Well since I've posted here we've moved across town, our little man turned 2, and we are in final prep stages for our little girl to arrive.
But really what I'm currently most excited about is the explosion of vocabulary in my just turned 2 year old!
So here is a list of some of his words. Make sure you hear them in your head with missing syllables and mumbling in a cute toddler voice.
Sock
Shoe
Mess (probably his favorite)
Broom
Pink (which is pancake)
Banana
Orange
Rice
Bowl
Spoon
Cup
Hot
Dada
Mama
Nana
Memere
car
truck
book
go
ready
bye
almost
fingers
head
toes
elbow
eyes
ears
kiss
hug
cuddle
change (as in, diaper change)
Mickey
Thomas
sip
up
move
wash
soap
rinse
bath
sleep
bed
walk
work
please
thank you
sorry
Comin' (which is either a command.. you come with me!, or an explanation, I'm coming!.. haha..)
there are more, but thats what I could think of off the top of my head.. He also puts 2 and 3 words together
I want ____ .
I'm ready!
sit up
This is one of my favorite stages and it is so nice to be able to communicate with Ethan. We are so blessed and thankful that he is reaching this milestone and saying new words everyday!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Hello.. we need a lifeline!
This blog needs a serious update (or maybe some CPR). So, here goes the last four months..
Did I mention we are expecting baby #2 in December? We found this out in the Spring and so far have had no complications. It is a girl! Right now I am about 23 weeks along. The official due date is December 11, but we are expecting anytime in December.
Ethan is a walking, running, energetic toddler. Right now he is 21 months old and He says new word everyday. Seriously, its awesome. I am enjoying everyday with him.. even though some days its mostly tantrums all day. He definitely has a will and is not afraid to express it! Ethan is also a great eater and eats almost everything we put in front of him. His favorite foods are peaches, bananas, strawberries, corn, peas, blueberries, muffins, and donuts (I know, I know, but every mom has her weakness). Sometimes on Saturdays Steve goes to our favorite local donut shop (where sometimes you stand in line for 30-45 minutes) and when he comes home with the bag (or box if we got a lot) Ethan gets super excited!!
This summer we also decided to sleep train Ethan. While it has been a long, hard road, it has paid off with a child who finally sleeps through the night (11-12 hours) and goes down fairly easy. This was not what I would call my ideal.. but I knew it was the only way for him to learn. After almost two months he cries for a minute or two and then usually goes to sleep on his own.
This summer Steve went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and covered several basketball tournaments. During his time away Ethan and I traveled home to the Hampton Roads area where we were able to spend sometime with family. Ethan loved going to the pool, playing at grandma's house, and chasing the cats! We also spent a few days at aunt Shirley's house in Chesterfield where we went to the park and the local Children's Museum.
I am so thankful to the Lord everyday for His grace and comfort during pregnancy. Of course, I have good days and bad days, but each day is truly a blessing and we are so thankful for this new life He has given us.
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| Baby #2 |
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| Baby Sister! |
Ethan is a walking, running, energetic toddler. Right now he is 21 months old and He says new word everyday. Seriously, its awesome. I am enjoying everyday with him.. even though some days its mostly tantrums all day. He definitely has a will and is not afraid to express it! Ethan is also a great eater and eats almost everything we put in front of him. His favorite foods are peaches, bananas, strawberries, corn, peas, blueberries, muffins, and donuts (I know, I know, but every mom has her weakness). Sometimes on Saturdays Steve goes to our favorite local donut shop (where sometimes you stand in line for 30-45 minutes) and when he comes home with the bag (or box if we got a lot) Ethan gets super excited!!
This summer we also decided to sleep train Ethan. While it has been a long, hard road, it has paid off with a child who finally sleeps through the night (11-12 hours) and goes down fairly easy. This was not what I would call my ideal.. but I knew it was the only way for him to learn. After almost two months he cries for a minute or two and then usually goes to sleep on his own.
