Hello again!

Ethan at his music class


Daddy's new bike with a bonus for Ethan


Best Friends


BUBBLES!


Ethan's Sandbox



It's been a while but we are all still here. Busy, busy, busy. But what else is new, this is the American lifestyle!

Ethan is definitely a toddler, although he will always be my baby. He know all his animal sounds now, jumps, runs, climbs, eats with utensils, speaks a few two to three word sentences, identifies food and counts to three. That's only what I can think about. The child is crazy! But the source of every bit of joy in our days. He is so much fun!

Patrick just celebrated the big 3-0! We had a surprise party in the city after work on Thursday. He was shocked! Literally could not place his own parents when he saw them. The look was priceless. I felt bad though, he was expecting a romantic dinner with yours truly- I am sure he was disappointed not to have the anticipated event:)

Otherwise, nothing too new and exciting. Grandma Lucy came to visit last month to give Patrick and I a chance to get away for the weekend. It was wonderful. The only disappointment was that we were so looking forward to sleeping in but found ourselves waking up at 5AM out of habit. Luckily we were able to stay in bed.

This summer is passing by too quickly. We are hoping to return to Michigan before September. Patrick has a few work commitments, possibly going to Germany, to take care of before we can set any official plans. Otherwise we find ourselves playing in Ethan's sand box and blowing bubbles on the weekend. Oh how Ethan loves his bubbles! There is nothing cuter than to here that little boy squeal "BUBBLES!" as they blow off the wand!

Anyways, I will try to be better in the future about posts...

Our first family destination vacation

We took our first family destination vacation to Siesta Key, FL with the Fino's. The Welch family was kind enough to take us in for the weekend. Patrick had a wonderful time golfing and I was very fortunate to have five wonderful days with Ethan.

Ethan LOVED the pool and the ocean. He was definitely not afraid of the water and enjoyed jumping in off the side saying "GO" with every jump. He also loved the waterfall and ledge where he could watch various objects go overboard, circle and pop out of the water for him to retrieve. He also enjoyed the geckos.

After our vacation though Patrick and I quickly decided we needed a VACATION- a relaxing one for both of us. Grandma Lucy is coming at the end of the month. I am a little hesitant to leave Ethan but I know he will be in great hands and once I sip a strong margarita the world will just slow down. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Good Morning Birthday Boy!


Party Soccer


That's YUMMY!


Birthday Boy


This is fun!


Destroyed!


Thank you for my cards!


How many attorneys and ex-Navy Seals does it take to assemble a toy? Ok, bad joke.


Cousins


Where is my after party?







I don't care what anyone says, this big boy will always be my baby.

Saturday was Ethan's first birthday. Despite being diagnosed with a double ear infection at 5:00PM Friday evening, Ethan was a little champion on his birthday! We started the day with his music class where everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He always gets a kick out of hearing his name in a song. Then we spent the day with him enjoying the nice weather and his new wagon. The party started at 4:30PM and by 5:00PM everyone was here, eating and having fun.

Ethan was too excited to eat but had fun following the big kids and kissing the babies. Then came cake time. He had his eggless, milkless, cupcake (they were even good) in front of him but he had no idea what to think. First a little frosting on the finger to stare at, then a little frosting in his hair. Then a lot more frosting in his hair. His "King" hat was ripped apart and finally he destroyed the cupcake! It was quite humorous. Everything a one year old should do with a cupcake.

He was not too interested in his gifts so we let the other kids, and Mommy, open them. Bows, balloons and the cards were more fun for him.

Finally it was time for bed but the poor little guy literally twitched from the sugar until he finally crashed. What a day!

Now the reality is that my baby is one and not a baby any more. He is such a big boy running around, dancing, jabbering non-stop (I wonder where he gets that from), making animal noises, and testing his parents. It has been such an amazing year to watch this little helpless baby turn into a sassy little toddler. Time passes by far too quickly. I continue to learn to cherish every day.

Anyways... Happy Birthday Ethan! May this next year be full of new learning experiences, fun, growth, and memories.

We love you!

First Haircut

Getting ready for the first cut.


No problem, the Wiggles are on!




Such a good boy.




Just curious



Ethan's new look



After three people last weekend complimented our beautiful little girl we decided it was time for Ethan's first haircut. Yesterday we went to Sharkey's Cuts for Kids armed with the camera, video camera, plenty of toys and snacks, and an open mind to a new experience. We only needed the cameras because Ethan did great!

Ethan sat in the jeep shaped chair, watched the wiggles, and played with a balloon the entire time the stylist miraculously cut the hair on his wiggling head. No tears, no screaming, he didn't even try to get up. Only dancing and curiously trying to follow the scissors.

The cut is great except he looks like such a big boy now! Patrick and I just can't believe how big our little guy is and now he looks even bigger!

Happy Easter

The smile from an Easter suprise!




Ethan's new basket


What's in this egg?


Are there any more?


Ethan's monkey even fits!


The cheesy family picture


Happy boy


We hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We had a wonderful Easter today. We went to church this morning where Ethan and the little boy behind us ended up trying to kiss eachother. The other boy's grandfather quickly put a stop to that- it was rather humorous. The Finos came over for dinner and enjoyed watching Ethan's first Easter egg hunt with us.

The hunt was not much of a hunt, more like a find. Ethan's face when he entered the room and saw all the new toys and eggs was priceless. Grin from ear to ear. It certainly made it all worth it. So with two video cameras rolling and the digital camera snapping we caught nearly all the fun moments.

