Ethan David,

Mommy has been a very irresponsible blogger...The past year has gone by so fast and I haven't written since August of '09. I am going to try and recap the last year of activities. Because the reason the past year has gone so fast is we have been busy!!

First let me start by saying how much you have grown and changed over the past year. You have gone from our little baby boy to our full grown boy! We have watched you learn all your animal sounds, learn how to love music, you sing songs and ask to turn on the music. You love being outside and just running around. Anytime you are outside you are happy. Now you have moved on to learning your ABC's and can pretty much sing the entire song already. You have your colors down and can count to 5 all by yourself. You love books, you always have, but now I think you actually understand what we are reading to you. Some of your favorite characters are Elmo, of course! Cookie Monster...you say his name so cute with a deep raspy voice. You love Barney and can sing that entire song too. Aunt Amy gave you a stuffed Barney that sings and you love it! Thomas the Tank...what else can I say, he is by far your favorite although Lightening McQueen is starting to make his move into first. You ask us to put "Cars" on for you just about every day. You know all the other characters from that movie too.

You moved out of the crib into a big boy bed. That was a little bit of a struggle, but you did pretty well with the transition. Now you love your bed and your Pirate room. One of our most favorite things you say is "Arrrgh" like a pirate. It is so cute.

You are learning to ride your bike. It is still a challenge, but you will get there. You are absolutely the most physical kid we have ever seen. You just want to run, climb, jump, whatever you can do to keep moving. You are so much like your Daddy and we can see you one day with your surf board under your arm or your snow board.

You have fulfilled our life in ways words can't describe. We are filled with so much pride and joy when we look at you. It is as if there was a void that you filled even though we may not have known we were missing something. Your smile, your laugh, your beautiful green eyes and that amazing curly hair... you are the sunshine in every day.

Now on to the happenings from this past year... One day you will have to ask us to tell you about this past year in more depth. It has been a crazy year. Many changes in our life and we are still working out what direction to go in. We left our amazing life in Colorado to move to Cleveland, Oh for Daddy's work. Aside from being near family, life is not that great here. But it is a stepping stone to better times and more adventure. But you do have "G" right down the street and your Aunts Jenny and Jessie. The love you more than anything. You are a pretty cool kid and I think they come over to hang out with you more than they do to hang out with us.

We have had some pretty awesome times this past year. I'll just recap them...

August 09- Camping: Royal Gorge Bridge, St Elmo ghost town, took a quad ride to continental divide where you feel asleep between Daddy and I.

August/September 09 - first baseball game with Sawyer and his mom and dad.

September 09 - camping in basalt - ruddi resevoire, I think this was our first trip in the new camper

Halloween 09 - Dressed up as hippies, all three of us. Met up with The Strebels, of course!

November 09 - trip to florida and disney. First trip to Disney. I think Daddy and Mommy enjoyed it more than you did, well maybe not... We found out the day before that you were going to be a brother.

December 09 - the big move to OH

March 10 - back to FL for another trip to Disney. Had to get out of the snow!! This was an amazing trip and we stayed in the Fort Wilderness campground. You had a blast and so did we.

Easter 10 - at Mams and Paps with the cousins.

May 10 - Camping at Mohican state park with Aunt Amy, G, and the cousins. This is where we figured out we had to get you a bike. You kept trying to ride the cousins' bikes...

June 10 -camping at Marblehead/ East Harbor State Park. We somehow avoided being swept up into a tornado. This story requires it's own blog entry...

Fourth of July in Canada - Your first experience with fishing. Daddy loved it and you did too for about a minute. Then it was off to something else as usual.

July, 15, 2010 - The arrival of your brother, Jackson

Now, about Baby Jackson... You don't much care for him. You pretty much try to pretend he isn't here. You like to throw things at him, and I can't leave you alone with him at all. You do have some moments of intrigue but they pass quickly. You were pretty cute when you first saw him. You were mesmerized by his hands and feet. In fact, you still are. You sometimes try to hold his hand, but I think you do it when you think I am not looking. It is as if you are putting on this show of not liking him, but deep down I know you do. We also know that someday you and Jackson will have an unbreakable bond. We can't wait to see the two of you grow up and go on adventures together, you will teach him things and he will look up to you like he will no other person for the rest of his life. Neither mommy or daddy had a brother and I know you will realize how special this is one day.