This summer Steve went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and covered several basketball tournaments. During his time away Ethan and I traveled home to the Hampton Roads area where we were able to spend sometime with family. Ethan loved going to the pool, playing at grandma's house, and chasing the cats! We also spent a few days at aunt Shirley's house in Chesterfield where we went to the park and the local Children's Museum.
I am so thankful to the Lord everyday for His grace and comfort during pregnancy. Of course, I have good days and bad days, but each day is truly a blessing and we are so thankful for this new life He has given us.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Meatloaf Recipe
This is not a food blog.. there will be no pictures of me baking or the finished product. But today I wanted to share our meatloaf recipe. We've made this and enjoyed this with so many of our friends that I thought I would post the recipe here.. so that anyone who wants the recipe has a place on the Internet to reference back too.
This recipe is from Steve's mom.. who got it from her mom.. who may have even gotten it from her mom. It is our "go to" meatloaf and really the only one we make.
If you asked Steve what he wanted for his last meal, this might make the top 5. He LOVES it. The first year we were married I emailed his mother and got this recipe and made it for his birthday as a special surprise (it was the first recipe I got from his mom and started making). Now that I am home it is a meal we make at least once a month.
Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Turkey
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 lb. Ground Pork
1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix (Lipton)
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Curry Powder
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs (but I've been known to use Italian)
1 Onion Sliced
About 1 Cup BBQ Sauce
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Oregano
Directions:
1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the Turkey, Beef, Pork, Onion Soup Mix, Egg, Curry Powder, Ketchup, and Bread Crumbs together. Form into a loaf.
3. Put about half of the sliced Onion on the bottom of your pan of choice. I use a Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker, But if you don't have a good deep pan with a lid, just use a big baking dish cover with tin foil (you can also line the pan with tin foil to help with clean up). Just try and keep the tin foil from touching the top (to help with the crust).
4. Put the meatloaf you formed on top of the onion. Placed the other half of the onion on the top of the meatloaf. Top with BBQ Sauce, the Parmesan Cheese, and then Oregano. We just sprinkle a very generous amount of each.
5. If you use foil make sure bottom, sides, and top are covered with foil completely.
6. Bake at 350 for 3 hours. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Tip: To help get a nice crust we like to drain any grease after 1.5 hour, and add more BBQ sauce to the top at that time. It also depends on the fat content of the meat you use. If you use all very lean meat there will not be very much grease draining out.
I hope you enjoy this recipe!
This recipe is from Steve's mom.. who got it from her mom.. who may have even gotten it from her mom. It is our "go to" meatloaf and really the only one we make.
If you asked Steve what he wanted for his last meal, this might make the top 5. He LOVES it. The first year we were married I emailed his mother and got this recipe and made it for his birthday as a special surprise (it was the first recipe I got from his mom and started making). Now that I am home it is a meal we make at least once a month.
Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Turkey
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 lb. Ground Pork
1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix (Lipton)
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Curry Powder
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs (but I've been known to use Italian)
1 Onion Sliced
About 1 Cup BBQ Sauce
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Oregano
Directions:
1. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the Turkey, Beef, Pork, Onion Soup Mix, Egg, Curry Powder, Ketchup, and Bread Crumbs together. Form into a loaf.
3. Put about half of the sliced Onion on the bottom of your pan of choice. I use a Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker, But if you don't have a good deep pan with a lid, just use a big baking dish cover with tin foil (you can also line the pan with tin foil to help with clean up). Just try and keep the tin foil from touching the top (to help with the crust).
4. Put the meatloaf you formed on top of the onion. Placed the other half of the onion on the top of the meatloaf. Top with BBQ Sauce, the Parmesan Cheese, and then Oregano. We just sprinkle a very generous amount of each.
