"Ethan's Hair Long"

When Ethan says, "Ethan's hair long" it's time for a haircut. When I saw how much hair actually got got off, wow, it was really long! They even gave us a small baggie to save some of his hair in. It could've filled a sandwich baggie! So, here's my big boy - before and after. :0)

Caught In the Act

Today was a sad day for John and I. It started last night, actually. Ethan was having a hard time getting to bed. I put him in the crib after a lot of hee-hawing around and he screamed and screamed after I left. I was watching him on the baby monitor. All of a sudden, one leg hiked over the side of the crib and down he slid to the ground. Our baby could now GET OUT OF THE CRIB! I ran to his room, he ran to me with tears down his face and we snuggled together in his rocking chair until he fell asleep. This morning we awoke not to the alarm clock, but to the routine "Mommy! Daddy!" I was so tired from the night prior I sent John to get Ethan. Where was he? Not in the crib! He was laying in Skippy's dog bed (Skippy usually sleeps in Ethan's bedroom), smiling from ear to ear. He got his morning milk and came back to snuggle with me. We had a talk about climbing out of the crib. Tonight, we had the talk again. I said, "You need to stay in your crib." "No, Mom, climb out." I said, "Then, you come and get Mommy when you climb out." "Come to Mommy's bed." So, we'll keep the crib for awhile with a lower bar until we buy a big boy bed. Sad, sad... the crib days are soon over.

1st Day at Daycare

It's a new year and school is back in session. Even before Ethan was born I knew I'd never have to worry about where to send Ethan to daycare (one of parents biggest worries prior to Kindergarten). My best friend and I taught Kindergarten together for six years before she opened her own daycare/preschool program. She runs it like our old classrooms. She teaches these little tykes how to hold a pencil correctly and write their name (correctly), learn all the basics (and even how to read), teach them how to socialize with others and when to use good manner words. She brushes their teeth every day after lunch, does art projects, reads to them, sings with them, exercises them and most of all loves them. There is no other place I'd choose to take Ethan to for daycare. I look forward to his growth this year (not only physically, but academically, socially and emotionally) at his Auntie's house. Since it's only part-time, Grammie, Grandpa and I still get to spend a lot of time with Ethan during the week. I love being a Mom!

I Know My Name

Oh my word - today Ethan said his whole name. A few days ago I had written Ethan James Graham in big lettering on one of our many art pads. We practiced saying it that night to Daddy, Grammie and Grandpa at the dinner table. All of a sudden today while we were drawing, Ethan said, "Ethan James' picture." I started cheering. I said, "Don't forget Graham. It's Ethan James Graham." He repeated it then wrote it on his note pad (scribbles and lines). He practiced for Daddy after work again. It's amazing what a newly turned 2 year old can remember and produce! It just made me smile all night.