So now here we are... a family of four. Our perfect little family. Daddy and I talk about what it is going to be like watching the "boys" grow up. We say "the boys" and just look at each other and smile. It is like our circle is complete and whatever is going on outside that circle can not break the bonds of this special family. I cannot describe to you the feeling of pride we have at being your parents. We have so many dreams and aspirations for both you and Jackson. We want to make all your wishes possible and give you a strong foundation to build your life from. We want to take you on adventures and show you all that the world has to offer. You are our #1 son and will always be. We love you!!

Wow...Ethan you are one!

One year, 365 days, 52 weeks, 12 months. That's a long time, right? No, not right...it went so fast, I feel like tomorrow you will be 16 and won't want to sit on my lap anymore. Well let's hope you don't want to do that at 16! I can't even put into words the joy I have being your mom. You are such an awesome kid. You are so much like Daddy and I, and we love it. You can't stop moving, ever! You are not afraid of anything. You love adventure, you love being outside, you love the dogs and the kitty. We just couldn't have asked for a better kid. I know, I know...broker record, right?

So on to the birthday party. It was going to be just a small gathering with Sawyer, of course, and the Strebes. And maybe G. Well, it turned out to be a big shindig! G came to visit and brought with her your favorite Aunt Jenny just in from Maui, HI. Grampa Blake decided to come visit as well after G talked him into it. And as if that wasn't enough, your crazy Aunts Amy and Mandy decided to come surprise us and especially Jenny with a trip to CO. After 24 hours and driving through the night they made it. It was an unbelievable special weekend, not just because it was your bithrday, but also to have all your family there. It was awesome. You got to play with your cousins Maggie, Izzy and Joey and also Sawer and Reece. It was a great day. You got lots of clothes from G, a really cool CAT dump truck from The Strebels, a cool computer keyboard to actually use with the real computer from Aunt Donna and Uncle Jeff, and some cool bath toys from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Steve and also from Grampa Blake. As if you needed more toys or clothes!

After the craziness of the Bday weekend, we had a nice quiet weekend, the Strebels came over and we just relaxed. We went fly fishing and you had you first fall into the freezing river. I was right there to pick you up and you didn't seem to mind the cold so much as you kept wanting to get back in.

Then it was time for Mommy's birthday, and not just a birthday, but birthweek. You will soon get to experience the birthweek. We went a cabin and spend the weekend in the mountains a few hours away. You got to get dirty, which of course you love and Mommy hates. We took the quad and took you almost all the way to the continental divide. Of course you feel asleep, so if we would have made it you would have missed it all! it was so cute, you were asleep in my arms on this bumpy and rough road. But you just love being outside and you love riding the quad. we went to the Royal Gorge Bridge, the tallest suspension bridge in the world. It was pretty weird watching you walk around on this bridge being so high up. We rode the ferris wheel, which you loved! Oh, and you got on your first and probably last Mule ride. I say last becuase I think we will move you up to a horse next time. Daddy liked it because the Mule's name was Nelly and he got to say "Whoa Nelly" Yea, one day you will be real sick of Daddy's jokes.

In other not so exciting news: You are a great sleeper, you love your stuffed animals and you love your bed. You climb the stairs up and back down like a little monkey, and now you have figured out how to hold the railing so you can walk up the stairs like a big boy. I think your first words are starting to formulate. Every now and then we can hear you mimicking us. Daddy, Doggy and kitty I think are pretty much already there. You love to throw your food off of your high chair down to the dogs below. Mommy really hates this, can you work on that please? Daddy absolutely adores you and can't wait until you can talk so you guys can have boy talk. You like to cuddle now, and I love that. You enjoy sitting on my lap and I think its pretty cool, for now...

