Daddy!

Now that Ethan is officially weaned, it is all about Daddy. It's like a he flipped a switch or something. One night, we did our usual routine of family hug and then Jason went to pass Ethan to me... as usual... and he refused to come to me. He only wanted Dad. So now at night, I sit on the floor while Ethan and Jason read together. Then we pray as a family and I kiss Ethan and turn out the light. And then Ethan lets his Daddy rock him to sleep. That's all the kid wants... his Daddy.

During the day, Ethan asks for Daddy about a billion times to which I reply- Daddy is at work. Ethan wakes up from nap asking for Daddy and anytime we go home from an activity, he wants to know if Daddy is there.  It's confusing to him that Daddy is home on the weekends but not during the week. It's a rough life for little Ethan- always wondering where his favorite person is. :)

I'm pretty sure Dad is eating it up. For 17 months it was all about Mommy. That's hard when you are working so hard to take care of and love someone. I'm glad it's Jason's turn. He deserves it. Plus, I needed a break.

Ethan Update

Ethan is changing so much these days! It seems like he learns so much each day. He is definitely a little sponge. He has started to babble all the time. He has been babbling for a while, but this is a whole new level of babble. He just goes on and on like he's carrying on a conversation. I have just been nodding and saying, "Tell me more about that. " Or something to make him think I understand. He can clearly say several words now-- duck, dog, ball, baby, Mommy, Dad, I do, door, and a few he's working on. He doesn't always use words to let you know what he's thinking, but it's very clear. For example, he might pick up a ball and run to the door and point at it. This means-- I want to go outside. He might push a book away and wave bye bye to it. This means- I don't want to read that one. He might run over to his high chair and point at it. This means-- I'm hungry or I want to watch Elmo. (Yes, he loves Elmo... but that is another post.)

His toys and activities are becoming more grown up as well. We recently purchased a new table and chair set for him, where he likes to color and do his puzzle. I've tried doing snack there and let's just say it was unsuccessful, we'll try again later.

He still loves his basketball goal and Dad recently helped Ethan improve his game with some visual perspective. Ethan didn't seem to notice.

He loves riding his Winnie the Pooh airplane and pushing his ball on it.

He has been throwing fewer and fewer tantrums as he learns to communicate. But when he does not get his way he sometimes bites or hits. It hasn't been the most fun part of toddlerhood for me. We're working on that too.

And the last big change is babyfood. About a month ago, I was still buying a lot of it and forcing Ethan to eat it because he was such a picky eater and I wanted to make sure he was getting enough food. The pediatrician suggested having a meal or two a day where I only offer him solid food. She said he would realize that the baby food was not coming and eat more to get full. She was right and now Ethan is eating almost no baby food. He does eat a cup of yogurt in the morning and a container of baby oatmeal or granola baby food before bed. He will only eat it if he gets his own spoon and puts the first spoonful in his mouth. Then, he will let me feed him. I am looking forward to the day when he can spoon the entire container in his mouth.

Ethan overall is doing well and keeping us busy and helping to make laughter a big part of our day.  We love him so much.

15 months

I can't believe my child is 15 months old already. Here are some cute videos from this month.

Tee ball anyone?

Toast anyone?

Do you need me to eject a cd for you?

And, who can resist a puddle?

The Great Outdoors

This last weekend, Jason and I escaped with Ethan for the weekend to the great outdoors. We found this state park that is a little over an hour away and stayed Friday and Saturday night in a cabin. We hiked, found some lakes, attended a blue grass concert, and corralled Ethan away from dangerous things. It was a good time.

First Haircut

From scraggly...

to handsome and clean cut. Thanks Jenn. I promise it's him and not you. :) One day he'll love a haircut.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Time

When I told Jason I was signing Ethan up for a gymnastics class, the response was not well received. I assured him that it was not a commitment to the sport, but just a way for Ethan to get some energy out. I have heard from other moms how great the "Peanut Butter and Jelly" class the city offers and wanted to try it out. On the first day, we arrived to find it filled with boys all around the same age running around and climbing on things. Not what Jason had expected. It has turned out to be a great class. Ethan has learned how to climb in class and now climbs on things at home. :) It was bound to happen sooner or later, right?

Here are some of Ethan's moves in class:

Climbing over the obstacle to get into the ball pit. 

He can now climb in and out of the bathtub at home.

Rolls while screaming.