5. If you use foil make sure bottom, sides, and top are covered with foil completely.
6. Bake at 350 for 3 hours. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Tip: To help get a nice crust we like to drain any grease after 1.5 hour, and add more BBQ sauce to the top at that time. It also depends on the fat content of the meat you use. If you use all very lean meat there will not be very much grease draining out.
I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Easter
Yesterday Ethan turned 17 months old.. and today I found another tooth!! This one is further back in his mouth.. good news is sleep has been okay the last week though he has been more cranky and tired during the day.
This winter we've had several snow storms.. including some snow yesterday!! yesterdays was a sleet/snow/ice mixture and melted very quickly, but it was very strange to watch it fall from the sky.
Ethan says hi and waves hello and good bye very well.
He can sign a few words. Eat, Nurse, Please, and More are his favorites. He can follow simple directions and loves to help around the house. He can help unload the dishwasher (clean or dirty ;), he can put his dirty clothes away, "help" clean up toys, and loves to pretend to wipe the floor and furniture.
He is currently in size 24 months, and 2T clothing!
The last weight we got was for his 15 month check up he was 26 pounds.
Last week we celebrated Easter.. Ethan had his first Easter Egg Hunt and we went to church on Sunday. At LU Monday after Easter is a holiday for staff so Steve had Monday off.. it was a very nice time together has a family.
Here are some recent pictures
This winter we've had several snow storms.. including some snow yesterday!! yesterdays was a sleet/snow/ice mixture and melted very quickly, but it was very strange to watch it fall from the sky.
Ethan says hi and waves hello and good bye very well.
He can sign a few words. Eat, Nurse, Please, and More are his favorites. He can follow simple directions and loves to help around the house. He can help unload the dishwasher (clean or dirty ;), he can put his dirty clothes away, "help" clean up toys, and loves to pretend to wipe the floor and furniture.
He is currently in size 24 months, and 2T clothing!
The last weight we got was for his 15 month check up he was 26 pounds.
Last week we celebrated Easter.. Ethan had his first Easter Egg Hunt and we went to church on Sunday. At LU Monday after Easter is a holiday for staff so Steve had Monday off.. it was a very nice time together has a family.
Here are some recent pictures
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Christmas
I could probably do 3 or 4 post about Christmas, but knowing me I will start with a part 1 and never get to parts 2, 3, and 4.. so here is some and there maybe more later, or there may not.. just depends on me, time, and what else happens over the next few days. With a toddler in the house (still adjusting to using that adjective) you never know what will happen!
We left for Hampton the Saturday before Christmas. On Sunday we celebrated with my immediate family (we pretended it was Christmas day.. ate a late breakfast, then a lunch, then opened presents). Christmas Eve we celebrated with Steve's family. The downside to the week was Steve's work schedule, so he had to leave to drive back to Lynchburg Christmas day, while Ethan and I stayed with my family for the rest of the week. Steve drove back to Hampton Friday evening, and we celebrated Christmas with my extended family the Saturday before New Years. Then we drove back to Lynchburg Sunday morning.
We left for Hampton the Saturday before Christmas. On Sunday we celebrated with my immediate family (we pretended it was Christmas day.. ate a late breakfast, then a lunch, then opened presents). Christmas Eve we celebrated with Steve's family. The downside to the week was Steve's work schedule, so he had to leave to drive back to Lynchburg Christmas day, while Ethan and I stayed with my family for the rest of the week. Steve drove back to Hampton Friday evening, and we celebrated Christmas with my extended family the Saturday before New Years. Then we drove back to Lynchburg Sunday morning.
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| At Church on Christmas Eve |
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Ethan is a "Toddler"
Sorry for the absence over the last month. Christmas took over in a major way this year.. and keeping up with Ethan is keeping me busier than ever! Now that the holidays are officially over (so sad) I thought I should do some blog updates.. I hope to be able to do several updates over the next few weeks including pictures and fun times from Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But first the most exciting thing happened while we were home for Christmas.. Ethan began walking. When I say walking I mean, more than 4 or 5 consecutive steps with no support!! He has been taking 2 or 3 steps on his own at a time, but never more than a foot or two in traveling distant.. one day while home my mother was watching and she comes running.. "Jen, Jen, you missed it.. Ethan just walked across the room!!!" That was Thursday and in the next day it became a constant part of his movement.. now he does it all the time everyday.. so I guess he is officially a walker. Like all his milestones everything seemed to click all at once and he got it. After less than a week its already becoming "normal" (but its still exciting every time.. for now).
