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A year and a half later, I FINALLY got Ethan's baby pictures developed and put into frames. Am I a terrible mamma or what?

Funny Sayings

Ethan is saying and doing some of the funniest things right now that I thought I would share:

• Saying the word "hot" and then blowing in the air. (Copying what I do when his food is too hot).
  
  
• A while back, I semi made a big deal when he fell and scraped his knees on the cement. So now at random times throughout the day, he would point at his knees (or find a scratch somewhere on his body), scrunch his eyebrows with the most concerning look and at the same time whine as if he's in major pain.
  
  
• Putting random things up to his ears to use as a phone and start jabbering.
  
  
• Squinting his eyes with a big, cheesy smile every time we tell him to "smile." (His idea of posing for the camera).
  
  
• Showing us his muscles by tightening his fists and tensing his body while grunting.
  
  
• Saying "ooooooh" at every little thing he finds fascinating.
  
  
• Watching Ethan and Kaika giving each other high fives.
  
  
• Oh, I can't forget...His classic "hi-e" to anyone and everyone at the store.

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Wow, Ethan took an amazing 4 hour nap today! It was so nice!

Haircut #5

Nature Lover

Ethan loves nothing more than to roam free and run around in an open field. He could careless for toys but prefers rocks, sticks, grass and dirt. (I'm almost over the-dirt-under-his-fingernails and constant grass-stained clothes - I just have to keep reminding myself that he is a boy and that's what boys do). So with the gorgeous weather this week, we spent a lot of time either in our yard or at the park. Here's a rare, quiet moment of him that we caught on video:

Simply enjoying God's creation

TGIF

Fridays for me are no longer what it used to be...done with my work week and relaxing the rest of the weekend...because being a mamma is a 24/7 job. But it does mean that Brian is done with his work week and will be home for family time and that's something I always look forward to. Anyway, my week with the lil' sicky did get better although I've caught myself having too many "Woe Me" moments. Woe me, I couldn't go to any play dates and having to miss MOPS. Woe me, we desperately need to get out of the house, but I don't know where else we can go. Woe me, why am I stuck with a whiny kid? So in the midst of all this, I realized that God was testing my attitudes and I'm ashamed to say I failed miserably. There were too many "ugly me" moments which I don't care to go into detail about. Then a second thought followed: maybe the focus shouldn't be about me, it should be about him.

On Wednesday after my last posting, God sent a big blessing by the name of Julie, a lady from church. She had offered to watch Ethan for a couple hours so I could get a break, which I fully took advantage of. I headed across the river to get a massage (Brian's idea) and enjoyed every minute of it. Along with that blessing came another blessing when she offered to continue watching him at the same time once a week EVERY WEEK. Wow, talking about being super generous!!! Now, I just need to figure out what to do with myself. On the agenda next week: a much needed haircut.

At the Verge of "More Than You Can Handle"

Wow, it has been a rough day for us! Actually rough is an understatement. What I thought was allergies for Ethan had actually become a cold. He got the whole itchy, runny nose, sneezing and now the coughing (which was a totally new thing since he has never had it before). He would cough, and cough, and cough, then stick his finger down his throat and choke himself. How that makes it feel better, I have no clue. Anyway, Brian and I tag teamed through the whining & crying and prayed for emotional strength to get through the day. Ethan's now finally in bed and we're both completely spent and beyond! (Don't think he has ever gotten both of us to this point before). I'm afraid of what tomorrow might bring...

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My kitchen looked like it exploded since everything is on the counter. That's what happened when Ethan can tippy toe and grab things out of the top drawers.

Easter Weekend

I don't know what we were thinking when we thought Ethan would make it okay in the car awake all the way to Marshalltown. As it turned out, that was not the case. We didn't even make it 10 minutes out of town when he decided he didn't want to be in the car seat anymore. So there I was in the backseat, singing, reading, playing and doing everything I can to distract him. But apparently nothing worked and he eventually had a full blown meltdown. Talking about a major stress! Anyway, we stopped at Coralville mall to let him run around in the children's play area before making part II of the trek which went a lot better. Brian was in the backseat while I drove like a mad woman (no joke) trying to get there asap.

The rest of the Easter weekend was fun catching up with Brian's family and watching the kids play together. Ethan had a blast!



Easter egg hunting at church and at Grandpa's & Nana's
The kids' favorite: Brian's old but classic Tinkertoy
Ready for church!

Catching zzzz's all the way home - Yay for us!

Just for Laughs

I went in to get Ethan this morning and he must have been bored waiting for me because I found him with his pj's unsnapped and unzipped half way down to his belly. He looked at me and said, "Uh oh." It was the cutest thing!

p.s. Jenn, maybe putting his pj's on backwards isn't a bad idea =0) (haha)