You are just the best. What else can I say.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Almost One Year old!!

I just went and looked through all the pics from your entire life. I say "entire life" as if it has been years, but to me it seems as if it has. It feels like so long ago you were a tiny little bundle of life in my arms. I miss that so much, yet, I love you so much the way you are and want to freeze you at this age forever. Daddy and I just watched you with such awe when you were first born. And we still do. You just keep bringing such a happiness to our lives. You filled something we didn't even know we were missing. It is so hard to put into words what it feels like for you to turn one...

Your life is flying by, that's kinda how it goes. You have logged more miles these past couple months. Both on land and on the sea. We finally got to the Caribbean! After a very long night getting there, we finally made it. It's a good thing you were sleeping because it was pretty long and exhausting. On the 4 hour layover at 5 am in the morning, you and Sawyer were happy as can be. Playing with toys and being social with all the other extremely tired and jet lagged travelers. You gave us all something to do to keep our minds off of how tired we were. Thank goodness for Tera, the babysitter. But we got there, and we all had such a great time. There we were, The Beves and The Strebes. We are like family now especially after speding a week together on a small boat out at sea. You and Sawyer were beach buddies and love the water. And we certainly kept you busy. More to come of being on the see, you are after all the Son of a Sailor.

We got back, had a quick weekend of rest and then off again. This time to the mountains. Boy you have a tough life don't you...? Better get used to it! We heading off to Chinns Lake for a 4th of July celebration with, yep, you guessed it, The Strebels. It was freezing cold, but you didn't care. It was raining and muddy, but you didn't care. Yep, you were crawling around on the ground, getting your clothes dirty and dropping your snacks and eating them. Nice... It was really hard on Mommy to watch you get so dirty, but Auntie Holly had to keep reminding me that dirt was normal for kids. WHAT? not my kid. Yeah right. You are definitely going to do your share of stressing Mommy out. But we just decided you would have dirty clothes for outside and clean clothes for in the tent. That worked well and you sure had fun. You and Sawyer were walking all over the place. Such big boys!

Your cousins Hillary and Rachel just left and you enjoyed being beat up by little cousin Gabby. Really, you did! You thought she was the coolest. We all went to Cheyenne WY for the famous Rodeo. We got you your first cowboy hat and button tab cowboy shirt. You were just the cutest. It will be such a joy to see you ride your first horse and maybe even rodeo yourself one day.

We have been working on the house and you have been such a good helper. You love Daddy's tools, of course. Daddy can't wait for you to actually be able to help. It is amazing how physically advanced you are. You climb the stairs and go back down as if it is second nature. You are now rolling around on the floor and playing with your Kangaroo Climber like a little boy. You love your stuffed animals when you go to bed. You are going to day care now a couple days a week. You love it when Mommy picks you up from day care. You are still in love with food. Daddy has become your best bud. You love going on the quad with him. You hair is getting so long and curly I can't wait to see what it looks like when you become a teenager, a highschooler, a young man. You laugh and it could bring tears to our eyes. You play hide and seek, and peek a boo. You love being outside. You are just the coolest!

We can't wait to celebrate one year of your life with you. You are our best friend in the world and have brought us so much joy. We only hope to return it to you for the rest of your life.

The Pride of Being a Parent

Well Ethan, what can I say other than you are so freaking perfect. We fall in love with you more and more each day. It seems I start out each blog entry with how busy we are. But you are really a busy kid. This past month you have been busy growing as well! You have been on the verge of walking all month long. You learn new sounds each day and you love they way your teeth feel in your mouth. You have four of them now, two on the top and two on the bottom. Thankfully, you have stopped grinding them together. That really got on Mommies nerves! You have also learned how to blow spit bubbles. It is super cute even though it is kind of gross at the same time. I think you have learned that I am Momma and you know what Daddy means too. You are starting to call me Momma too. Daddy and I play with you each night and try and get you to walk. You are doing so good! When you took your first few steps I was watching and it was the most rewarding moment to date of being your Mom. The way you play right now is so cute. You are actually playing with your toys instead of just banging on them and eating them.

