Holiday Pics

Mom, Aunt Jenny, Ethan and Kaylee

"Flying" with Grandad

Grandma's got the touch

Splish Splash!

Cousinly Love!

Finally...some holiday pictures!

I know I am slacking but being back to work signigicantly cuts into my blogging time:)

The holidays were busy, as usual, for us but we had a wonderful time visiting our family in Michigan. I left early because, as many of you know, Grandma Lucy fell and crushed (broken in over 10 places) her leg. She had surgery and is doing well but I wanted to be home to do what I could. We had fun visiting with Jenny, Tim, and Kaylee while she was staying at their house and the cousins were able to log many hours playing and pulling hair (sorry Kaylee).

Before Christmas we went to the Detroit area to visit Patrick's family. Christmas morning was a lot of fun with Ethan and Grandma and Grandpa Hurford. Of course he is too young yet but he did enjoy tearing paper and chewing bows before he grew tired of that.

Back to the Grand Rapids area we went Christmas afternoon where we stayed until the 29th. We celebrated Christmas with Grandad and Gina and were back off to Detroit for one more day until we drove home on the 30th.

I decided not to fly home with Ethan because we were all sick and the Grand Rapids airport was having a disaster of a time over the holidays maintaining order. I didn't want to chance it so we drove through the night. It worked out well except the dogs were practically touching the ceiling because we brought so much stuff home (Thank you everyone!). Oh- I guess I should clarify that we bought a new Tahoe at Thanksgiving so now we all fit in one car. Besides changing Ethan on my lap and letting him dance for 20 minutes out of his seat at a rest area in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania when he decided we should have a party bus at 1:45AM, the ride home was fine. I'd do it again.

Ethan updates:

- He waves hi and bye but only says bye
- He is cutting his top two teeth
- He went to the ER twice while in Michigan for wheezing and had breathing treatments (please God don't let it be asthma)
- Had his first ear infection while in GR (Thanks Ellen (Dr. Kruggel- Great pediatrician in GR if anyone needs one) for seeing us on such short notice and fielding my pathetic call for help at 10:00 PM)
- and the biggie...
ETHAN IS NOW WALKING!!!!!!
Yes, Lord help me, our 8 and a half month old took his first steps and is now fearless! He falls a lot right now but that is not stopping him. I am told it is only a matter of weeks until he is unrestricted. Babyproofing is first on the agenda this weekend. Luckily he doesn't really crawl so unless he can pull himself up on something he is pretty slow on the floor with the commando crawl.

Anyways... Here are the pictures. Happy New Year!

Winter Wonderland

We had our first snowfall this year with accumulation yesterday. Today it was 40 and sunny so we took full advantage of the day. I picked Ethan up from daycare early in his sled. He has now officially gone sledding down the hill in our front yard and loved just being pulled around. Mom had quite the workout. We had so much fun.

Ethan's First Teeth

Here is a peek at Ethan's first teeth. Look closely at the bottom gum.

The Greatest Feeling in the World

I have decided that the greatest feeling in the world is knowing that your child is happy. I have been feeling so unbelievably guilty about having him in daycare until today. I just dropped him off and as soon as he heard Christopher, Mikala, JJ and Anna he started panting and flailing with excitement. I could barely get his coat off because he was wiggling to get down. Ann-Marie (his "teacher") took him and he never looked back. As I put his coat away I watched him immediately begin to "play" with the other kids, smile and talk. It was the greatest feeling to know that he not only has that interaction (which I can not provide), is safe and most important, is happy.

"Sledding"

One of Ethan's early Christmas gifts was a new sled from Grandma and Grandpa Hurford. Of course we gave it to him early but since we do not have sufficient amounts of snowfall to enjoy the great outdoors... we improvised! Ethan loves "sledding" in the living room. (No that is not our carpet, our rug is being replaced so that is only the padding- long story)

Ethan Walking

I think we are in trouble. Ethan has gone from walking holding our hands to walking behind his walker. This video was taken Sunday, December 2, by today he is already able to start and stop it on his own while maintaining his balance. He is only 7 months old. Any advice besides baby-proof now?

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.