This week

The highlight of this past week was Ethan's 1st trip to the barbershop for his first "real" haircut.  We went in with a baby and came out with a toddler, or at least that's how I felt, anyway.  I suppose it was time; the "she's so pretty" and "how old is she" comments were wearing on Daddy, and the last one came literally as Ethan was getting his haircut; the stylist next to us said, "oh, I thought that was a girl" (despite the dump truck shirt and levi jeans...)  

We ended our week with a trip to Slapout to celebrate Gam Gam's birthday. Ethan had fun visiting with the family and especially his cousin, Natalie Kate, who is 9 months older than him, but probably 5 pounds lighter at least.  She is quite a character (aka drama queen), and refers to Ethan as "dat?", as in who is that and why is he getting so much attention.  They are going to have so much fun together, and it was so fun watching them interact.  

Here are a few pics from the week; had to include some "before" haircut pics.  

One last look at my long locks...

One of my new tricks, yoga pose?

I love to stand! Will pull up on anything and everything!!

Post-haircut 

Me and NK

She knows how to ham it up for the camera too!

That NK is soo funny!

What, we weren't about to get into anything...

NK explaining how the hair washing should go

Oh, I didn't realize this wasn't for me...

Big boy in his 24-month sized outfit!!!

He is such a happy boy, despite the fact that he is in the process of getting at least 2 more teeth, in addition to the one that erupted this past week.  Ethan is definitely keeping us on our toes, but he also makes each and every day so fun!!! We love him so much!!!

A night in the life...

I know I just posted recently, but these pics from tonight were too cute not to share...  Ethan keeps us pretty busy most nights, as he is constantly exploring (i.e., looking for electrical cords or outlets or floor lamps), but tonight I managed to pull out the camera and capture some of our favorite "faces"  Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

This is my "determination face"...

But I can always ham it up for the camera

So proud of myself standing alone at the ottoman!

Determination face, again, really wanting to get Mommy's camera...

Bath time fun...

Love bath time!

Really love it when they wet my hair!!

Even though they do this to my hair...

Easily forgiven once they sit me up!

All done, time for bed!

8 months old, and on the move!

Ethan had a big week this past week!  He started crawling (forward) on Monday night, and he turned 8 months old on Wednesday.  It has been amazing to watch him progress so quickly with the crawling.  At first, he was slow and deliberate and cautious, and the hardwoods were not his friend.  He mastered them the next day and moved on to mastering crawling over the threshold into our kitchen, so he could really make his Mommy a nervous wreck as he crawls on the tile.  His favorite things in the kitchen... Milli (our beagle) and her shiny water bowl, and the rolling chair at the desk.  As the week progressed, so did his speed and now you turn your head for a second and he's off to the races, and right behind you, wherever you are going... As he's been crawling, he's discovered new finds like the door bumpers, which he loves to flick to hear their sound, and the air vents in the floor, which also sound cool as he bangs whatever toy against them.  He is also trying to pull up on anything that is slightly stable. 

 Fine motor wise, he has also improved his pincer grasp and can now self-feed with much more accuracy, yogurt melts, puffs, and cheerios; still has no interest in holding his bottle and doesn't love his sippy cup, but does seem to love any of Mommy's open cups...  Other new tricks include waving, hi and bye, and it makes my day each morning when I go to get him out of his crib and he waves hello!  He is also consistently signing "more" and is so proud of himself for this!  Now we have to work on "all done" or he'll be in that high chair all night!  

We realize each and every day how incredibly blessed we our by his presence in our lives and we are so thankful for him and the absolute joy that he brings to each and every day!  Here are few pics from the past week...

Hard at work at his tool bench

 I love my elefun toy, even though I can't seem to catch those balls...

In my new big boy clothes

Nobody called me a girl today!!!!

ppbbbb, my standard greeting,
with a complimentary spray of drool

JOY!

Playing with my gifts from my triplet friends
Ellie, Liz and Emory

Who knew waving would make Mommy so happy...

And off I go...

These things make the coolest sounds!!!

I'm under the table, all by myself,
but not for long...

Using both hands to ensure a safe delivery of the cheerio!