Happy Halloween!
From the Disco Dancers and their Disco Ball,
a Spider,
and a Knight!
Hope you had a great one too!
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Happy First, Eefie!
Today's the day - Eefie is one! He was my first induction, so I feel a sense of strangeness about celebrating his birthday today. I mean, what day was supposed to be his birthday? I'm sure it doesn't really matter. Today's the day one year ago I brought him into the world and forced him out of his warm, watery cocoon.
As a matter of tradition, I have always posted favorites by the ABCs on my sons' first birthdays (here are Collin's & Brennan's - you'll be SHOCKED at how much they each resemble each other), so without further adieu...
Active - this kid never stops moving; he's always into something else
I know this is common (just boys?) but it is still annoying to constantly trip on things and have to pick up so much. He loves the pantry, tupperware drawers, pots & pans, book tubs and shelves, diaper bag, and crayons.
Brothers - he wants to be right with Collin and Brennan at all times
This really annoys them, and when Mom can't join in and referee and E gets left out, he gets annoyed too.
Car - lots of time taxi-cabbing
E spends most of his days in and out of his car seat as we chauffeur his brothers to their activities. Such is the life of the youngest.
Dishwasher - specifically the knives in the silverware holder :-(
Eefie - recognizes/turns/responds to this nickname better than his real name
French fries - loves to gnaw on one after another when we eat out
Grass (and mulch and rocks) - anything he can get into his mouth when he's outside
Hot dogs - diced into small pieces
He can eat more than one at a single meal!
Independence - he's pretty much given up nursing, except for at 6am
Joyful - he's generally a happy, smiley, fun guy to be around
He's a total flirt with strangers, just like Brennan was. He loves to smile his big, goofy grin. And everyone loves him. It's fun to spend so much time with such a flexible, easy-going little man.
Kitchen - emptying the cupboards and drawers is a favorite activity
Lightning - the time that has passed since he was born ONE YEAR ago today
I know it didn't help that we chose to move cross country and then move again just 2-1/2 months later, but this year has passed so quickly. It took so long for Collin to turn one, then Brennan did it in half the time. Now Ethan has met this milestone like a flash of lightning. Please, little one, cuddle with me longer!
Ma-ma - the only consistent word so far
Ethan has at times used "mu" for more, "ba-ba" for his blankie, "da-da" for Daddy, "du" for duck, and "ba" for bath, but "ma-ma" is his only consistent daily word... It makes me melt every time.
Noise - loves really loud things
This is a first for me - Eefie actually laughs when it's noisy. He loves yelling, pounding, power tools, vacuums, construction sites (like our back patio), bells at the school, etc. It's strange to me.
Outside - scrambles fast for any door that opens
Ethan only gets to go out if I'm out too, and since I usually have to clean up or make food, that isn't very often. He howls when I pull him back from the threshold and he doesn't get to go. Sorry, Buddy.
Phones - and anything electronic really
He'll go to great lengths to get people to pick him up or crawl under things to get to a phone.
Quick - he is a little speed-demon crawling and really wants to walk on his own
He's gotten really good at walking along things, and he can stand while using his hands for something else if his tummy is resting against the couch or ottoman. He can switch from my knee to a chair, but he can't walk or stand independently... yet. I know that time is just around the corner.
Remote control - and only the one that we actually use
Sometimes we'll give him the BluRay remote while we have the tv on so he doesn't mess anything up. He knows the difference and will have none of it. No substituting allowed.
Splashing - you can't imagine how soaked I get monitoring him in the tub
He absolutely LOVES the bath tub... which almost makes up for the fight it is to get Collin to get in. He doesn't mind his face being wet, and he hates to get out.
Television - he just discovered Sesame Street
He also has been known to laugh at Brennan's Curious George episodes. What a silly monkey.
Uninterested - doesn't like traditional toys
He only wants to get into mischief with everything other than an actually toy. Is this true for EVERY baby!? Just boys? Sigh. What a mess all the time.
Vacuum - crawls on and around it while it's on!
