan loved seeing the kids. We can't wait until next year when he can go out and get us some candy.

Time flies...

It is amazing how quickly time flies by! I came across these pictures only to realize how much Ethan truly has grown in just 6 months. Life is such an amazing miracle.

Ethan is certainly not a completely helpless baby anymore. He definitely has his father's brain, his mother's stubborn streak, and is all boy! Because he can walk holding our hands he is always on the go! He knows where to find the dogs, where his bathtub is (which he loves to play in with or without water), the exit to his bedroom (a gate that he thinks he can climb), his books (which he pulls off the shelves and tries to eat), and the telephone- oh how he loves the telephone!

Late breaking news... at around 7:00PM this evening he started commando crawling. He only went around 6 or 8 inches but I think we are very close to having to completely baby-proof the house.

My baby is growing up too fast!

New tricks but not all treats

Ethan has learned a few new tricks. First he is walking like crazy (with assistance) and stands on his own holding on to something (crib, wall, sofa), and is mastering his walker. Unfortunately he has also learned how to manipulate his way into Mom and Dad's bed at 2AM.

When he was sick two weeks ago I slept with him in the spare bedroom a couple of nights because he was practically up all night and Patrick had to work so he needed his sleep. Now he has decided that when he wakes up between 2 and 3AM he needs to find a more comfortable bed and will scream for up to 2 hours- that's right folks, I am up from 2-4AM. Finally I crumble like a cheap muffin a carry him off to bed. We have tried changing the diaper, feeding him, giving him tylenol (suspecting teething), rocking him, everything! No matter what, even if he falls back asleep he is up every 15-20 minutes thereafter until he wins. This weekend we attempted tough love with letting him cry for 15 minutes then going in briefly only to let him cry again. After 2 hours we gave in. I spoke with the doctor today and since she saw him last Monday she said she thinks it is behavioral and we will just have to suck it up and let him cry for up to several hours, yes HOURS, to break him. Lord help us.

So I'm a little behind...

Well, its been a little while so here is the scoop...

We are back from Columbus and Michigan and had a fabulous time at both places. In Columbus Ethan and I were able to visit our old friends and neighbors Jerry and Sharon and Julie, Jason, Kate, and Erin, and my friend Amy and her adorable daughter Ava. We stayed with my very pregnant friend Debbie - who is looking fabulous for 8 months pregnant- Go Debbie!

In Michigan Ethan and I stayed with Grandma Lucy for a week but were fortunate enough to see Grandad, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Tim, Kaylee, Jenn, Shelly, and Carrie. We had a wonderful time visiting in GR. Then we went to Detroit for Brian and Michele's wedding- Congrats!- and saw Grandma and Grandpa Hurford. Ethan had his first night with a non-related babysitter. Thank you Mrs. and Mr. Huntington! He was is great hands. We had a great trip except Ethan got sick for the first time. He had croup this week. Not fun.

Now we are back in NY and dealing with the daycare situation. Tomorrow is my first official day back to work- YUCK!!!- but I don't even have a job assignment yet. Ethan started daycare on Thursday- just two hours with me there. On Friday he was there from 9:30 until 1PM and it nearly killed me. I couldn't even leave the room without crying. I literally started thinking about his day and had to hand him to the worker and leave the room. What sealed my coffin was Ethan flashing me a huge smile as I was sobbing out the door. He did not nap for them and apparently cried quite a bit. They say it is normal but I know he is sad because he is so accustomed to getting one on one attention and being able to move around all the time. It is very hard right now. They keep commenting on how advanced he is for his age and I keep thinking how he will fall behind now that he is there. Someone please tell me he won't turn into a moaning blob like the other kids in his room appear to be.

Anyways, I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. Half day again. We'll see...

New Shoes

My big boy finally got a new pair of shoes. Someone told me to get shoes on him now so he can get accustomed to wearing them before he walks so we went to stride rite and got a fancy pair for crawling/ standing. I learned he has big feet though- already size 4! He doesn't quite love them yet but will deal with them in small doses. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

Video Challenged

So, apparently I am more challenged than we all once thought. After everyone was saying they couldn't see the video, yet I could see it from my computer, I finally figured out that I had it marked private so no one but us could see it. I fixed it. So if you tried to see the videos and couldn't, try again. I think it works now. If anyone sees it, please leave me a comment so I know it works.

Other than that Ethan is doing great just getting bigger and stronger by the day. I will put new pics up soon and some funny video- if it works.