Pool Time

We finally got a little pool for Ethan to play in since it has been getting hotter. He loves getting in and out of it and splashing in it but he's not a fan of actually sitting in it. Jellybean just thinks it's a really big water bowl and likes to drink out of it. Here are a few pictures of the first time we got it out.

Warmer Days are Finally Here

The first warm day we had, we headed out to the park. Ethan LOVES going down the slide. He climbs up the steps to the slide (with help), sits down, slides down, gets up, runs back to the stairs, and does it all over again. He will do this for as long as you let him.

Taking a break

After sliding we went swinging. He likes to go high and look down at the ground. He just smiles and giggles the whole time.

After swinging on the baby swings we tried the big swings. He really liked it and got pretty comfortable swinging on mommy's lap.

He got so comfortable that he fell completely asleep. We had to wake him up to put him back in the stroller. Of course, he never went back to sleep when we went home for a nap after his short power nap on the swings.

Snow Fun in Ohio

Back in the first week of March, Ethan went to spend the week in Ohio. There was still a lot of snow on the ground so he spent a lot of time outside with Grandma and Grandpa Crowder. He got to walk back in the woods, go sledding, and make snow angels. Here's a few of the pictures they took.

Making snow angles

Walking with Grandpa through the woods

Looking at the creek

Getting pulled through the woods on the sled

Walking through the snow

Time to go sledding!

PB and J

Ethan's very first peanut butter and jelly sandwich was a success. He LOVED it. However, afterwards we had to completely strip him down and give him a bath. I have no idea how he got it in the places he had it in!

Warning: Contains Nudity

This is what I was greeted with when I came home from work one day. Just thought I'd share.

Video Games Already??

I fear that Ethan is truly becoming a boy. When Ethan sees Jonathan playing video games, he now crawls up next to him on the couch and plays with a controller that Jonathan has taken the batteries out of. He will intently watch Jonathan to see what he is doing with his controller and try to mimic him. After I took this picture, Ethan saw Jonathan moving the joystick with his thumb, so he put his thumb on the joystick and started moving it. He then looked up at the tv to see what he was making it do.

Better Family Pictures

Since I HATED the last family pictures that we took, when a great deal at The Picture People came along, I took it. I had us go back for more pictures, much to the chagrin of both Jonathan and Ethan. However, when they were done, even Jonathan admitted that they were MUCH better than the ones we took this summer. We got several poses taken but since The Picture People changed their website around, I can no longer copy and paste the pictures so I just scanned in the couple of poses that we bought.

Walking...For Real!!

Okay, awhile ago I posted that Ethan was kinda walking. He was walking with the walker/push thing. Well, he is now officially walking! Actually, he's been walking for a while now I just haven't had time to post. I'm kinda playing catch-up right now. Christmas Eve was when he really took his first official steps for Jonathan and me. We tried to get video of it but he wouldn't do it whenever we had the camera on him. Of course, as soon as we turned it off he would take several steps. After that, he quickly progressed. Well here is a video of him playing with one of his favorite toys, a water jug.

Fun Times Ahead

After all the excitement of Christmas was over, we came home and Ethan (and Daddy) got to really start playing with all the new toys. One of his favorites was a toy that shoots balls out of the top. At first he just watched intently as Daddy pushed the button to start it and the balls flew out. However, he has since learned how to push the button, how to get the balls before they fly out, how to put the balls back in, and most importantly, he has learned that other things fit inside the tube that shoots the balls out.

Ethan and Daddy also enjoyed playing with the boxes that the toys came in.

Our First Christmas as a Family of Three

It was so exciting to celebrate our first REAL Christmas together as a family. Last Christmas was not so Christmascy with having just moved 5 days prior to Christmas, so our house was full of boxes. This year our house was put together and we were able to actually decorate. However, the real reason this Christmas was 100% better was that Ethan was able to join us at home this year. Last year, Ethan was still in the hospital inside his little isolette. So, technically Ethan's first Christmas was last year, but this year was his first REAL Christmas and we celebrated it like it was his first one. We did a quiet family celebration on Christmas Eve. Jonathan read the Christmas story while I acted it out for Ethan with his Little People Nativity set. We then ate pizza and then opened gifts. I think Ethan made out the best in the gift department.

Daddy built a tower with Ethan's new blocks ...

... and Ethan knocked it over so they worked on building one together

Ethan in his Christmas pjs, lounging in his new beanbag with his See n' Say

After our private celebration on Christmas Eve, we all went to Grandma and Grandpa Strong's house to celebrate. Again, I think for every one present the rest of us got, Ethan got 3. However, even though he had so many presents he really wasn't interested in opening the wrapped ones. He only liked taking the paper out of the bags.

Ethan walked around with this bow on his head the whole time.

Our Christmas gift!

Then, the Sunday after Christmas, we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Crowder's in Ohio to stay for the week. Ethan loved playing with their huge dog, Duke and crawling all over the place. I should have taken a picture of our car on the way home. I don't know how we fit in that car what with all our luggage, the gifts, things we bought at the outlets, and the leftover food. I had to ride with Ethan's stroller in my lap!

Everyone before the Christmas dinner

Ethan's all ready to eat

Goofing off after dinner

Jellybean even got a new coat!

A Celebration of Ethan!

On Dec. 5 we invited family and friends over to our house to celebrate Ethan's birthday party. We grilled burgers and hot dogs, ate a lot of food, and talked to a lot of good friends. It was quite the party! Ethan had fun playing with new and old friends, eating (and throwing up) his soccer ball cake, and getting new toys. Here's a few pictures to commemorate the day.

Blowing out the candle

Group shot

"What do you want me to do with this?"

"I guess this isn't too bad"

Two of my best friends and their babies.

(We were all pregnant together with our firsts.)

Here are a couple of the best shots we could get with 3 very mobile babies.

Working on opening a present

Checking out his new toys

He LOVES his Lightning McQueen car

Ethan enjoying a cruise in his car