{Ethan}: Ethan Turns Three!

Ethan,

You amaze us. From writing your own name (with a lot of instruction from mom!), to accidentally doing math, we have really enjoyed this year. You learned numbers, letters, and colors, started to color with intention and string along better sentences. You've picked up on some attitude that came with turning three, which has us reading a few books. We can still reason with you most of the time, and you respond well to Daniel Tiger songs (thanks PBS).

We've loved being your parents these last three years and look forward to the year ahead!

Love you forever, like you for always,

Mom & Dad

{Ethan}: 2.5 years old!

Our sweet lovable, firstborn son is two and a half today!

He got a "half birthday cake" today and proudly proclaimed that it was his birthday. He is getting older, talking nonstop, and repeating everything until you agree with him or convince him to do something else. 

He's finally started saying "yes" and "yeah" instead of "okay" - which is adorable, because he's growing up, and sad, because saying "okay" to everything made it seem like he convinced you to do something.

He's a tall thin reed - 2T pants fit the waist but are high waters. 3T and 4T pants are the right length but fall off or gather strangely when we tie or adjust the waist. It's safe to say that the short jeans are in his genes.

He is the world's best big brother. He cares if Hannah cries or "spills" (spits up). He wants to play with her and hold her. He loves entertaining her when she is crying - usually as we try to leave the house. He is well-trained at turning her sound machine on for naptime.

He's an amazing puzzle-maker, cleaner, and dancer; he brings so much joy to our lives. We miss him when we are without him overnight. He is so fun!

Ethan, you're a joy to us and we are so blessed to be your parents!

xo,

Elizabeth

{Ethan}: our TWO year old!

TWO YEARS ago, I was handed a little bundle after 19 hours of labor. He had a major cone-head (he still has a huge head) and and was very alert. All the nurses commented on how wide-eyed and alert he was for a newborn! He took a couple seconds to make any noise immediately after delivery, and I had to reassure myself that he was ok. I was immensely relieved when he was handed to me - and when we saw him, we thought he was perfect.

We hit some milestones really early, like rolling over both ways consistently at two months old (what? That's insane). Others came a little later than some of our friend's milestones (speech). Still the most remarkable thing about Ethan is SUCH a happy kid! If you tell me that he looks like his dad, I may give you a weird look. It's not true. But if you say that he acts like his dad, I would agree 100%. He's his father's goofy son. Austin always knows exactly what to do to make Ethan laugh harder and play with more excitement than I ever could! You could chalk it up to being a guy thing, but I think it's more - I am certain those two will have a Phil & Luke Dunphy relationship!

I think, with both my kids, I have been most nervous about their personalities. I know who I was growing up and I fear I'll have to raise a mini-me. Something tells me miss Hannah will have more of my stubborn streak (or really - Papaw's), but Ethan has always been just a sweet and playful boy. He's pretty obedient (for a two-year-old), as long as we manage his expectations and his schedule well!

Ethan, I just can't say it enough: I'm so blessed to be your mama.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

xo,

Elizabeth

{Ethan}: 23 months old!

23 months with Ethan! One more to go until this little man turns two!

We noticed recently that when Ethan colors, he aims for the objects in the picture, which impressed us. He's still a scribbler, but he gets the concept.

Things he loves right now are minions (which he calls nini or nini-ga, no idea why he adds the 'ga'), Thomas the tank engine, and Sesame Street (specifically Elmo and Cookie Monster). That's kind of been the theme for a while, but you'll see it manifested in the pictures this month :)

xo,

Elizabeth