Happy Birthday Ethan

Ethan, from the moment that we knew you were on the way, we wondered what you would look like and could not wait to meet you. From the moment that we met you on March 31st, 2008 at 8:12 am, we knew that you would complete the family perfectly!

The first few months at home were spent getting to know each other -- you loved to watch Benjamin and our dog, Shelby. Your fussiness as a new born each night was quickly forgotten as you began to smile and laugh at us. You amazed us by rolling over early and crawling at 6 months. You walked at 9 1/2 months and have not stopped since. Recently, you added running and climbing a flight of stairs to you list of accomplishments. Your face lights up anytime Benjamin is in the room. You even follow him to time-out! You have an obsession with your stuffed doggie and never really liked bottles. In fact, you finally convinced us that you were through with formula at 10 months (you have had only table food since 10 months old and can sign "all done" and "more"). You never took a paci -- believe me, we tried. You are always smiling and love to show off your 4 teeth!

Ethan, we are so glad you are part of our family and have truly loved the first year with you. We know that you will continue to amaze us in the coming years -- Happy Birthday Pie Man!

11 Months

10 Months

9 Months

8 Months

7 Months

6 Months

5 Months

4 Months

3 Months

2 Months

1 Month

2 Days Old - Leaving Hosptial

1 Hour Old

Daddy, just incase you need a little bit of home...

Daddy,

We know you will be home soon -- but it seems like you have been gone a long long long time. Here is what we have been up to since you have been gone. It has been too wet to play outside so we are stuck playing in the house. Mommy does not pick us both up and run around like you do. We can't wait to see you!

XOXOX,

Benjamin and Ethan

Say Cheeeeese!

We had the boys' pictures taken today. It was a hectic, loud, stressful 45 minutes! But, in the end we got a few good shots! Brian and I were even able to get in a few of the shots! (See the picture at the top of the blog).

Ethan did well. He was only fussy because it was nap time.

These are our rocking chairs from home. Brian bought the boys matching chairs so they can sit and read!

Pouty Benjamin. Most of the pictures with Benjamin in them are pouty or tear-filled!

Thanks Gebee and Papaw for all your help this morning. We could not have done it without you both!

There are some other great ones that will be posted in Ethan's first birthday post. Stay tuned.....

The Adventures of three boys

The weekend was cold and yucky here. We spent most of the weekend in the house, playing. We did leave long enough to get Ethan's first hair cut. (I suspected that he would act just like Benjamin did --crying, screaming, and thrashing about.) Ethan was not very happy -- there was some crying and thrashing. He was glad when it was over.

Getting ready to start -- bubbles make everything fun.

A day later, recovered --what hair cut? Take a look at those four pearly whites! He may be working on a few more!

The end result when daddy makes funny faces.

Brian was out of town last week and the boys really missed him. We loved having daddy home over the weekend -- there was lots of playing in the tent, some crawling and climbing on daddy and lots of daddy reading stories. Check out the heading picture on the blog -- that is 3 very happy boys....my boys!

Ice Cream, Sunshine and Bubbles

The last few days the weather here has been great. We have spent a good bit of time outside. Yesterday, Papaw came over and spent some time with the boys and we went to the Mayfield Dairy for ice cream. The boys shared a scoop and both were very upset when it was gone!

Today was another great day --it was the last for a while. We are expecting rain and colder weather for as far as they can forecast it! So, the next post will be another "life of the indoor boys"! We broke out the bubble machine. It was fun because the wind was really blowing and the boys were chasing bubbles everywhere.

Benjamin: "Mommy help Ethan. Ethan rocking."

Ethan: "MAMAMAMAMAMAMA." This was the first time Ethan has said mama. He has been saying dada for over a month now.

Ethan basking in the sun (or how proud he just made me by saying MAMAMAMA).

Benjamin loves to feel the wind in his hair.

As a side note, I have to tell you how much I love craigslist.com. I have sold almost all my baby stuff on there and do not have to pay fees like on ebay. In fact, today I sold 3 things and made $30....not bad for being at home and playing with the boys!

Baby's Got a New Pair of Shoes

Brian and I are of the belief that a baby does not need shoes until he is walking well enough to walk outside. Ethan has been walking for about 2 months now and is ready to be walking outside. We went to the Stride Rite store yesterday and Ethan was so happy to have shoes. We took him to the park in the afternoon and it walked like he has always worn shoes.

Here is the video -- he was not so sure at first and then took off like a champ!

Me and the boys after the purchase.

The boys watching the train at the mall.

Well, we are off to enjoy our new shoes!

Snow in Atlanta and other excitement

What a fun weekend we have had! Today, it snowed. This is the first (and probably only snow) this winter. It snowed for about 5 hours straight and we got about 3 inches. We took the boys outside and Ethan just smiled and laughed. Benjamin, on the other hand, did not want to wear mittens and wanted to stay inside. After about 3 minutes, we came back inside. I think that it took the same amount of time to get ready to go outside as we were outside!

The boys loved the view from inside the house!

Gebee came over and yes, she is reading to Benjamin. He current book obsession is "I Wish That I Had Duck Feet." I can recite the entire book from memory.

Yesterday, Brian and I got to have an afternoon date. Evan gave us tickets to see Dialogue in the Dark. It is an exhibit that was here in Atlanta that allowed you to experience life as someone who is blind. It really was fascinating and we enjoyed being together for a few hours. Evan babysat the boys at his condo. When we got to Evan's house, everyone was in one piece! In fact, the whole way home Benjamin kept saying "fun at Uncle's house." Evan took these pictures to show us what they did while we were gone.

Yep, that is the cord to the blinds. Yes, I know -- but everyone is fine. And, I know that there are a million little hand prints on Evan's windows.