Chicago Trip

Wouldn't you know that as soon as I send out the last blog, more teeth pop out! Ethan now has 4 on top and 3 on the bottom!! He's also learning a TON at school. They are teaching him sign language. He can (on occasion) sign "More" and "Please". Ethan is also singing. Well, his version, at least! We say "La la la la la la" and he'll repeat it back, but it sounds like "Ra ra ra ra ra".

Ethan has mastered walking, now we are working on standing up without holding onto anything. The only time he crawls now is if he falls and needs to get to something to help him stand up. He's tried walking in shoes a few times, but ends up tripping on the toe. I bought him some shoes from StrideRite that are supposed to help him walk. They have a rolled toe so he won't trip.


On the 16th, we headed out for Chicago (Winthrop Harbor, actually). What a trip! We were running late and missed our flight, so we got to hang out at the Atlanta airport for a few hours waiting for the next flight. Ethan spent his time walking around the gate and making new friends of course. The next flight was delayed due to an oil leak, but once we finally got on the plane, the captain offered free drinks! Ethan had a ball looking out the window.


Thursday night we met the family for dinner at Portillo's (Italian beef sandwiches...YUM!) and then went to the track to watch the horse and buggy races. We had a great time, and so did Ethan. Such a great time that he didn't go to sleep until 11:00 Chicago time (midnight here!!).


Friday the men went off on the boat while Lori and I took the Ethan and Reece shopping. They racked in with some great buys for their fall wardrobes. That night we met up with the family again for the rehearsal dinner. It was wonderful for Ethan to finally meet everyone...most hadn't seen him since the day after he was born.

Reid's idea of funny...and it was! Laundry basket over Ethan's head

Saturday was the wedding. It was beautiful...unlike the weather! The ceremony was outside and it started raining right before it started. Luckily the bridal party was under a canopy. We weren't so lucky, but it was still beautiful. After dinner, we danced and then Ethan fell asleep. We put him in the stroller and he slept right through the rest of the reception.

Ethan at the reception in his big boy outfit

Ethan, Mommy, & Daddy

Reid and Ethan

Sunday we had brunch with the family and then went to Shelley and Ryan's house to play Wii. While we were waiting on Reid, Marc, and Niki, Ryan and Ethan took a little snooze. Then it was Wii time!! We had so much fun playing...now we want one!! We met up with the family for dinner and Ethan decided he didn't like what he was wearing. Flying had messed with his digestive system and it finally corrected itself that night while out to eat. And of course, I didn't bring him a change of clothes, hence the diaper and jacket look.

Ethan and Ryan taking a snooze

Ethan and Shelley

The aftermath of the explosion

Monday we took a trip to the Jelly Belly factory. We took a ride on a train and learned the history of the bean and how they are made. Did you know that it takes 7 days to make a Jelly Bean? Afterwards, we drove up to Lake Geneva and walked around. We went to the pier and Ethan didn't like it when he couldn't see cousin Reece. That night we had dinner at Lou Malnati's...deep dish Chicago pizza...doesn't get any better than that! Ethan decided to feed himself the mastacioli. The sauce was a little spicy, but he didn't seem to care.

Marc and Ethan waiting in line at Jelly Belly

The Jelly Belly Car

Ethan and Reece playing "Ah Butz"

Ethan and his newest cousin, Reece...two peas in a pod!

Lori, Reece, Ethan, and I at Lake Geneva

The Spectors at Lake Geneva

Ethan and the mastacioli

The flight home was uneventful. Ethan fell asleep right after takeoff and woke up when we landed. The passenger in front of us commented on how well behaved he was. All in all, it was a great trip, but we are glad to be home. Ethan was thrilled when he saw all of his toys and Sabo and Samantha.

In other news, I started my new job yesterday. So far, it's going pretty slow, but I really don't know what I'm doing yet. Tomorrow I will get some training from another Office Manager, so I'll be in good shape.

Until next time...hope everyone is happy, healthy, and well.

Love,

Amanda, Marc, and Ethan

Ethan's Walking!

So much has happened since the last blog. Right after I posted the last one, we got a note from school that Ethan was moving up to the "Beginners" class on August 6. Today is his first full day in his new class. It started off a little rough, but once he found out it was snack time and they were having bananas, things started looking up!

His last day in the Infant class with Ms. Juana and Ms. Ashley

First day in Beginners with Jordan and Maddison

Our trip to Florida was so much fun! Ethan did great in the airport and on the plane. I never realized how much easier things are at the airport when you have a baby (strange, I know). We didn't wait in line for anything. They have a special security screener just for strollers and wheelchairs, so we by-passed all the long security lines. It was great! As soon as we got on the plane in Atlanta, he fell asleep and didn't wake up until we landed. Same thing on the way home.

While we were in Florida, we swam with Grandpa, Chris, and Jimmy. We also took a walk to the lake and watched Grandpa and Jimmy fish. They caught a few, but threw them all back.

While we weren't swimming, Ethan enjoyed taking naps with Grandpa...

And making a mess with his cookies...

On Sunday, July 29, we went to Hailey's baptism. It was wonderful to spend the day with our "extended" family and celebrating the occasion with them. Ethan did great in church. He hit his head on the pew and the congregation "Aww"ed for him. Here we are at the Bermans' that afternoon.
Last Tuesday, Ethan started walking...and he hasn't stopped! He started out taking a few wobbly steps then falling and crawling the rest of the way. Before long, he'll be running! He's still a little wobbly, but he's doing great catching his balance and keeping on. We also have a 5th tooth! So Ethan now has 3 on top, and 2 on the bottom.

In other news, my last day with Disney is this Friday (technically). When we get back from Chicago, I'll start working as an Office Manager for Dixie Homecrafter's Roofing company. Marc and I will be working in the same building, so we'll get to carpool together. We are thrilled that I don't have to work nights and weekends anymore! More family time!

Last Thursday, I went to visit Heather and little Rhiannon. For those of you that don't know them, Rhiannon was born 11 weeks early. But whoever said that good things come in small packages was right. Rhiannon is absolutely precious and totally holding her own! Heather looks fabulous and everyone is doing well.

Next week, we are off to Chicago for 6 days. Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Love,

The Spectors