Okay, so all my other children have literally had to be locked in their rooms as they've cowered and cried at the sight of the vacuum cleaner. I almost never vacuumed when they were little because it was so difficult to hold a large baby while wielding the heavy machine around. I had no idea a child could LIKE a vacuum so much that he would climb on it and into its path, which also makes it slightly difficult to get the cleaning done! From one extreme to the other, for real.
Wooly - his blankie he sucks on to sleep
This is one of the most unique things about my little Eefie. I received a blanket at my baby shower that was so soft and fluffy and white that it resembled lamb's wool. Collin named it "Wooly." From time to time last winter, I'd tuck it around him to keep him warm. Last Spring, I took it out of his crib to wash it and put it away (it's really thick), and E stopped sleeping as well. He's never taken a pacifier, so I mentioned to Ryan that I thought he had developed an attachment to his blanket instead. So I put the blanket back in the crib, and he went back to sleeping well. Voila.
One day I went in to wake him up, and - surprise! - he was sucking on the blanket corner. Now the corners of this once white and fluffy blanket are matted and black and smell slightly nasty. I even accidentally gave him a similar blanket in the middle of the night last week (during an uncharacteristic wake-up), and he quickly let me know my mistake. YIKES!
Bottom line - he's super attention to that ratty thing.
Xoxo - totally understands hugs and kisses
I LOVE huge, open-mouthed, wet goos on my cheek... from my one-year-old. (No one get any sick ideas.) A-DOR-ABLE!
Yogurt - the smooth flavors
The happy squeals I get when pulling a little container out of the fridge of yogurt are enough to make my day. He loves any flavor that doesn't have lumps (no pina colada, peach, or strawberry).
Zzzz - super tired lately
This little man is in the middle of a growth spurt. He was only awake 6 hours yesterday! He's been taking two 2-3 hour naps per day and sleeping 12-13 hours per night. This mommy is enjoying every minute of what I know is just a phase. Sleep on.
As a matter of tradition, I have always posted favorites by the ABCs on my sons' first birthdays (here are Collin's & Brennan's - you'll be SHOCKED at how much they each resemble each other), so without further adieu...
The ABCs of Ethan
I know this is common (just boys?) but it is still annoying to constantly trip on things and have to pick up so much. He loves the pantry, tupperware drawers, pots & pans, book tubs and shelves, diaper bag, and crayons.
Brothers - he wants to be right with Collin and Brennan at all times
This really annoys them, and when Mom can't join in and referee and E gets left out, he gets annoyed too.
Car - lots of time taxi-cabbing
E spends most of his days in and out of his car seat as we chauffeur his brothers to their activities. Such is the life of the youngest.
Dishwasher - specifically the knives in the silverware holder :-(
Eefie - recognizes/turns/responds to this nickname better than his real name
French fries - loves to gnaw on one after another when we eat out
Grass (and mulch and rocks) - anything he can get into his mouth when he's outside
Hot dogs - diced into small pieces
He can eat more than one at a single meal!
Independence - he's pretty much given up nursing, except for at 6am
Joyful - he's generally a happy, smiley, fun guy to be around
He's a total flirt with strangers, just like Brennan was. He loves to smile his big, goofy grin. And everyone loves him. It's fun to spend so much time with such a flexible, easy-going little man.
 |
| Perfectly comfortable with the neighbor boy |
Lightning - the time that has passed since he was born ONE YEAR ago today
I know it didn't help that we chose to move cross country and then move again just 2-1/2 months later, but this year has passed so quickly. It took so long for Collin to turn one, then Brennan did it in half the time. Now Ethan has met this milestone like a flash of lightning. Please, little one, cuddle with me longer!
Ma-ma - the only consistent word so far
Ethan has at times used "mu" for more, "ba-ba" for his blankie, "da-da" for Daddy, "du" for duck, and "ba" for bath, but "ma-ma" is his only consistent daily word... It makes me melt every time.
Noise - loves really loud things
This is a first for me - Eefie actually laughs when it's noisy. He loves yelling, pounding, power tools, vacuums, construction sites (like our back patio), bells at the school, etc. It's strange to me.
Outside - scrambles fast for any door that opens
Ethan only gets to go out if I'm out too, and since I usually have to clean up or make food, that isn't very often. He howls when I pull him back from the threshold and he doesn't get to go. Sorry, Buddy.