Our little Bully

Yes, I have to say my child is a bully. I say this with a sense of pride in that he is bullying two and three year olds at daycare. I swear, and the daycare ladies agree, that Ethan thinks he is at least as big and as old as the two year olds.

I was worried about two weeks ago that he was being bullied at daycare by one of the older boys who I witnessed throw him down while I walked in one day. I voiced a concern and was assured that they would keep an extra eye on him but was told that Ethan has no problem holding his own. Now I know this to be true.

Exhibit 1: Tuesday I walked in to watch Ethan yank a toy out of a two and a half year olds hands, knock him down and make him cry. (Daddy says, "That's my boy!")

Exhibit 2: Thursday I pick up Ethan only to learn that earlier in the day he wanted a toy that was at the bottom of the toy box and could not reach it. One of the older girls (three to four year old) reached in and took the toy he wanted. Ethan followed her and yanked the toy from her hands and ran away.

Exhibit 3: Today I arrive to see Ethan rocking the "babies" (4-6 month olds) in their seats, saying "baby", patting them on the head and hand gently and giving them kisses. Immediately following this he pushes through two older boys to get a front row seat at the door gate to see who was at the door. Once again making one boy cry.

My only problem is now he is picking up the behavior or the two and three year olds. Can you say temper tantrums?!? One day this week he did not get what he wanted and literally stood in the middle of the living room floor bouncing up and down, pounding his fists, screaming and crying hysterically for ten minutes. I called Patrick so he could hear his son, remember the "That's my boy!" comment. I refused to acknowledge the behavior so when he finally threw himself to the floor I asked him if he wanted to sit with me. He came over and I held him. At that point I don't think he even knew why he was crying anymore. Then it was over. Luckily that was the first and only so far.

He is doing great otherwise! He is learning to feed himself and is doing very well. He feeds himself his applesauce and yogurt now. The only thing I do is help him dip the spoon in the container. He is also saying "bye, bye" and waving at the appropriate times. Today he even did it leaving daycare without being prompted! Animal sounds are coming along. He can point to the animals but really only quacks like a duck so far. We are working on it. I think he hears enough barking in this house and is refusing to bark like the dogs. His favorite game is hide and seek and loves going to the park.

Concentrating on feeding himself, and doing a fine job!

Our latest news is that Ethan will be starting a 10 week music class on April 11 called music and movement. I am really excited to take him because he LOVES to dance and hear music. He is a Wiggles fan- the only show I let him watch (thank God for DVR).
Eating a snack and watching The Wiggles

We are looking forward to Ethan's first Easter egg hunt this weekend. We'll post pictures after the weekend. Have a Happy Easter everyone!

Cleaning up our language, instantly!

So now that Ethan is starting to talk more and more he is imitating nearly everything we say that he thinks is interesting. So it was no suprise when changing his diaper the other morning that he began to repeat the word "butt" after we had made a comment about him having a stinky one. Anyways, what was suprising was the amount of enjoyment Ethan gets from hearing and saying the word. He thinks it is hilarious. I have to admit it is very funny.

Here is a clip from dinner the other night. We may not be a civilized and classy family but we sure have fun.

TPing at a very young age

Ahhh yes, we have discovered the art of TPing at a very young age. Oh the joy of completely unravelling a brand new roll of toilet paper all over the bathroom. Although Ethan was caught red handed I let him enjoy the thrill and excitement of spinning the roll until it was empty. Now all our bathrooms have either the doors closed or no rolls on the holders. How do you babyproof that one? Anyone?

Caught red handed!

Oh well! You got me!

Now what are you going to do about it?

I'm out of here!

President's Day Weekend

The Hurford family had an very fun and exciting weekend together.

Saturday we were called into the allergists office to discover Ethan is allergic to everything except the dogs. He is allergic to eggs, peanuts, wheat, milk, and soy so far. His overall Ige level was 319- normal for his age is below 20. The allergist advised us to put him in a bubble. In all seriousness we now have to really monitor his foods and spent time over the weekend at the specialty foods stores finding reduced allergen food. The poor little guy now has an epinephrine pen that travels with him "just in case". Most importantly he is still growing, smiling, and laughing.

After the allergists office, we went to the bar. Seriously. We took Ethan to lunch and had such a great time. He was such a good boy that when we went to leave the couple sitting behind us complimented how good he was. Patrick told her he was on baby Benedryl- I could have killed him. Then we walked downtown in the neighboring town and visited the local toy store. Ethan loves playing cars, he needed a new one.Sunday we went into Manhattan. We went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and central park. Ethan was so good in the museum. We took in a little extra Renoir and Cezanne so Ethan could run around the big bench in the middle of the rooms. He is also getting to be a pro at eating out and sleeping on the train/subway.
Monday was a lazy day. We walked downtown Larchmont, to the pharmacy and to the grocery store. We just relaxed together and played. Ethan loves to play with his dogs-thankfully they love him too.
Now it is back to work and we are all sick again. Happy Tuesday!

Look out!

Here is a little example of how our little man is on the move these days. This was before bed tonight but he is tearing around corners, turning around, backing up, side-stepping, just a crazy walking little guy! He has also learned how to play "cars". It is quite cute.

Look at me!

Trouble!
Trouble!
More Teething
More Teeth (Really bad pic of Ethan but at least you can see some more teeth. He has six now.)
Ethan loves his dogs

Helping Dada with some paperwork