Oh, yes and he runs around and climbs with a ball most of the time.

Climbing the obstacle course. 

Ethan can now climb onto some of the furniture at our house.

Mom, this is so fun! Mid scream pic.

After the last class, one of the mom's predicted that Ethan would be quite a talker once he could communicate.... because he squeals in delight during the entire class and yells "Ba!" (ball) at the top of his lungs constantly.

Story Time

Warning: The content of the post may be extremely boring to you if you do not have a small child who attends a library for story time.

Ok, can't say I didn't warn you.

Ethan and I attend story time each week in our little city. Our city has a wonderful network of libraries. You can check out something like 30 books at a time, they have lots of kid's story time classes , and they have great hours and locations. I love a good library- I worked in our school library before and after school in middle school and loved it. I would absolutely love to be a librarian or a story time person. I think those jobs seem like a lot of fun.

That being said, story time is important to me. I want Ethan to enjoy reading and since I stay home with him, going to story time is a great way to foster a love of reading. We started going to story time when he was about 7 months old. It was a crawler story time. The girl who led it was amazing. She did a great job keeping the kid's attention and picking great books for our time together. Ethan and I (mostly I) sing those songs often and have added some of her book picks to our home library.

When Ethan was able to walk and had a change in nap time, we switched our story time to the walkers class. The lady at our branch who does walkers is not that animated. She reads 2 stories and sings a few songs- while most of the kids are walking around the room not paying attention. She is a really nice lady and seems to really love the kids and doing story time. Plus, there is about 30 minutes of play time at the end that Ethan absolutely loves.

Moms talk. And many moms told me about this lady at the Gordon Ave branch who is, "just amazing!", "is really animated" ,"has funky hair", and " is really teaching my kid a lot". I had to check this out. It is free after all. So, Ethan and I went to Gordon today. We walked into this smallish room with no windows lined with chairs in the basement.... and there were about 30 kids with their moms. Not kidding. It was crazy. The lady was very high energy. She danced with the kids, read to the kids, had little name tags for the kids, blew bubbles. She was fantastic. The moms I talked with were right. She was all of the things she said and more.

The only thing is- I didn't like it as much. I can't quite explain it. The parking was awful, there were so many kids, and the class was short (although there are longer ones you can "enroll" in). I found that I like my "boring", smaller story time in a room with windows and a smaller group of kids. Where the teacher knows my face and Ethan's name, and Ethan can direct his own play during the class.

I think I will stick with my local branch and save Gordon for when Ethan is older or when we need a change. Right now, Ethan and I are happy with our story time choice.

Mom at our local library with Ethan on Halloween.

Crawlers story time at our local branch.

Naptime and Other Musings

It's funny how every stage of having a kid presents challenges. Some might argue that some stages are more challenging than others. I think the challenge we have right now is cake compared to having a teenager. :)

Our current challenge is the napping situation. Ethan is becoming unpredictable in his nap times. I used to put him down at 11 and know he would sleep for at least an hour and a half if not two. Now, he isn't even tired at 11. So, I have been pushing his nap time to see if he could go down for a nap when he is really tired and sleep for a long stretch. It hasn't always worked. Yesterday, I put him down at 12ish. He woke up at 1. Then we went swimming and he slept for over 2 hours around 5pm.

The doctor said that we are in a weird napping stage. That this is completely normal and eventually he will just go down for one nap. So, in the meantime I am going with the flow. It's tempting to sit around the house and wait for Ethan to get tired. But a semi-tired toddler bored in a house is never a good idea. :)

So, today we had some fun. We met Dad downtown for his lunch break and went to the Discovery Museum. Jason loved seeing how excited Ethan gets. Ethan was literally running around trying to play with everything. It was so cute. I think he was even more excited than usual because Jason was there. I think Jason has a mini me. Here are some pics.

So, Ethan and I ate at Baggby's next door. I say ate loosely. I fed Ethan and attempted to keep him calm while I picked up some food to take home. He fell asleep in the car and is currently still sleeping. I think this nap will be that good long stretch I am looking for. :)

Have a wonderful Friday!

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

a few new Ethan videos.

Classic Ethan playing with Dad and Grandpa.

Introducing Ethan's first ever home video.

Ethan doing some chores.

And lastly some of Ethan's new skillz.

