Ethan's 1!!!

We started here...

And are now here...

Ethan turned 1 last Sunday and what an eventful weekend! Friday they celebrated Ethan's birthday at school. The kids had cupcakes, donuts, cookies, and chips and the teachers decorated the room and let him wear a special hat!

The party table

Gabriel, Ava, Ethan, Olivia, and BJ

Ethan and his cool hat!

Saturday, we had Ethan's pictures taken at Picture People. When I made the appointment, they told me to bring in a little cake and they'd take pictures of his digging in. I was a little hesitant at first, but now I'm really glad I had them done! And of course, he had a blast making a mess!!

Saturday afternoon, we had lots of house guests! Grandpa and Christine were waiting for us when we got home. A little while later, Cindy and Kacey got here with Olivia and Harrison. There was definitely a houseful, but we had a great time!!

The comes Sunday...party time!!!! Ethan was certainly the life of the party in his "Birthday Boy" shirt. He was blowing kisses and giving High 5s left and right! When it came time to open presents, he dove right in tearing up the paper and reading the cards with Daddy.

But nothing could top the cake. Oh, that chocolate cake!!! I was a little spectacle because it was chocolate and I knew it would be messy. But my cousin Mitzi said "Don't worry. Most kids don't get into it. They just play with the icing a little." Boy was she wrong!!! After there was no cake left she told me that she'd never seen a child go that nuts with the cake! But I must say, it wasn't messy! It was all over him of course, but there were just a few little globs of icing on the floor. But rest assured, there was NO cake left on the tray. He either wore it or ate it!

As soon as the cake was gone, we threw Ethan in the tub for a quick bath. He was still having a ball!!

The day was wonderful and we were so lucky to have so many friends and family members join us to celebrate!

Last Monday, we went to the doctor. Ethan now weighs 24 lbs (50%) and is 31.5" tall (90-95%). He got shots for Chicken Pox, Prevnar, and the Flu and we discovered that once again, he has a double ear infection. The doctor wants to try one round of antibiotics and if they don't clear, we will go see an Ear Nose and Throat doctor.

Ethan at school...maybe he'll grow up to be like Cousin Reid!

Ethan is still learning so many new things and is imitating us a lot as well. He tries to say "Book" but is sounds a little like "boo" and he says his version of "dancey dancey dancey" while he gets his groove on. He also loves to play peek-a-boo and run circles around the house with his popper...or just to chase the cat. He's also mastered going up the stairs, and Marc is working on teaching him how to scoot down them. My favorite is him blowing a kiss or giving a kiss. He's such a little ham!!

A few weeks ago we went shopping and Ethan got his first real tennis shoes. We discovered that he wears a 6W and here we were trying to squeeze his poor feet into 4s!!!! He loves his new shoes!

That's the update for now. Sorry it's a little late. We wish everyone a safe and very Happy Halloween!!

Love: Amanda, Marc, and Ethan

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!