It is so exciting to watch him explore the world around him and accomplish new skills. This stage is so exciting, exhausting, and becoming more challenging with each day.
We are officially in toddlerhood.. ahhhh.. so scary for a first time mom. So thankful I have the Lord walking with me during each new stage to give me wisdom and comfort in my time of need.
But first the most exciting thing happened while we were home for Christmas.. Ethan began walking. When I say walking I mean, more than 4 or 5 consecutive steps with no support!! He has been taking 2 or 3 steps on his own at a time, but never more than a foot or two in traveling distant.. one day while home my mother was watching and she comes running.. "Jen, Jen, you missed it.. Ethan just walked across the room!!!" That was Thursday and in the next day it became a constant part of his movement.. now he does it all the time everyday.. so I guess he is officially a walker. Like all his milestones everything seemed to click all at once and he got it. After less than a week its already becoming "normal" (but its still exciting every time.. for now).
It is so exciting to watch him explore the world around him and accomplish new skills. This stage is so exciting, exhausting, and becoming more challenging with each day.
We are officially in toddlerhood.. ahhhh.. so scary for a first time mom. So thankful I have the Lord walking with me during each new stage to give me wisdom and comfort in my time of need.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Greatest Lesson of Motherhood
We all make mistakes. We all speak, think, and do things we are embarrassed about or were not a part of us. We are all sinners in need of savior. A fact which has become more clear each day of motherhood. Since becoming a mom it seems the list of "things to work on" has grown (or maybe its not that I do more wrong, just that I am more aware of it). There is now a whole new area of my life in which I can make mistakes, and a new person it affects.
The first few months of Ethan's life really are a blur to me.. a mix of depression, happiness, sleep deprivation hormones gone crazy, and life changing months.. (strange that something so life changing in hindsight is so hard to remember).
The happiness and lack of sleep are things I have covered in depth on the blog. For a moment, as I reflect back on this past year, I want to share a bit of my story which isn't so pretty and so neatly packaged. It has a bit more reality and little less neatness. Life is messy. Life is hard. Life is challenging. In those moments I become increasingly aware of the areas I fall short, and with that am reminded ever more of my need for Christ in my life.
In the early weeks of Ethan's life I had many nights when I would cry for no reason, be angry over something insignificant (though at the time it was my world.. ).. as the weeks passed the hormone craziness got less, but the overall depression got worse. Part of me hesitates to call it "depression".. I was still eating, sleeping, and functioning (as much as a new mom can). But when a friend came over and asked me, "Jen, when was the last time you left the house?" I knew I was in deep.. at that time Ethan was about 7 weeks old and we had taken to spending a lot of time on the couch.. in all honestly I think for about a week I only left the couch to do basic things (and at that time I still wasn't showering everyday). That was my "low" point.. I felt trapped.. that if I didn't make a change I might still be living on that couch when Ethan was year. (In my mind I knew eventually things would change.. but in my heart I knew I had to start that change). It started small.. leaving the house with Ethan but without my husband. At the time this was a huge deal for me.. I had somehow managed to go 7 weeks without doing this.
Looking back I know that it was not me who "made the change". It was the Lord working through those around me to encourage me. Even in my low points He never stopped pursing me. Do I consistently pursue God? Definitely No.. Does he consistently pursue me? Absolutely Yes. Even when I feel far from Him, or I have made mistakes, or I have intentionally distanced myself from Him.. He is faithful and He continues to pursue me. What grace He has shown to me.
