Ethan - 2 1/2 years old!

I have not really posted an update in a while. I find myself not knowing where to begin with "updating" on Ethan. During the holiday season we just had soooo many pictures and fun - It seemed too overwhelming to post on here.

However, he has really grown up in the last few months. He has gone from a crib to a big boy bed! When I say "big" I mean it. We had a crib that turned into a full bed - so we took advantage of that and decided to go all out. We bought the full crib and box spring and put the bed together. We stood back and took a look at it and realized it was HUGE and TALL! We decided to trade in the box spring for a low profile one - but it is still big. Ethan loves his big boy bed, though. He does a really good job of staying in it and sleeps all night long.

I never posted any pics or updates around Christmas time - but he had a GREAT Christmas!

He attended his first friend Birthday party during this month and got to make his first Gingerbread house. He enjoyed making it (and eating lot of candy) and loved being at the Birthday party.

Ethan also got to go sledding for the first time on Christmas day. He absolutely loved it! He loved to "crash" and race. He had a blast. He would have stayed out there forever, but his mittens got too wet and hands started to get cold. He cried and cried when we came in, but then enjoyed his first Hot Chocolate! Since then I have invested in some better mittens.

During Christmas break Ethan had a fun visit with his cousin, Leah. It was really the first time they got to play with just the two of them. There were very cute together.

We also had the opportunity to have some friends over from church for dinner. Ethan got to meet some new friends and they enjoyed "pretend" ice skating with some wax paper on their feet. Great fun!

Ethan's favorite new pastimes are playing games, putting together puzzles, and dressing up. We purchased our first game - Hi Ho Cherry-O's and Ethan loves it.

Ethan also LOVES playing with James' Ipad. James got an Ipad for Christmas from his company and Ethan has mastered this new technology. This is something we would have never purchased on our own - but since we have it, I have to admit - it is pretty cool. We have been able to download a ton of learning games for Ethan. He can pretty much sit by himself and do puzzles, practice his ABC's, Read books - it has it all! He loves this and it has taught him a ton.

Ethan had been doing a great job of going pee pee in the potty. He still wears a diaper - but he will go in a potty a lot. He loves stickers, so he gets a sticker every time he goes potty. Today he had a first - he went poo poo in the potty! This was a HUGE accomplishment and we celebrated! :) We were very proud of our little guy.

Ethan is a great helper. We recently gave him his first job - feeding Dakota. We have to help him, but he is getting better at doing this himself.

Ethan loves hearing stories before bed. James tells him bible stories. He told him the story of Nehemiah one night and now Ethan wants to hear it every night. Ethan can pretty much tell us this story by himself. He also likes to hear the story of Moses, and a few others. Our bedtime routine has now evolved into reading a story, telling a story, talking about animals, praying, and then going to bed! How did we get into this LOONG routine!? :)

Ethan is tons of fun and I love hearing all he has to say. He says almost everything. Yesterday I told him it was time to go to bed and he said (with a smile on his face), "Stop talking Mama! I don't want to go night night."

Today he is walking around here saying, "It is freezing in here."

We most definitely love this age. Ethan is full of energy, loves, and enthusiasm! We love him to pieces. :)

Ethan's first career choice...

Today over dinner, James asked Ethan what he wanted to be when he grew up. I didn't even think he would understand the question, but after a minute he shouted out - "A Fireman!" I am sure this answer will change many times over the years - but I thought I would record his first response. :)

Today we got together with cousins and I tried to get a group photo. Here is what we got! :)