Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Alexis hates developmental charts!
She does! (I do, really.)
We had Ethan's 12 month well-baby appointment today, and it all went really well. He's HUGE! He's gained tons of weight and is very very healthy. But at every appointment, we turn in these "Ages and Stages" checklists. Does your baby throw a ball? Does your baby point to the ball? Does your baby pick up a Cheerio with the tips of his fingers? Does your baby pick up a Cheerio with the tips of his fingers and his hands off the highchair tray? Does your baby throw the Cheerios but put the ball in his mouth??? (Yes.) I'm a teacher, and I know very well that all children develop at their own rates. But we couldn't check anything in the "communication" category, and that does bother me a little bit. No, he doesn't say Mama and Dada to us (though he does babble both at times), he doesn't point to something he wants, yada yada yada.... That bothers me, probably unreasonably. I'm also trying to do some baby signing with him, but he's probably not getting it yet because I'm fairly inconsistent with it!
Anyway, Ethan's awesome. I think his only problem is his neurotic mother. :)
We had Ethan's 12 month well-baby appointment today, and it all went really well. He's HUGE! He's gained tons of weight and is very very healthy. But at every appointment, we turn in these "Ages and Stages" checklists. Does your baby throw a ball? Does your baby point to the ball? Does your baby pick up a Cheerio with the tips of his fingers? Does your baby pick up a Cheerio with the tips of his fingers and his hands off the highchair tray? Does your baby throw the Cheerios but put the ball in his mouth??? (Yes.) I'm a teacher, and I know very well that all children develop at their own rates. But we couldn't check anything in the "communication" category, and that does bother me a little bit. No, he doesn't say Mama and Dada to us (though he does babble both at times), he doesn't point to something he wants, yada yada yada.... That bothers me, probably unreasonably. I'm also trying to do some baby signing with him, but he's probably not getting it yet because I'm fairly inconsistent with it!
Anyway, Ethan's awesome. I think his only problem is his neurotic mother. :)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Ethan Day!
In the spirit of other Joneses and Jewetts, Ethan has managed to spread his birthday out over more than one day. He celebrated it with his daycare buddies on Friday (with a taste of chocolate cake - first sugar EVER) and with his family today. And he handles being the center of attention well. :)
We had such fun today. Ethan took a great nap - he is still getting in that morning nap, but I'm beginning to see signs that it may be on its way out - and then was up and ready for food, attention, and presents. My sister, who is unbelievably moving to Santa Fe tomorrow, came by to get in some snuggle time before she moves. She also brought an adorable present! Ethan has been banging on it ever since.
You can't see from this angle (I couldn't seem to get his face and the toy in a good shot!) but this is a little piano - very sturdy, thank goodness, since he dumped it over twice in the first few minutes he was checking it out. As he banged on it relentlessly, every family member commented on his musical genius - I hope that our little prodigy is able to support his parents in the manner to which we would like to become accustomed!
The cards were a little lost on Ethan, but he did make an effort. He's very interested in "open/close" these days, so he was patient with us glancing at the inside of each card before moving on to the ripping of paper off boxes and other new things to put in his mouth.
Ethan's Aunt Kim and Grammy Barbara were here to enjoy the celebration as well! We're lucky that Cincinnati is a mere 3 1/2 hours away, because they'll be able to see this boy grow up! He looks so much like a little boy, too, that we were placing bets on when he would walk. I think my mom and Barbara are betting on sometime between now and Thanksgiving, though I think chances are better for Christmas time. Mom actually wanted to test it out, and my assurances that he would fall flat on his face almost didn't deter her. I'll have to make sure my dad closely supervises any babysitting she does in the next few weeks, or Ethan will be black and blue by the time I return!
I'm afraid I don't have a cute picture of Ethan smushing a huge piece of cake in his face. He was very curious about the carrot banana muffin (go ahead and roll your eyes - but it did have icing!) that we stuck a candle in. He did eat the whole thing, and loved it! And between that, the scrambled eggs, and smushed fruit, he had the breakfast of a big boy. I just love that he's eating almost the same things that we are these days! Of course, much of that ends up on the high chair pad, on the floor, and rubbed in his hair...
We had such fun today. Ethan took a great nap - he is still getting in that morning nap, but I'm beginning to see signs that it may be on its way out - and then was up and ready for food, attention, and presents. My sister, who is unbelievably moving to Santa Fe tomorrow, came by to get in some snuggle time before she moves. She also brought an adorable present! Ethan has been banging on it ever since.
You can't see from this angle (I couldn't seem to get his face and the toy in a good shot!) but this is a little piano - very sturdy, thank goodness, since he dumped it over twice in the first few minutes he was checking it out. As he banged on it relentlessly, every family member commented on his musical genius - I hope that our little prodigy is able to support his parents in the manner to which we would like to become accustomed!
The cards were a little lost on Ethan, but he did make an effort. He's very interested in "open/close" these days, so he was patient with us glancing at the inside of each card before moving on to the ripping of paper off boxes and other new things to put in his mouth.
Ethan's Aunt Kim and Grammy Barbara were here to enjoy the celebration as well! We're lucky that Cincinnati is a mere 3 1/2 hours away, because they'll be able to see this boy grow up! He looks so much like a little boy, too, that we were placing bets on when he would walk. I think my mom and Barbara are betting on sometime between now and Thanksgiving, though I think chances are better for Christmas time. Mom actually wanted to test it out, and my assurances that he would fall flat on his face almost didn't deter her. I'll have to make sure my dad closely supervises any babysitting she does in the next few weeks, or Ethan will be black and blue by the time I return!