One person He used over and over and over was my husband, Steve. He continually preached the Gospel to me.. even at 3am or 4am or 5am.. when he had a long work day coming (and I would be napping with the baby) Steve would get up and encourage me.. through prayer, reading of God's word, or just making sure I was okay. He also pushed me to stay connected to friends (and not just in "virtual" online world, but through in person spending time together). He knew that I needed support from others, even if I didn't. Looking back, it was God working through Steve.
As we approach Thanksgiving.. I am ever thankful for Salvation through Christ whose love covers a multitude of sins, and for a God who continues to pursue me everyday.
The first few months of Ethan's life really are a blur to me.. a mix of depression, happiness, sleep deprivation hormones gone crazy, and life changing months.. (strange that something so life changing in hindsight is so hard to remember).
The happiness and lack of sleep are things I have covered in depth on the blog. For a moment, as I reflect back on this past year, I want to share a bit of my story which isn't so pretty and so neatly packaged. It has a bit more reality and little less neatness. Life is messy. Life is hard. Life is challenging. In those moments I become increasingly aware of the areas I fall short, and with that am reminded ever more of my need for Christ in my life.
In the early weeks of Ethan's life I had many nights when I would cry for no reason, be angry over something insignificant (though at the time it was my world.. ).. as the weeks passed the hormone craziness got less, but the overall depression got worse. Part of me hesitates to call it "depression".. I was still eating, sleeping, and functioning (as much as a new mom can). But when a friend came over and asked me, "Jen, when was the last time you left the house?" I knew I was in deep.. at that time Ethan was about 7 weeks old and we had taken to spending a lot of time on the couch.. in all honestly I think for about a week I only left the couch to do basic things (and at that time I still wasn't showering everyday). That was my "low" point.. I felt trapped.. that if I didn't make a change I might still be living on that couch when Ethan was year. (In my mind I knew eventually things would change.. but in my heart I knew I had to start that change). It started small.. leaving the house with Ethan but without my husband. At the time this was a huge deal for me.. I had somehow managed to go 7 weeks without doing this.
Looking back I know that it was not me who "made the change". It was the Lord working through those around me to encourage me. Even in my low points He never stopped pursing me. Do I consistently pursue God? Definitely No.. Does he consistently pursue me? Absolutely Yes. Even when I feel far from Him, or I have made mistakes, or I have intentionally distanced myself from Him.. He is faithful and He continues to pursue me. What grace He has shown to me.
One person He used over and over and over was my husband, Steve. He continually preached the Gospel to me.. even at 3am or 4am or 5am.. when he had a long work day coming (and I would be napping with the baby) Steve would get up and encourage me.. through prayer, reading of God's word, or just making sure I was okay. He also pushed me to stay connected to friends (and not just in "virtual" online world, but through in person spending time together). He knew that I needed support from others, even if I didn't. Looking back, it was God working through Steve.
As we approach Thanksgiving.. I am ever thankful for Salvation through Christ whose love covers a multitude of sins, and for a God who continues to pursue me everyday.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
1st Birthday - Lynchburg
Its taken two weeks but I am finally ready to blog Ethan's first birthday party in Lynchburg..
Location: Our church old fellowship hall which also has an indoor small play area for young kids plus the youth room which has a nice area to put the food.
People: Friends from church and their children.
Theme: Football!!
We decided to have the party start at 11am.. we arrived at the church around 930 to begin set up which took the whole hour and half. Our friend Nancy Williams came to help us (mostly help with Ethan)
Here she is with him shortly after we finished setup..
First we ate, then we opened presents (we being Jen with Ethan near by but not very interested).. we got several great toys including puzzles and books!
Nancy made Ethan a hat.. here is he modeling it.. he loves being the center of attention.
Overall it was great Saturday celebrating Ethan and his first year of life.. can not believe how far we have come and how much the Lord has blessed us this past year.