We traveled to see G and all the rest of the Ohio family. Your cousins thought you were so cool. It was so neat watching you interact with thim. I wish we lived closer. But I know you will be so close with all of them. We went to see G in Cleveland and she gave you your first piano lesson. You need some work, but I definitely see some potential. You were there for Maggie's birthday party, and that was fun. You love grass. Which is weird because I hate it, it makes me itch. You were amazed with it, how it felt and how it tasted as well.

You are Daddy and I's little best bud, we take you everywhere and you are so well behaved. Please keep that up, ok? You are so good at restaraunts, we are so lucky. It is hard for us to be away from you even for a few hours. We finally found a great babysitter for you and we don't want to leave you!

You and your buddy Sawyer are really becoming the cutest! I think you two finally know who each other are and are so comfortable around each other. You went to your first birthday party ever, Sawyer's party of course! It was so much fun. There was a ball pit, a pool and a water table. Of course you were busy flirting with all the pretty girls to pay much attention. You take after Daddy already!

Soon we will be taking you on your first sailing adventure. Daddy and I can't wait to get your sea legs growing! I know you will love it. And you will have your buddy Sawyer there to keep you company when Mommy and Daddy and Auntie Holly and uncle Geoff are drinking rum.

Soooo, obviously you are the light in our life and we swoon over you each and every day. Can't imagine how you are not going to be a spoiled little brat. But, you are pretty awesome and I know you will stay that way no matter how spoiled you are.

More Cute Pics

The Dave Shirt

The Bruiser

Ethan, this month you have really been through the ringer. I must be a bad Mom for letting your hurt yourself so much. But recently you have giving yourself a black eye, along with numerous random bruises and your most recent one is falling into the railing in the living room and gashing your chin, upper lip and gums. Is this a peek at what I am in for being your Mom? You are so much like your Dad already. Constantly I am asking him, why are you bleeding, where did you get that cut. I better keep the first aid kit fully stocked.

You have also leared how to scream recently. It is cute and annoying at the same time. I love to hear you exploring your voice, but at the same time it is a screaching sound, like nails on a chalkboard!

We had our first campfire not too long ago. We sat by the fire with our friends the Strebels. You and Sawyer loved the hammock. You guys thought you were such big boys. You ate your first S'more. Of course you loved it and then you were wired.

I have been thinking about day care for you. But I just can't bring myself to do it. Number one, I will miss you terribly. Secondly, the swine flu freaks me out a little and there are germs all over the place at day cares. But it will happen someday. You are such a Momma's boy, but lately you have been becoming a Daddy's boy too. It is so cute to see you reach out for him. We of course love having you home with us ever day, so don't get too excited to go hang out at day care.

Soon we are going to see all of your cousins and Aunts in OH. And of course "G". She can't go long without seeing you that is for sure.

We are so ready for you to walk. You are so close, but now you know that crawling is easier and you don't fall. So you have given up on trying to walk. Soon you will be walking hand in hand with us and we can't wait. We love you more and more everyday, if that is even possible. You are becoming such a companion and we look forward to each and every moment spent with you.

Is this the North Pole?

Spring storm, April, 2009. Come on Summer!!

what have we been doing with ourselves?

This month has flown by. I dont even know what we have been doing withourselves. Oh yea, digging ourselves out of the three feet of snow, just as we returned from FL. What a wake up call. We were without power for three and a half days and no phones for two of those, oh and no water as we have a well that needs a pump, that needs electricity. But, the sun came out pretty quickly and then all we were left with was the mud.

Ethan, what can I say, we are going to live an adventurous life. You were certainly full of excitement for Mom and Dad the past few weeks. We went to a great concert this month, you were not so great for the babysitter. You were hanging out with your buddy, Sawyer, while we were out having a rare adult night. we came home to a not so good report. It turns out you cried as soon as we left and caused Sawyer to cry and you guys continued to cry the entire night until you were too exhausted to cry any more. Now ever time we go to Holly and Goeff's you won't let me leave your side and cry as soon as I put you down or if I go anywhere near the door. What is up with that. It is time for a little daycare and a wake up call Momma's boy.