Phones - and anything electronic really
He'll go to great lengths to get people to pick him up or crawl under things to get to a phone.
Quick - he is a little speed-demon crawling and really wants to walk on his own
He's gotten really good at walking along things, and he can stand while using his hands for something else if his tummy is resting against the couch or ottoman. He can switch from my knee to a chair, but he can't walk or stand independently... yet. I know that time is just around the corner.
Remote control - and only the one that we actually use
Sometimes we'll give him the BluRay remote while we have the tv on so he doesn't mess anything up. He knows the difference and will have none of it. No substituting allowed.
Splashing - you can't imagine how soaked I get monitoring him in the tub
He absolutely LOVES the bath tub... which almost makes up for the fight it is to get Collin to get in. He doesn't mind his face being wet, and he hates to get out.
Television - he just discovered Sesame Street
He also has been known to laugh at Brennan's Curious George episodes. What a silly monkey.
Uninterested - doesn't like traditional toys
He only wants to get into mischief with everything other than an actually toy. Is this true for EVERY baby!? Just boys? Sigh. What a mess all the time.
Vacuum - crawls on and around it while it's on!
Okay, so all my other children have literally had to be locked in their rooms as they've cowered and cried at the sight of the vacuum cleaner. I almost never vacuumed when they were little because it was so difficult to hold a large baby while wielding the heavy machine around. I had no idea a child could LIKE a vacuum so much that he would climb on it and into its path, which also makes it slightly difficult to get the cleaning done! From one extreme to the other, for real.
 |
| Another shocker - He doesn't seem to be afraid of animals... yet. We'll see how long it takes for him to join his brothers on that one. |
This is one of the most unique things about my little Eefie. I received a blanket at my baby shower that was so soft and fluffy and white that it resembled lamb's wool. Collin named it "Wooly." From time to time last winter, I'd tuck it around him to keep him warm. Last Spring, I took it out of his crib to wash it and put it away (it's really thick), and E stopped sleeping as well. He's never taken a pacifier, so I mentioned to Ryan that I thought he had developed an attachment to his blanket instead. So I put the blanket back in the crib, and he went back to sleeping well. Voila.
One day I went in to wake him up, and - surprise! - he was sucking on the blanket corner. Now the corners of this once white and fluffy blanket are matted and black and smell slightly nasty. I even accidentally gave him a similar blanket in the middle of the night last week (during an uncharacteristic wake-up), and he quickly let me know my mistake. YIKES!
Bottom line - he's super attention to that ratty thing.
Xoxo - totally understands hugs and kisses
I LOVE huge, open-mouthed, wet goos on my cheek... from my one-year-old. (No one get any sick ideas.) A-DOR-ABLE!
Yogurt - the smooth flavors
The happy squeals I get when pulling a little container out of the fridge of yogurt are enough to make my day. He loves any flavor that doesn't have lumps (no pina colada, peach, or strawberry).
 |
| Oh my goodness! I just found this picture on Collin's camera. What a face to capture. Good work, Big Brother. This is awesome. |
This little man is in the middle of a growth spurt. He was only awake 6 hours yesterday! He's been taking two 2-3 hour naps per day and sleeping 12-13 hours per night. This mommy is enjoying every minute of what I know is just a phase. Sleep on.
Happy 1st, Ethan! We love you.
 |
| Covered in marshmallow and graham cracker outside by the fire. What I call a perfect Fall night. |
Friday, October 3, 2014
"Annual" Birthday Bonfire
We are 33!
We hosted our annual (Can it still be called that when it's in another state and has none of the same invitees?) smores birthday night. We made the food mostly potluck, and it was perfect. There's was tons to eat and was a really good time.
We hired a contractor in July to build us a cover for our back patio, and despite all the promises that it'd be finished in time for the party (and a contract!), it was not. They gave us a string of outdoor lights as a consolation prize. Joke was on us. They also took down all the scaffolding and ladders and cleaned up a bit for the evening. Thanks?
We got lots of funny comments about its strange shape... and the holes in the house. ;-)
 |
| I'll post full before and after pics when it's finished... if that ever happens. |
 |
| Yikes! Look at all that smoke. |
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