Location: Our church old fellowship hall which also has an indoor small play area for young kids plus the youth room which has a nice area to put the food.
People: Friends from church and their children.
Theme: Football!!
We decided to have the party start at 11am.. we arrived at the church around 930 to begin set up which took the whole hour and half. Our friend Nancy Williams came to help us (mostly help with Ethan)
Here she is with him shortly after we finished setup..
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| Food Area |
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| Cake and Presents |
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| Ethan playing with Parker |
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| Steve taking a moment to relax.. it was just for a quick moment.. he worked very hard before, during, and after the party. |
Nancy made Ethan a hat.. here is he modeling it.. he loves being the center of attention.
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| We order the cake from Chestnut Hill Bakery.. I told them football was the theme and this is what I got! LOVED it.. and it tasted very good. |
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| We did smash "peice" instead of his own cake.. easier clean up for mom and dad.. |
Overall it was great Saturday celebrating Ethan and his first year of life.. can not believe how far we have come and how much the Lord has blessed us this past year.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Blocks
This video is from October 31st.. Ethan learned to stack his cups that day.. he does it so well now, but this is him in discovery mode (which I LOVE).. you also see that pride coming through as he looks for praise and gets excited by what he has learned.
Monday, November 12, 2012
1 Year 11.4.12
His birthday was last week.. I've just been blog lazy..
Forgot to get my real camera out the actual day of Ethan's birthday.. so here are some quick shots I took at the dinner table with the Ipad.. So these were taken on 11.4.12.. 366 days old (leap year).. 366 nights of waking/feeding/changing.. (he has only slept through the night off and on.. never consistently) and 366 days of nursing (we made it a whole year with zero formula.. which was a major goal of mine).. 366 days of love filled mornings.. wouldn't trade a single one..
We are blessed to have Ethan in our lives and we thank God each day for the health He has given us. We pray that someday the Holy Spirit would work in Ethan's heart that he would understand his need for a Savior and accept the sacrifice made for him on the cross.
What a joy and a blessing it is on my heart to have God mold and shape me through this calling of motherhood.
Haircut
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| Before meet After
Ethan had a little extra hair in the back.. so we decided it was time to get it cut off! I had a haircut for me and convinced my stylist to give him a trim in the back. They had a kid sized wrap they put around him and she sprayed a little water on his head and cut it with scissors and then even used the razor for the very bottom. He sat on my lap and only cried for a second at the very end. Now he looks like such a little boy from behind :(
(Photo from Ipad)
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Sunday, November 11, 2012
Hampton Fun
In late October we went home to Hampton for Ethan's Birthday.. we were blessed to be able to spend a few extra days there and Ethan had fun playing and eating at both grandparent's houses.
This is at Steve's parents house.. of course, he needs every toy.. he loves playing at his grandparents.
At my parent's house my mom made us blueberry pancakes one morning.. Ethan LOVED them!
Break over.. back to life!
"And now back to our regularly scheduled program, already in progress"
That about sums up my life for the last 3 to 4 weeks.. wow, what a crazy, exhausting, busy, and overwhelming month it has been. We've had many ups and downs and many milestones reached. Time is flying!
On October 20th we took Ethan to his first apple festival.. he LOVED it!
On October 27th we celebrated his 1st Birthday in Hampton, VA with family and friends.
On November 3rd we celebrated his 1st Birthday in Lynchburg, VA with friends.
On November 10th we attended a 1st Birthday party for another boy at church and a baby shower!
Mixed in there we had a few sicknesses, a first haircut, new foods, and other random daily things.
I have a ton of pictures and stories to share from things that have happened so I will probably do several blog posts over the next week to help recap some exciting times!
That about sums up my life for the last 3 to 4 weeks.. wow, what a crazy, exhausting, busy, and overwhelming month it has been. We've had many ups and downs and many milestones reached. Time is flying!
On October 20th we took Ethan to his first apple festival.. he LOVED it!