Weaning

Ethan will be 13 months old soon. I can't believe we have made it this far. My mind works in seasons, like before Jas and I got married- I planned for everything up until we were married- simply because I didn't know what to expect. The same was true of moving to Virginia, then pregnancy, and then being a mom who nursed their baby. Our family is now entering a new phase. Jason and I are ready to be able to leave Ethan for a night and I am working on being able to let go of Baby Ethan and move onto Toddler Ethan.

I am a little apprehensive about weaning. How will I comfort Ethan in a way that he understands? How will I put him down for his naps? On the flip side, I am excited to wean. I don't have to wear nursing undergarments. I don't have to be with Ethan every night for him to fall asleep. I can be a little more independent if needed.

Jas and I are attending a marriage conference in April- later April. We have decided that we want to go away for one night and be able to leave Ethan here with a trusted family member. This means that Ethan will need to be weaned.

It may sound like a lot of time, but it feels like a huge chapter is closing for me. A chapter of mommyhood that I have loved and enjoyed. Something that was so hard at first and then became so easy and then became something I looked forward to because I could watch Ethan fall asleep in my arms. So sweet.

A new chapter is emerging. One that includes whole milk in sippy cup. No bottles or pacifiers. A chapter with a very active little boy trying to go down slides by himself and push a swing at the park. A little boy who loves to eat fruit cut up in a bowl with a fork and crunch on crackers using his 2 and a half little teeth.

The baby season is over and the little boy season is here. I will let you know how weaning goes. Pray for us and our new season. Pray for my heart in letting this little bit of sweetness go for the greater good of my family.

An Epic Year

Ethan Jay Vandever was born a year ago at 6:08 am. Today, he woke us up at 6:30 am. I wonder if he thinking it was time to celebrate his birthday.

I remember when he was born  I loved him so much. I didn't know what his personality would be like but I loved the idea of him. I loved him because of what I knew he would mean to me. I loved him because he was my son. Now, a year later I love Ethan for the little boy that he has become and because he is my (and Jason's)  son.

He was so sweet as a new little baby. And often asleep.

He still seemed so tiny even though he was almost a 9lb newborn.

Today he is much bigger! 

He has gone through a carseat, a bumbo chair, a jumperoo, and a swing. 

Give this kid something to push around or throw and he is a happy guy. :)

One of my favorite things about Ethan is that he is so daring. You never know what he will try. He sees something he wants and goes for it.  He has recently learned how to climb the door of the dishwasher. Yes, the dishwasher door. And my shoe rack. And random boxes in our house. 

He has some brains to go with his daring side.  He throws spoons inside the dishwasher because he knows that's where they go sometimes. And he will come running when I say the word "snack". But he often forgets what the word "no" might mean. Hmm.   

And of course, he loves playing with a ball. I took him to Toys R Us  to pick out a birthday toy. I took him to the fancy expensive ones and he took off towards a bin full of balls squealing in excitement. So, I bought him 2 new birthday balls. 

I love this kid. He is so fun and unpredictable.

Happy Birthday Little Ethan Boy!

Need a Lunch Date?

Need a lunch date? Ethan can pick you up in his cool ride and entertain you with his lunchtime conversation. It will have to be quick, because he'll have to be back home in time for his afternoon nap.

What a Beautiful Morning! (and some pictures)

Last night, Ethan slept from 9:30-7. Wow. Yes! I've learned that I was not feeding him enough during the day. Now, I bring snacks everywhere we go and feed him breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a bedtime snack. I am trying to give him finger foods, but the kid only has 2 bottom teeth. Peas and carrots are more than 2 teeth kind of snack. Nonetheless, we are trying.

I on the other hand, have not been sleeping well when Ethan does. My body still wakes me up at sometime during the night. I force myself to lay still and not think too much... hoping this will help me fall asleep faster. I am always tempted to get up and go to the bathroom. Or look at the clock and calculate how many hours of sleep I have gotten in this stretch. After a year of this, it has become routine.

Hopefully, I will be able to break the routine soon and Ethan will keep sleeping through the night. I nursed him at 7 and he went back to sleep until 8:30. It was a beautiful morning. :)

Ethan is saying, "Mmm!".

Ethan still loves the park and now we bring his ball EVERY time. 

It is a hit with making friends and playing with friends.

Ethan  loves to read. He does this all by himself. 

It makes me feel guilty and like I should go read to him... 

Notice the favorite purple ball in the background. 

This was also Ethan's first time to ever wear jeans.

Bath time hair.