Ethan is so tired after playing at Daycare all day, that he still needs an evening nap.   Sometimes he doesn't want to have a nap, but Mommy knows best.

Don't touch the tree.... Even if I place you in front of it

I must say, What a cute kid we've got!

Ryan and I did this picture in our livingroom the other night for Christmas cards (pretend you haven't seen it yet when you open your card) 

Things that I thought were important for the picture -

Socks...  I wanted to have Ethan in his cute little shoes, but he only has one pair right now that fit (besides slippers and boots) and they didn't go with the outfit.  But socks go with everything.

Turtle...   Ethan loves his turtle.  Turtle goes everywhere with us.  I bought it when Ethan was 3 months old so he could have something new to entertain him when we took our first plane ride to Montreal.  That's right, Turtle has even been to Montreal.

Corny Christmas Sweater-vest...   We can only dress them like this for so long before they start to protest - except my brother.  He wore 3 piece suits for school pictures well into elementary school.  Long even that I knew they weren't cool anymore Mom - and I'm 2 years younger than him.

Decorated Christmas Tree (with presents)...  It really sets the Christmas tone.  Otherwise it would just be another picture of Ethan, only with him in a corny sweater-vest.

Things I wish weren't in the picture-

The poor excuse for window treatments...  Scroll back up and look again.  You'll understand.

Finally I would like to say that to acheive a fabulous picture like this, it requires teetering your 8 month old on a box covered in blankets, surrounded by pillows, with a Daddy hovering just in case.  They did a good job, didn't they?

All Wrapped Up

Started wrapping Christmas gifts this afternoon....  Got bored of that pretty quick and moved on to more challenging things.  I'm convinced that dog on that commercial that's all wrapped up with a wrapped up tennis ball in his mouth...  not real.  Impossible!

Sunday Sleepers

I stole this picture yesterday while I was busy getting ready for Church.  Everyone says Ethan looks just like his Daddy, Ryan says he can't see it.  I think the similarities are endless!

Tis the Season!

Ethan met Santa yesterday.(not the one pictured above, but a real life Mall-Santa) And he wasn't even that scared. Tried to pull his beard off (was almost very successful). But we've been telling Ethan that Santa works at Craig Dunn Motor City the other 364 days a year in the service department. I personally like our Santa better than the one at the Mall.

And yes I am one of those people who dress their dogs up, but only on occasion.

The elf is my favorite!

What A Monkey

Left to his own devices, Ethan decided to play with ALL of his toys last night (with Daddy looking on).

Formula Follower

If you've been following for the past few weeks, you probably know I've been struggling with a Baby who is almost 8 months old, who refuses to sleep through the night. Up until about a week ago, Ethan was completely Breastfeed.

I am pleased to say that Ryan and I have won the Bottle-Battle. Ethan downed his 7 oz bottle of formula last night in about 10 minutes! Yay Ethan, go Ethan, Yay Ethan.... (happy dance)

My goal was to get him to take 1 bottle a day, right before bed, in hopes that he will sleep better. (some say that formula feed babies sleep better, breastfed babies wake up hungry in the middle of the night)

I am sad to say that Ethan is STILL waking up in the middle of the night, hungry. I know he's hungry, because I go in when he wakes up, make sure that teeth aren't the issue (he's not trying to pull the top of his head off) and give him his Soos (pacifier). Ethan will fall asleep, and wake up and cry and fall asleep and wake up and cry. I let him do this for about 50 minutes on Saturday night before Ryan finally went in to get him. Ethan latched on and had a full meal, then Ryan took him back to his crib and he slept for another 5 hours.

A growth spurt? A spoiled baby with trained parents? An extremely hungry 20 lbs 8 month old?

I'm not sure, but I prefer the sleeping Angel.

One Mans Junk...

I decided to take yesterday's warm weather as possibly one of the last days of above average temperatures this Fall and went for a walk downtown with the boy. Going out during the day can sometimes get expensive.

I like to shop. I admit it. I like to have money in my account and to buy things, resulting in less money in my account. Going for a walk downtown can sometimes result in WAY less money in our account. But I was good yesterday.

I stopped at the two second-hand shops, spent $10 total and came out with a jacket and pair of pants for the boy and two new toys! (though slightly used). The best part was that I could remember playing with a similar toy as pictured below when I was a kid.

When we got home, the boy went down for a nap and I proceeded to give the new toys a good scrub in the sink... and when he woke up, Ethan was delighted with his new treasures.

Me? Modest?

Reese's everyday wish; That someone will scratch her belly.

What Does Elmo Have That I Don’t?

My baby loves Elmo.  Ethan loves Elmo so much that he will de-latch while eating when he hears the Elmo’s World song come on the TV.  He will push away from me and roll to watch the 20 minute show.  And he loves to eat! 

It all started when Grandma and Grandpa dropped off a Tickle-Me Elmo doll a couple months ago.  Ethan loves when Elmo laughs….  He’ll put the big huge eyes in his mouth as Elmo vibrates.  I think it feels good on the teeth.  (He now has 4!  Two more appeared yesterday!)

Now he makes out with Elmo all the time.

He also loves the Huggies commercial, and will de-latch for that as well.  You know, the one with the guy in the red and white running shoes chasing the giggling baby.  I think he’s imagining running away from Daddy in the park next year.

Balancing Act

 

Come on Reese!   It’s easy!  

Ryan spent a long time training Reese how to balance a Kong on her head.  Whenever someone asks me “What do you do at home all day?”  I’m going to say I taught my son how to balance rings on his head.  And it was hard work!