On October 27th we celebrated his 1st Birthday in Hampton, VA with family and friends.
On November 3rd we celebrated his 1st Birthday in Lynchburg, VA with friends.
On November 10th we attended a 1st Birthday party for another boy at church and a baby shower!
Mixed in there we had a few sicknesses, a first haircut, new foods, and other random daily things.
I have a ton of pictures and stories to share from things that have happened so I will probably do several blog posts over the next week to help recap some exciting times!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Ethan Loves his Daddy
What is our (Jen and Ethan's) favorite moment of each day? When Steve comes home!
This video is of Ethan standing at our window in our living room.. from this window he can Steve pull into our parking space in front of our townhome. We've watched him do this so many times that as soon as Ethan sees that blue car he knows its HIS Daddy and he squels and laughs with delight each time. I caught it on video one afternoon last week.
This video is of Ethan standing at our window in our living room.. from this window he can Steve pull into our parking space in front of our townhome. We've watched him do this so many times that as soon as Ethan sees that blue car he knows its HIS Daddy and he squels and laughs with delight each time. I caught it on video one afternoon last week.
Ethan at the Dinner Table
We love to let Ethan feed himself. He is great at it and we know it is great for a baby's development. So what this means is dinner time = fun time! I took this video monday night after dinner.
On a completely unrelated note.. Ethan started running a fever Tuesday night and today we took him to the doctor. Turns out he had a slight ear infection (the doctor said about a 4 on a scale of 1 to 10). So we have antibiotics and are hoping he will be back to normal soon!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
11 Month Old
Sunday, October 7, 2012
First {Live} Football Game
This past Saturday Liberty University celebrated homecoming. With Steve and I both being LU alumni we love LU football - especially homecoming. With no other commitments this weekend it was a great opportunity to introduce Ethan to Flames Football (LU is known as the Liberty Flames.. don't ask why, just go with it). Our church also had their annual pre game tailgate party, and since we are baptist you know that this means good food and good fellowship with some great families.
Shortley after we arrived the band started preparing to lead the "big" parade.. it wasn't very big but it was fun.
Eating at the tailgate.. this kid loves to eat! He feeds himself really well and now I can put food in his tray area on the stroller and he sits up or pulls himself up and eats it!
Shortley after we arrived the band started preparing to lead the "big" parade.. it wasn't very big but it was fun.
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| He was mesmorized and I was in marching band heaven (I played in a marching band for 6 falls in a row - 4 HS, 2 JMU) |
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| Right after the parade.. so far he is really enjoying the day. |
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| Yes, my son was wearing LU socks. |
Eating at the tailgate.. this kid loves to eat! He feeds himself really well and now I can put food in his tray area on the stroller and he sits up or pulls himself up and eats it! |
Fascinated by the game - right after kick off. |
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| After Half time.. going strong. |
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| He started to get tired during the 3rd quarter... Luckily he had the perfect pillow.. his father :) |
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Friday, October 5, 2012
11 Months
The nights are long, but the days are short.
Someone told me this when Ethan was a baby (not sure who, if it was you, please comment below and take credit :). As my little baby grows each day and moves closer to that one year mark, this statement becomes ever true. Yes, my baby does not sleep through the night. No, we have not done cry it out. But that issue is for another post. I just want to encourage other moms whose babies night time habits are inconsistent, that this is normal. They are babies. Stop setting unrealistic expectations. You are normal.
Now that I am off of my soap box, lets move on to days.
Ethan becomes more toddler and less baby everyday. He is into everything and definitely expresses his feelings. This is exciting, terrifying, exhausting, and sad all at the same time. Part of me wants him to stay little forever, but I know this cannot happen and it will be better for everyone for me to accept this fact of life and keep us moving forward. But at night, when we are all alone in his room and he is sleeping peacefully in my arms I love to kiss his little head and thank God for this precious gift He has blessed us with. An amazing, challenging, sanctifying blessing.