Other positive news is you are still the light in my life. When you are home, you are such a good boy. You play all by yourself for long periods of time, you laugh and smile so often you just touch my heart. You are actually trying to pronounce Momma. I can't wait till you actually figure it out. Just the other day you took your little scooter for a walk, you know like the way you are supposed to do it...walking behind it. Not just playing with all the contraptions on the outside. Walking will be in your very near future. I am actually excited for that. You will be so much happier when you can really get around.

Mommy and Daddy play with you all the time, you love flying through the air. When you laugh and giggle you melt our hearts.

We took you to your first baseball game with our best buds, the Strebel Family. It was a blast. You and Sawyer were the cutest. All the lights and the yelling of the fans was exciting for you guys. You did get scared once or twice from all the excitedment, but you settled into it. Can't wait until you and Sawyer are running around the stadium trying to chase down fowl balls and autographs.

We are still taking swim lessons and you are a little fish.

So, it's been a busy month. Get used to it little one. We are going to keep you going and going your entire life!

Learning to swim, swing and dealing with life's difficulties.

Ethan, you are such an amazing kid. You have your Daddy's blood running through you for sure. We took you to the beach for the first time and you had so much fun! you love the water, the sand, the shells. You would try and eat them and drink the water. You are such a water baby. Your Daddy, the FL boy was so proud of you.

On a sad note, we were in FL for Grandma Hill's funeral. She would love to see you having so much fun at the beach. She was so blessed to have another grandchild and couldn't wait for Daddy and I to have you. It was really sad to lose her, but we know she will be watching you from heaven every day of your life.

Aunt Donna and Aunt Debbie and all of your cousins just love you to pieces. You just smile at them and they love it! Danielle, Maxx and little Gabbie think you are their little toy.

In other news...you got your first tooth about 2 weeks ago. It is coming in nicely. It is so cute when you smile, I just love it. You are also developing your muscle skills. You are crawling all over the place with style and just the other day we were just about to get into the bath and you put your hands on the tub and pulled yourself to standing. I looked over and just laughed at how big you think you are. You are 8 months going on 2 years. Already, I am seeing your life pass be by. I see how handsome you are going to be, all the girlfriends you are going to have, the sports you will excell at and watching you whizz through school. It is going so fast, please slow down!

We also had your first swim lesson. As mentioned above, you are a fish! You and your buddy Sawyer were so cute in the pool, just watching each other and splashing together. I think you may be ready for the next level class already. Maybe you can be a lifegaurd someday like Daddy was.

I am going to start giving you my words of wisdom. Whether you like it or not, you are going to get it. I have moments sometimes that I just want to talk to you and tell you what is going on in my life. I know right now you can't really understand or have a conversation with me, but one day we can look back through your blog and have a little chat. So my words of wisdom today are...

Death...it is such a hard thing. I know you will have to deal with it at some point in your life, but i so wish I could sheild you from the pain of it. You will be a very strong person I know that, but no matter how strong you think you are, it is still probably the hardest thing a person deals with in a lifetime. So treasure the people around you, remember when you argue with someone, those words you speak can never be taken away and sometimes they are remember for years. Tell those close to you that you love them and tell them often. When you have something on your mind, say it! Don't let life pass you by with regrets. Regrets are forever and you can never remedy the feeling of regret. Don't wait until you are too old to do the things you want to do. Don't let people around you influence your decisions. Be strong and have faith in your own decsions. Be yourself, always. And lastly...Love your Mother with all your heart, oh yea, and your Father. God knows we love you more than words can say! The point of this all is...Death comes to us all. You don't get to chose when, so make sure you are ready!

I love you Son,

Mom

Ethans first best friend

They will never forgive us for this picture!

