A Big "First!"

Ethan took his first independent steps today! He did it for Daddy over his lunch break, and again for Mama while waiting in line to see Santa. It's official - we have a walker on our hands!

In other big news, Ethan had his first visit with Santa today . . . . it was really funny to watch him sit on his lap - he was almost in a trance - he just stared at mom trying to make him laugh. Finally, he did smile . . and pull poor Santa's beard!

It was especially fun for Ethan to go with his cousins! Of course it is impossible to get a good shot of all of them together, but I must hand it to Santa- he was very gracious and patient - as Santa should be!

Ethan's First Christmas Tree

We decided it was time to get our tree, so the whole family made the trip about 3 blocks down the road to a little tree lot to pick out Ethan's first Christmas Tree. He was a very good helper, and we decided on a small, cute tree in no time!



We did have a bit of a dilemma deciding where to put the tree in our home due to space constraints and a little stinker toddling around who I'm sure would love to taste those little pine needles. Therefore, we decided to put it in the computer room, where there is a door with windows that we shut so Ethan isn't allowed in here anyway. This is the perfect set up, because we will be able to see in through the doors, but not touch the tree or presents underneath!

We are letting the tree dry out before we decorate it, since it got snowed on in the big storm. Those of you who have visited our home in the winter know that it is REALLY cold in our computer room because it doesn't have any heat! It's more like a sun porch that we turned into an office. Anyway, I am noticing that the snow is melting so you will be happy to know that it is warmer in here than it is outside!

The Answers are Revealed!

Kyra, thank you for participating in the quiz! I'm sure you are all on pins and needles wondering what the answers are . . .

1.) C - Ethan only has 2 teeth. We're thinking that all he wants for Christmas are his 2 front teeth! The seriously should be coming in soon!

2.) B - The weather forecast always catches his attention - I think it's because of the colorful radar maps.

3.) B- "DADA" is what we hear most around here (unfortunately for mama!) He also says "ADA" a lot, which we have interpreted to mean many things such as "All Done" and "Ethan." Or, maybe he's just babbling . . . .

4.)C - Ethan loves his Spot Goes to the Farm book with the pictures taped in by Uncle Bob and Aunt Carol. I'm sure he'd love the other titles mentioned, but does not own any of them!

5.)E - Ethan loves all of these foods, and he loves eating! He really prefers foods he can feed himself, like cheerios, rice cakes, bananas, and graham crackers.

6.)E - I can get a kiss when I ask for one, and Ethan is great at waving "bye-bye" now. We have him wave "night-night" to various things in the house before bedtime and nap times also - this is a little trick we picked up from Grandma Mary to get him ready to go to bed.

It is a winter wonderland around here. We got 6 inches of snow. Mom decorated the house for Christmas last night and tonight wrapping gifts is on the agenda. I love this time of year, but unfortunately daddy doesn't share my enthusiasm since he is the one who has to shovel, put plastic on the windows, haul in the Christmas tree (hopefully tomorrow), etc. Ethan and I are hoping to get him in a more festive mood :)

10 Month Quiz

With all of the excitement of the holidays upon us, mom completely forgot to post an official "10 month" posting for Ethan! He turned 10 months on the 24th of November.

I am going to steal the idea for a little "blog quiz" from my good friend, Theresa. Here are some questions for you about Ethan at 10 months . . . .the answers will be posted tomorrow! Good luck!

1.) How many teeth does Ethan currently have?
a. 4
b. 5
c. 2
d. 3

2.) What is Ethan's favorite thing to watch on TV?
a. The Golden Girls, with mama
b. The weather forecast
c. The Packers, with Dada
d. Baby Einstein movies

3.) What is Ethan's favorite thing to say?
a. "mama"
b. "Dada"
c. "ball"
d. "bye-bye"

4.) What is one of Ethan's favorite books?
a. Good Night, Moon
b. Guess How Much I Love You
c. Spot Goes to the Farm
d. Spot Goes to School

5.) What is Ethan's favorite food?

a. Turkey vegetable dinner

b. Graham Crackers

c. Cheerios

d. Bananas

e. All of the Above!

6.) Ethan now knows how to do which of the following:

a. Give a kiss to mama on command

b. Wave "bye-bye"

c. Walk independently

d. Feed himself with a spoon

e. Both a and b

If you so choose, you may post your answers in the comments section . . . . Otherwise, you can take the quiz in the privacy of your own home :)

Here's Ethan with a stuffed snowman we got as a gift last year. He LOVES it and keeps tackling it to give it hugs.

More Thanksgiving . . .

This morning we went to church for our pastor's final sermon, as he is retiring. Daddy played his trombone for the event, and Ethan was super good for about 1/2 of the service, then just could not hold still any longer, so we had to go to the back where he could crawl around.

After church, we went to Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jason's house for another Thanksgiving dinner. The food was wonderful, and it was great to spend time with the family. Here is Ethan with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Les.

Ethan wasn't feeling the greatest, and was very tired, so it was tough to get a good picture of all the cousins . . . Look at how sweet and attentive Cousins Andrew and Camryn are to him!
They brought out some of their old toys to keep him occupied. Very thoughtful! Finally, a decent cousins shot!

I am Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! This is my first Thanksgiving and I am very thankful for many wonderful things in my life! I'm thankful for my mom and dad who love me very much . . . .

I'm thankful that I get to climb the stairs at grandma's (with someone following close behind, of course!)
I'm thankful for my wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. . . .
I'm thankful that I have fun cousins to play with and get into trouble with . . . .
I am thankful that we got to spend lots of time with family these past couple days . . . And there's more to come!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mike's house. Mom got up early (4 am) to go shopping the next morning with Aunt Cathi, her cousin Lizzy, Great Aunt Geri, Grandma Mary, and Aunts Jenny and Michelle. I stayed at home and played with daddy during the morning and a sitter came to stay with me for the rest of the day. Mom came home exhausted, carrying lots of packages!

Then, on Friday afternoon we went back to grandma's for leftovers and to watch movies with the whole family again. It was so much fun! Tomorrow we get to have another big Thanksgiving feast with daddy's side of the family!

Going for a walk with Daddy . . . . .

I just can't decide which one to read next!