11 Months Done...1 More To Go!

It is so hard to believe that Ethan will have been with us for a year in 1 month! Time really does fly when you are having fun. We are in birthday mode...planning a party that he won't even remember, but hey, that's what you do!

Ethan's new ride...

And the new toy he's already mastered

This past month we have been busy building on what he already knows. Ethan can stand up on his own now without help from anyone or anything. He still loves to eat! Last night be tried cheese rice and, just like his mom, loved it. I still don't think he's tried something he didn't like. Right now we are making the transition from formula to whole milk. So far, so good. We've started doing a half and half bottle and he doesn't seem to know the difference.

Ethan's first "big boy bath" without the duck

Over Labor Day weekend, Ethan spent the weekend with Aunt Meme, Casey, Jake, and Uncle Mike while I went to the beach with the girls and Marc did stuff around the house and watched football.

So tired after a fun weekend
Sporting the red and black...GO DAWGS

This weekend Marc and I are going to work on decorating Ethan's room. The plan is to paint some images of Curious George doing different things around his room. We've rented an overhead projector from the library and Gram is coming up to watch him while we tackle this project.

Still loves those cups

This past weekend we had the pleasure of having Helen and Hal over to the house on Sunday. It was great to catch up and spend time with them. Gram came up and we all went to Outback for dinner. In true form, Ethan ate all of his dinner...a grilled cheese sandwich and a ton of green beans. He also had his first piece of steak.

Using Sabo as a slide

Other than that, we are just enjoying our time together. I'm still getting used to being home every night and on the weekends. It's working out really well. Ethan is at school Monday - Friday and seems to be enjoying himself. One bit of funny news...we had Samantha shaved. Her hair was just too long, and she seems to enjoy the new look!

Samantha's new do

We would like to wish our Jewish friends and family a very happy New Year and to everyone else, be well!

Love,
Amanda, Marc, and Ethan

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

9 months

Diggin through the toy basket

Such a boy...loves the remote!

First taste of a "biter" biscuit

And this is after eating the biter biscuit...MESSY!

Cruising along in the walker

Just being cute

It's hard to believe that there are only 3 months left until Ethan is 1!!! We just got back from the doctor for his 9 month check-up and there is good news to report...NO EAR INFECTIONS!!!!!! Both ears are all clear. I can't remember the last time we've been to the doctor and not had to make a pit stop at Eckerds on the way home for anti-biotics. What a relief!! Ethan is now measuring 29 inches and weighs in at 20.14 pounds.

Our new nickname for Ethan is "speed demon." Whether he is crawling or in the walker, the boy moves with some speed. He is "cruising" along the couch and coffee table, moving oh so gracefully from one end to the other. And in the past few days, he has started standing on his own for a few seconds. At school, he stood and clapped his hands a few times, then fell on his butt.

Speaking of school...I went to pick him up the other day and the teacher told me that he was climbing the bookshelf!! Looks like we have one fearless little boy on our hands.

We also have a very healthy eater. Ethan is also totally off of baby food. We have moved on to the bigger and better foods...carrots, peas, green beans, corn, pancakes, waffles, yogurt, bananas, peaches, pears, pineapple, chicken, mashed potatoes...you name it, he'll eat it.

Our favorite summer past-time is going to the pool. Ethan absolutely loves the water and being outside. Yesterday he crawled around in the grass for the first time when Aunt Meme, Casey, and Jacob came to visit.

Next week, Ethan and I are heading out to Florida. His first plane ride...we are hoping it will be uneventful and easy since he doesn't have an ear infection. We will see you when we get back from Florida!

8 Months and Mobile

"mamamama"












Kissin Daddy











On the go...no stopping him now!












Daddy pushing Ethan around in the laundry basket












Trying to get the hang of the sippy cup











Peek-a-boo!












Shaking his head "NO!"












Swimming
Well, here we are at 8 months and boy, have we been busy! The last month has been full of new things are lots of firsts for Ethan...and us for that matter!


In the last month alone, Ethan has learned to crawl (all hands and knees now, no belly!), pull himself up on the coffee table, clap, say "ma ma ma" and "da da da", and go from laying to sitting by himself. He also went swimming for the first time on Memorial Day and he LOVED it!!


In the last month, Marc and I have learned that nothing is sacred...it all goes in the mouth. We kinda knew that before, but now we can add shoes to the list. We've also learned that there can be nothing within arms reach on the coffee table, and drool looks great on the couch!


We started the month with bad news...Ethan's ear infections were back. We've tried a different antibiotic and go back to the doctor Wednesday to find out if we are all clear. If not, we'll start thinking about tubes. The good news is that the infections are all inner-ear, so we don't have to worry about swimming and getting water in his ears.

Another first this month...Ethan's first bruise! We knocked his cheek on the coffee table and out came the bruise. It's hard to let him fall and get hurt, but I know he has to learn. And I think he is. He's been a lot more careful lately about letting go of the table.

Last weekend, Ethan and I took a road trip to Alabama to visit Cindy, Kacey, and Olivia. They are expecting a little boy in August, so we went for the baby shower and had a great weekend. The picture of us swimming was taken at Cindy's parents' house.


This past weekend, the day care had a cookout for Father's Day. Marc and Ethan went and had a great time (I had to work). They won a dance contest and played the night away. On Sunday we went to Robyne's for Father's Day. Ethan had a blast swimming and wore his "My Daddy is a Super Hero" shirt.


We hope everyone is well and had a fantastic Father's Day. See you next month!!

7 months

Ridin my car from Nanny and Poppy















Just being cute















My new seat!











White Sox fan already!












Takin a bath in the duck












Toolin around in my walker
The last few weeks have been fun-filled for all of us! Cousin Shelley came for a visit. We went to see Casey and Jacob play ball and went to the local Mexican place for Cinco de Mayo. That weekend Marc and I also went out with Jimmy & Hilary for a "parents' night out." Our neighbor Nancy watched Ethan and everyone had a great time!

The week of Mother's Day there was an art show at Ethan's school (daycare). Each class made different art for the parents and we had a picnic dinner on the playground. We got a picture of Ethan with a hand and foot print. They also made a magnet for us. We also got Ethan a new car seat that weekend. He's pushing the limits on the old seat, so we've upgraded to what I like to call his "Lazyboy" seat. It reclines and everything! Hopefully he won't outgrown this one in 7 months like he did the last!

We spent Mother's Day in Newnan with Marc's family and my mom. It was a great day of relaxing outside on the porch and eating some great food! Skirt steak, corn, potatoes, chocolate cake...YUM!!! A meal fit for a mother!!

On Wednesday, Hilary and Hailey stopped by for lunch. Hilary and I celebrated our birthday with homemade pizza and baby talk. Hailey is so cute and already getting so big! We can't wait until they can play together. Ethan thought she was adorable. Every time he'd see Hailey, he'd smile and giggle.

Today we went to the doctor to check up on the ear infections...ALL GONE!! She said that everything looked great and we don't have to go back until July for his 9 month checkup. He now weighs 19 lbs. 10 oz. and we got the go-ahead to move to stage 2 foods and yogurt. Today we have Bananas and Mixed Berries for lunch and keeping with the past, he ate every bite. We still have yet to find a food he doesn't like. Dr. Heaven also told me that the top side teeth will probably come in before the middles do.

Tonight Ethan is staying with Aunt Mimi. Marc is going to the race with Jimmy and I have to work, so she's taking him tonight and tomorrow he'll spend the day at the ball field before coming home.

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mom's and those to be. We hope everyone is well.