I Don't Want to Forget

*Ethan is starting to imitate so many things we do.  During diaper changes or while sniffing his stinky feet, I'll often say "peeeeew" and wave my hand in front of my nose.  Ethan is now copying off me and doing the same thing. 

*  When playing peekabo, Ethan will cover one of his own eyes with the back of his hands and close the other.  I guess as long as he can't see you, you can't see him!

*  We're also working on blowing kisses.  When you make a loud "mmmmmmuah" sound, he covers his own mouth and then moves his hand away as if he's attempting to blow his own kisses.

*  Footed jammies are the cutest thing ever.  The temperature dropped a bit tonight making for a chilly evening.  I didn't want Ethan to get cold so out came the footed pajamas.  Reminds me of his itty bitty days not so long ago.

*  Ethan flinging his entire body backward while I tickle his belly.  This followed by the most beautiful little belly laugh a 10 month old can make.

*  On a non-Ethan related note, I don't want to forget the way copper colored leaves cover my windshield on a windy Autumn day in anticipation of a heavy downpour.

10 Months

What a big boy you are, Ethan!  You are 10 months old today!  And as a gift for being such a big boy, you got a cold and possibly an ear infection.  Yuck!  Poor kid, you were miserable today :(

You do not go to the doctor again until 1 year so we won't be able to update your stats until then.

Oh boy has this month been fun as far as sleep is concerned.  Of course, I say that in the absolute most sarcastic manner possible.  You used to be such a wonderful night time sleeper but something has changed this month.  You still sleep from 7:30 to 6:30 or so but the nights are no longer peaceful.  It all started just a few days before your 9 month birthday.  You started waking up at night, crying and needing to be fed.  On August 12th we saw you had cut 2 teeth!

Now that explained the nighttime fussiness.  Unfortunately, the middle of the night wake up calls have lasted through most of the month but you have no additional teeth to show for it.  In fact, you even woke up more than once per night on a few occasions.  My heart breaks every time I hear your little cry over the monitor.  I just want to fix whatever might be going wrong but I can't seem to find the right remedy  Here's to hoping this next month eases things up a bit.

You've had some HUGE exciting new foods this month.  You love eating waffles with fruit for breakfast and sometimes a piece of toast.  We gave you CHIPOTLE rice for the first time this month and you absolutely loved it!  The only thing that beat that out was the vanilla ice cream you tasted for the first time Labor Day weekend.  It's so exciting to see you experience all these new foods.

(I realized after taking these pictures that I had forgotten to lower the shoulder straps.  Don't worry, they've been lowered now!)

Naps have also become an issue this month.  When I'm home to nurse you to sleep, nap time tends to run smoothly.  We may only get a half hour nap out of you, but it is still a nap.  The issue is when a person other than Mommy tries to get you to nap.  You throw an absolute fit and cry endlessly for everyone else who attempts to get you to nap.  Miss Dawn has resorted to giving you a bottle in the crib and having you fall asleep while eating.  It's not ideal but until you get in a routine with her, it has to be done.  We've often has to drive you around for long periods of time just to have you get a decent nap in.  Oh how I miss your sleep.

You are still wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes but we're starting to break out some 9-12 month clothes.  You're still wearing size 4 diapers and throw a fit for diaper changes.

You are so incredibly fast while crawling now!  You love climbing on furniture and even stroll from one piece to the next.

Just a few days ago you managed to climb all the way up the stairs in our house.

We are so proud of you and love how excited you get when we cheer you on.

You are starting to point but most of the time your finger just ends up in your nose!  You also love mimicking our claps of excitement.

You attended your first Reds game but melted from the heat.  Other than that, we spent most of this past month relaxing and enjoying our time together before Mommy has to return to work.

Mommy and Daddy love you, Ethan!

Rump Shaker

Turn on the radio or a television show with music and you can always count on Ethan shaking his little rump.  The funniest part is when he crawls up to the television, places both hands on the stand, and shakes his little tush up and down like he's a little kangaroo.  If he happens to be in a high chair or car seat when one of his favorite songs comes on, better watch out for the finger point and hand clap!

It's that Time of Year...

I had my first caramel apple of the season yesterday.  While it had the slightest hint of dirt flavoring, nothing beats the gooey caramel dripping down a ripe granny smith apple.  Combine that with the 70 something degree weather, cooler breeze, and open windows and you've got the perfect recipe for fall.  Now all I have to do is break out the cinnamon and apple scented candles...Yum!