I'm afraid I don't have a cute picture of Ethan smushing a huge piece of cake in his face. He was very curious about the carrot banana muffin (go ahead and roll your eyes - but it did have icing!) that we stuck a candle in. He did eat the whole thing, and loved it! And between that, the scrambled eggs, and smushed fruit, he had the breakfast of a big boy. I just love that he's eating almost the same things that we are these days! Of course, much of that ends up on the high chair pad, on the floor, and rubbed in his hair...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Halloween!
October is a very very important month. First of all, it's Fall! Secondly, we have to celebrate Halloween. And most importantly, a little boy will unbelievably be turning 1.
Because I can't really believe the third item from that list, I'm going to spend a little time on the second. Brian and I keep saying that this will be Ethan's first Halloween, first snow, first etc., etc., but of course that's not true. It's just the first time that he'll be really really fun during this season! I've looked through many catalogs trying to figure out what His Majesty should wear this year. I even bought two costumes, thinking that I would post pictures of both and let you all decide! But Ethan already knows what he does and doesn't like, and decided for me.
Mr. E is going to be Mr. Bee for Halloween. All we need now are some black socks, and we're good! :)
I also bought a cheapo lion costume, because I just couldn't resist the thought of Ethan's curly locks topped by a curly mane. But I couldn't even get that mane on him long enough to snap a picture, so I didn't figure that we were having any luck there. (Luckily, that was the cheap costume I bought - obviously Ethan has more expensive taste.)
I'm not sure how much trick-or-treating we'll do! Maybe to a few neighbors to show off, Gramma & Grampa's house, and then home for bed. I am the first to admit that this costume is primarily for the photo op. :)
Because I can't really believe the third item from that list, I'm going to spend a little time on the second. Brian and I keep saying that this will be Ethan's first Halloween, first snow, first etc., etc., but of course that's not true. It's just the first time that he'll be really really fun during this season! I've looked through many catalogs trying to figure out what His Majesty should wear this year. I even bought two costumes, thinking that I would post pictures of both and let you all decide! But Ethan already knows what he does and doesn't like, and decided for me.
Mr. E is going to be Mr. Bee for Halloween. All we need now are some black socks, and we're good! :)I also bought a cheapo lion costume, because I just couldn't resist the thought of Ethan's curly locks topped by a curly mane. But I couldn't even get that mane on him long enough to snap a picture, so I didn't figure that we were having any luck there. (Luckily, that was the cheap costume I bought - obviously Ethan has more expensive taste.)
I'm not sure how much trick-or-treating we'll do! Maybe to a few neighbors to show off, Gramma & Grampa's house, and then home for bed. I am the first to admit that this costume is primarily for the photo op. :)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Happy Fall!
Happy Fall, everyone. I think that Central Illinois had the full span of Fall weather this weekend, with a truly icky day of mist, wind, and cold rain all day Saturday, but beautiful sunny skies today! Ethan and I enjoyed some time outside on the hammock. :)
Besides the beautiful fall weather, we're enjoying a great visit with Ethan's Grammy Barbara from Cincinnati. I love that Brian's family is as laid back as the Joneses, because when we get up, we get up (though Ethan rushes that a little), when we eat, we eat, and when we nap, we all nap! It has been great to spend so much time together, since this boy changes weekly.
One of the things that we've enjoyed about Ethan so much lately is his interest in the very very ordinary. His favorite toys? A tupperware container filled with plastic spoons & old pacifiers. An empty formula container produced lots of giggles as we rolled it across the floor the other day. And how dare we recycle that Cheerios box?!
His first birthday is coming up very soon (!!!) and I'm recommending that his friends and family wrap up anything they can find sitting around in drawers that they don't want. Plastic kitchen utensils that need to be replaced? Ethan would love to put those in his mouth. A box from that new TV you just bought? That will be lots of fun for the whole family. And if you've got anything that could be remotely dangerous, he is especially interested in any of that.
If you look closely, you'll see that on Ethan's shirt are lots of clouds, some very stormy. :) That shirt was given to us by Brian's meteorologically-savvy friends Ed and Lucia, who are now the proud parents of little Luciana. We haven't worked out the details for the arranged marriage yet, but we're working on it. She's a cutie.
Besides the beautiful fall weather, we're enjoying a great visit with Ethan's Grammy Barbara from Cincinnati. I love that Brian's family is as laid back as the Joneses, because when we get up, we get up (though Ethan rushes that a little), when we eat, we eat, and when we nap, we all nap! It has been great to spend so much time together, since this boy changes weekly.
One of the things that we've enjoyed about Ethan so much lately is his interest in the very very ordinary. His favorite toys? A tupperware container filled with plastic spoons & old pacifiers. An empty formula container produced lots of giggles as we rolled it across the floor the other day. And how dare we recycle that Cheerios box?!
His first birthday is coming up very soon (!!!) and I'm recommending that his friends and family wrap up anything they can find sitting around in drawers that they don't want. Plastic kitchen utensils that need to be replaced? Ethan would love to put those in his mouth. A box from that new TV you just bought? That will be lots of fun for the whole family. And if you've got anything that could be remotely dangerous, he is especially interested in any of that.If you look closely, you'll see that on Ethan's shirt are lots of clouds, some very stormy. :) That shirt was given to us by Brian's meteorologically-savvy friends Ed and Lucia, who are now the proud parents of little Luciana. We haven't worked out the details for the arranged marriage yet, but we're working on it. She's a cutie.
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