Ethan is totally saying right now..."no Sawyer we will get in trouble" and Sawyer says..."no way man, just do it"

Actually I am not sure who is going to be the bad influence. But they are sure cute now. It is so neat to see them interact at this young age.

His First Iced Animal Cookie

I know, I know, we said we weren't going to introduce sweets this early, but look at him. He is having so much fun! He likes it so much that I had to give him another one...

New things E has learned.

The plank position. I hope this doesn't mean he is going to want to go into the army or something. Not them I am against that, but I am thinking lawyer or doctor. He isn't quite sure what to do with him self when he gets to this position, all he knows is that he is doing something really cool. He just doesn't know what to do with his hands.

See, I want to get up from here...don't you hear me?

95th percentile for height, who knew!!??

So we had a doctor appointment this week. And let me tell you how surprised I was that our son is in the 95th percentile for height. The flesh and blood of these two NOT tall people. Maybe he does have a shot at the football team....

When people tell you that before you know it your child will be all grown you don't really take it to heart. The days fly by. You look at this beautiful boy and wonder how he got to be so amazing. when did he learn that? why haven't we taken any pictures in the last few days, he is growing so fast. Truth is, you take it for granted. You don't stop to realize and really take in every moment. Ethan is such a busy body, he is constantly moving. If only he could walk he says to him self. I think he visualizes himself walking and gets upset. He wants to move there or there or over there but he knows that it is a slow process. One day in the VERY near future he will be walking and our life as we know it will be changed! But bring it on, I am ready for every day with you Ethan! Mommy and Daddy love you more and more every day. Even on the bad boy days. Which are few and far between.

"G's" Visit

What a great visit with G we had. She spoiled Ethan rotten with love and affection as usual and also with some really stylish clothes. He got rocked to sleep for every nap and every night, and I am not sure we hear him cry all weekend. Dave and I got to ski together with out Ethan, it was a little weird. All the way there, we kept thinking to ourselves that he was in the back seat. But we didn't miss him when we got up there, sorry E.


I was really dreading today as it was the first day without G. I was picturing a day filled with spoiled rotten crying baby, but it has been such a great day. I think G wore him out. He took a 3 hour nap in the morning and then another one in the afternoon. Wow...I was a little worried, I had to go in there and make sure he was still breathing a couple times and that is definitley not like me to do. He doesn't seem to want to play by himself though, I wonder why???

All in all, it was a great weekend and turns out E isn't in too bad a shape, except he misses G.


Thanks for a good visit G, we love you!

Message to My "G"

Hey G, it's me Ethan. I just wanted to tell you how excited I am for you to come and visit. You were the first face that greeted me into this world, well aside from Mom and Dad. I can't wait for you to play with me and sing the Grammy Song. I know Mom really doesn't like that song, but I am sure I will love it as much as Joey does. I have a bunch of new toys to show you and I can sit up at the play cube all by myself. Sometimes I fall over, but that is just as much fun as sitting up. I am really becoming a big boy and I can't wait for you to see me! Travel safe and I will see you tomorrow! I love you, G. Your Grandson, Ethan.

Best sound in the world, how else can I describe this?

Skiing

Our Son the little trooper, he has already been to Vail, Breckenridge, Arapaho Basin, and Keystone. We are so lucky to have met another couple with a son just a little older than Ethan. They are bound to be best buds. We take the boys on the gondola, to the bar, cafeteria, lodge, wherever. They are both so good. If only they could be out there on their own skis. One day they will be!

Nesting Accomplished, better late than never...

Anyone who has ever had a baby, knows the incredible urge to nest while you are pregnant. Our situation did not allow any time for nesting. So, now here we are, finally in a house, where Ethan gets his own room. We finally get to break out the nautical decor and the thoughtful gifts from the baby shower. The room was yellow, which for some people is nice, but I wanted a really big boy room. So we painted it Blue this weekend. Wow, what an amazing transformation. It yells boy now. I love it. Now, I am secretly hoping I can paint the room next to Ethan's pink...