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.

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)


Right after the parade.. so far he is really enjoying the day.
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.
 



After Half time.. going strong.


He started to get tired during the 3rd quarter...

Luckily he had the perfect pillow.. his father :)






 

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.

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.

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! 
 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Boat Riding

 
Last Saturday our Sunday School class at church had a fun class activity at Smith Mountain Lake.  Our teacher has a lovely boat and small cabin that we all got to enjoy.  Ethan loved the boat. 
 
Answer this, whats better than a smiling baby?  A smiling baby in a life jacket!! Love this picture of us. 
 


September 19th - Video


Took this video with the ipad.. its Ethan crawling to the door and then saying hi to his daddy.. we were getting ready to go for a family walk. 

Family walks are one of our favorite evening activities.  After dinner, before its dark we love to walk around neighborhood with Ethan in the stroller. 

Monday, September 3, 2012

10 Months

Well I guess once a month updates is better than no updates...

Tomorrow Ethan turns ten months old.. that means that 5/6 of his first year will be over and in just a few weeks he will be one year old.. everyone who told me to enjoy every moment because it goes fast was right!

Here are some current stats..

He weighs over 24 lbs (probably about 24 lbs. 8oz at this point).

He is in mostly 18-24 month clothes.  He has a few 12 month that he still wears but its becoming more and more difficult.

He LOVES solids.. even bananas when they are ripe enough.  He feeds himself great (but extremely messy :)

He laughs, smiles, babbles all the time.

He can pull up and sit back down now. 

He cruises (holds onto furniture and walks).

This week he started doing my most favorite new thing.. gives kisses back.. he opens his mouth really wide and "kisses" you back when you kiss him.  It feels like he is eating your face but he gets the biggest grin and looks so proud of himself.. and it tickles the receiver.. I find it adorable.

He has two teeth (maybe a third too but they are so sharp I don't take to feeling his mouth everyday now).

Here is a picture from him swinging today.