He can easily cruise around our living room while standing on his tippy toes to reach something. He can open a cracked door with ease. He can sit and through a tantrum when you take the item he wanted away from him.
His favorite thing in the world is his father. I hope to post a video soon of his reaction to Steve when Steve came home from work the other day. He gets very excited when he hears or sees his daddy at the end of the day.
His least favorite thing is getting dressed and having his face wiped after a meal.
He loves solids and feeds himself easily and daily.
His favorite foods are fruits, but he also loves green beans.
We are beginning to plan his birthday with a celebration in Hampton on October 27th and a party in Lynchburg on November 3rd. We are excited for the next phase, and enjoying these last days of babyhood.
Someone told me this when Ethan was a baby (not sure who, if it was you, please comment below and take credit :). As my little baby grows each day and moves closer to that one year mark, this statement becomes ever true. Yes, my baby does not sleep through the night. No, we have not done cry it out. But that issue is for another post. I just want to encourage other moms whose babies night time habits are inconsistent, that this is normal. They are babies. Stop setting unrealistic expectations. You are normal.
Now that I am off of my soap box, lets move on to days.
Ethan becomes more toddler and less baby everyday. He is into everything and definitely expresses his feelings. This is exciting, terrifying, exhausting, and sad all at the same time. Part of me wants him to stay little forever, but I know this cannot happen and it will be better for everyone for me to accept this fact of life and keep us moving forward. But at night, when we are all alone in his room and he is sleeping peacefully in my arms I love to kiss his little head and thank God for this precious gift He has blessed us with. An amazing, challenging, sanctifying blessing.
He can easily cruise around our living room while standing on his tippy toes to reach something. He can open a cracked door with ease. He can sit and through a tantrum when you take the item he wanted away from him.
His favorite thing in the world is his father. I hope to post a video soon of his reaction to Steve when Steve came home from work the other day. He gets very excited when he hears or sees his daddy at the end of the day.
His least favorite thing is getting dressed and having his face wiped after a meal.
He loves solids and feeds himself easily and daily.
His favorite foods are fruits, but he also loves green beans.
We are beginning to plan his birthday with a celebration in Hampton on October 27th and a party in Lynchburg on November 3rd. We are excited for the next phase, and enjoying these last days of babyhood.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Family Portraits
Its fall in Lynchburg.. and here for many families that means it is time to get some good photos taken. Since we have not taken any professional shots since Ethan was born we decided to make it happen before he turned a year. And one of the great things about being a stay at home mom is that I get to plug into all kinds of mommy groups in our area - and at the same time I met a very talented photographer whose pictures I fell in love with. The lighting, the crisp editing, the way she makes everyone look beautiful.. so when we were thinking of getting pictures done I instantly thought of her. (That and she has warm friendly personality so I knew we would be very comfortable around her). She took some pictures for us last weekend and today we are on her blog! I am very excited to get these printed and displayed in our home.
If you like these photos maybe you should consider hiring Liz for your next photo needs in Lynchburg.. we loved her and will certainly use her again in the future.
Here is a link to the blog: Sincerely Liz, Inc.
Keep in mind that all her work is copyrighted as this is the primary way she supports her family. Please respect that and do not copy or reproduce any of our photos. If you would like any for printing please contact Liz or me and we will help you.
If you like these photos maybe you should consider hiring Liz for your next photo needs in Lynchburg.. we loved her and will certainly use her again in the future.
Here is a link to the blog: Sincerely Liz, Inc.
Keep in mind that all her work is copyrighted as this is the primary way she supports her family. Please respect that and do not copy or reproduce any of our photos. If you would like any for printing please contact Liz or me and we will help you.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Crawling and "talking"
Great news.. I think I have mastered posting videos to the blog from ipad! So here is another short clip of Ethan crawling across our living room floor and then "talking".. imagine this type of behavior all day, over and over.. and that is my usual day :) I LOVE it!
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