I Don't Want to Forget

*  Ethan can point out eyes.  Yours and the eyes on stuffed animals.

*  When Chris plays "Bug Song" on his cell, Ethan starts to sing "da da da da da."  Too cute!

*  When Ethan wakes up in the morning, he continuously calls for "mamamamama" until I come in the room.

*  Weight Watchers pumpkin muffins are DELICIOUS!  Not only do they taste wonderful but the house smells perfect.

Curious

A sharp eye gazes on the minuscule object as it snails across the living room carpet.  Godzilla's paw pounces upon the tiny creature.  Passing back and forth between furry hands.  Nudged with the cold, wet nose of a much bigger being.  She only wants to play but she soon learns the very difficult lesson of life's fragility.  Maggie's little bug friend has roamed its last few inches on this earth.

My Baby You'll Be

Tonight I was struck with the rare opportunity to rock my sweet baby boy to sleep.  The eyes that typically drift slowly to sleep refused to nod off tonight.  Feet kicked, arms flailed, and little beady eyes stared at the window as the sun drifted below the horizon.  As the nursing session commenced, rather than remain asleep like usual, darling "dah dah dah"s and "blah blah blah"s filled the silent night.  This tiny toddler body crawled up my torso, rested his head in the crook of my arm, and wrapped those long longs around my abdomen.  I was overcome with memories of those early months when my itty bitty infant needed Mommy in order to fall asleep.  My finger tips that used to grasp the bottoms of tiny newborn feet, patted the padded diaper of a growing toddler.  I remember so easily how his entire little body would fit snugly inside the length of my arm.  Tonight I am reminded of these words from one of my favorite baby books, Love You Forever: 


"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

11 Months

Here I thought you were a big boy last month.  How wrong was I?!  I absolutely cannot believe the advancements you've made in just four short weeks.

You went to the doctor after your stair accident on Friday and you now weigh 21 lbs. 2 oz.

Thank goodness your sleep habits returned to normal this month.  You have not been waking up in the middle of the night which has made everyone so much happier.  You tend to fall asleep at 7:30 and sleep until 6:30 or so.  Most mornings you wake up on your own before we're ready for you but Daddy hangs with you for awhile until Mommy can tend to you.

You now drink milk 4x per day.  You take (2) 8oz. bottles during the week.  Mommy hasn't been able to get as much milk as you need so we've started to supplement formula just until the doctor ok's whole milk at your 1 year appointment.

You are back to taking fairly typical naps this month.  You take one nap in the morning, one in the afternoon, and sometimes a short cat nap on the drive home.

You now wear size 12 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and size 3 shoe.  Yes, we now factor in shoe size :)

I can't believe the new skills you've been practicing.  You cruise around furniture, walls, and even an occasional dog or two.  The biggest advance of the month, however, is that you can WALK!!!!  You took your first steps just last week and can now take up to seven steps at a time.  It's so exciting, we can't help but celebrate.  You get such a huge smile on your face and clap right along with us.

You've also learned how to sign milk.  A few weeks ago, at nap time, you climbed up my legs and started pumping your little hand.  Now we all know we can expect to see you "ask" for milk when it's time for a nap.  I also think you've been attempting to sign dog but instead of patting your thigh, you end up patting your belly.  Most of the time you accompany it with a "duh duh" sound.  Could dog possibly be your first real word?

You visited your very first pumpkin patch on Sunday when we visited Shaw's Farm.  Although it was extremely hot for October (85 degrees) you still had a great time.  You were even introduced to a few new animal friends.  The pumpkin you chose is so itty bitty and cute.  I'm so impressed with your paint job.

Daddy set up the drums in the living room and you absolutely LOVE spending time playing them with Daddy.  Almost every day you crawl up to the gate surrounding the drums and cry until we let you play for a bit.  I see another drummer in our future.

We look forward to this next month with you and can't believe we'll soon be celebrating your 1st birthday!!!

Mommy and Daddy love you, Ethan!

Ethan Walks!!!!

Ethan took 3 steps all by himself last night!!!!  We were all hanging out in Ethan's room just before bedtime.  He was practicing his skills by hanging on to the music table.  I decided to hold out my hands and cheer him on.  Ethan's little face went serious as he contemplated his next move.  Left foot in front of right, he walked into my arms using three little steps!  We were all so excited, clapping and cheering.  Even Ethan clapped for himself! 


*****I'll try to get video of it very soon and post it here.

Things I Don't Want to Forget

*  For the past two weeks, Ethan has consistently signed the word "milk."  When he's sleepy, he'll crawl up to your legs and squeeze his little fingers together as if he's saying "please give me milk and let me go for a nap."  If you simply say the word milk, he starts to sign it.

*  I also think Ethan is starting to sign "dog."  Twice tonight he started slapping his chest and saying "dah dah" after we said the word dog.

*  Ethan has stood for a few seconds all by himself and has even taken a single step forward.  After stepping he falls forward into your lap.  I think walking is the next step and it won't be too much longer.


*  E knows how to drive his push car.  He has even managed to turn the direction of the thing after knocking into a wall or two.