17 Months Old!!

Sam and Ethan hard at play

Taking a snack break

Checking out the fish tank at LL Bean

Ethan loves the Gendrons!  Snuggling before bed.

Our little guys have grown so much!  This picture was taken last November 2009

Pushing the babies in the stroller at Grandma and Papa's house is one of Ethan's favorites

Driving the bus at Stepping Stones Museum

Ethan loved the water room at the museum

Playing with the shapes

We had so much fun playing in the snow (even though Ethan doesn't look so happy in this shot)

 Last weekend Ethan's friend Sam (and our friends Andrea and Joel) came to visit us.  The boys are only a couple of weeks apart in age, and we've been getting them together since they were just months old.  Each time we get them together, we are all so amazed at how alike they are, and how much older they have gotten since the last visit. 

This time, they interacted more than ever before.  Ethan was very intrigued by having another person that was his size around.  He inspected every part of Sam from the hair on his head (literally) to his toes (again, literally).  At one point, when Ethan and Sam were having apple pieces for snack, Ethan decided that he would take care of his buddy by putting his apple piece in Sam's mouth- awfully cute!  The boys had a great time playing trains and running around at LL Bean.  It's so nice to know that Ethan has a great friend to grow up with!

Pete, Ethan, Barley and I came down to Connecticut on Wednesday.  We had a free day before Pete left for work, so we decided to check out a local childrens' museum with Grandma and Grandpa Y.  Ethan had a fantastic time running around from exhibit to exhibit, but his favorite by far was splashing around in the water room. It's a good thing they had smocks available! The museum was great, and watching Ethan play and discover was pretty cool.

Ethan is adapting more and more to the cold weather and is actually beginning to enjoy it.  We got more snow today and so we took the opportunity to suit up (far less painful today) and go out and play.  Auntie Sarah and I sledded down the small hill in our yard, taking turns with Ethan on our laps. He seemed a little uncertain, and we're still not sure how he felt about it.  On some trips down he had a definite smile, on others he seemed apathetic. Next time we'll try a bigger hill, which might be more fun for him... or terrifying. Ethan was happy to help shovel and brush the snow off of the cars, but his favorite activity was definitely eating endless amounts of snow. 

Tomorrow Ethan will be 17 months old!  It has flown by!  Everyone told me that the time would go quickly and it definitely does.  We are loving our little toddler despite the beginnings of temper tantrums and screams to get his way!  He is such a little character.  He loves to dance and has a variety of "moves" depending on the music.  And he is funny!  He will do anything to get a laugh- make silly noises, spin around, or be a goof with his juice (he thinks he is hysterical when he lets it drip down his chin!)  I know that I am repeating myself, but we are loving watching this amazing little person blossom a little bit more every day.

Choo Choos and Snow!!

This has been a BIG week for trains, and Legos!

More Trains!

Typical morning these days in our house- Ethan relaxing in his new chair, drinking some milk, and watching Elmo

My Snow Bunny!

Sledding with Mama

We all love playing in the snow

Especially Barley!

We can even swing in the snow!

Ethan needed some help from Daddy balancing in his big snow boots

This week has been all about trains!  We've had a snowy, cold week, and so we've had lots of time indoors to crawl around on the floor, laying track and playing with our train cars.  Ethan has loved every minute!  No surprise here- it's in his blood!! 

Today we had an opportunity to go outside and play in the snow.  This time was much more successful than our snow play in CT.  Ethan still screamed like crazy when we got him dressed to go outside, but once he was out there, he discovered how much fun the snow really is.  He loved walking around and exploring the yard (the parts where he didn't get buried).  He had a great time riding in his sled and swinging in his swing.  When it was time to go inside and warm up, Ethan cried because he didn't want to stop playing outside.  This was a HUGE relief to Pete and I, as we both really love winter and enjoy playing in the snow.  Now that Ethan is on board with the whole snow thing, I guess we can keep him!

Christmas 2010 and Snow!

Grandma Y helps Ethan with his new trucks

Trains! 

Ethan's new chair- he immediately crawled in with his new book with wheels

Trying out his new dump truck

Auntie Sarah made Ethan his very own duck

hanging out with cousin Jack

Waving out the window at Papa, Daddy, and Uncle Ken as they shovel the driveway

Ethan hates being bundled in so many layers- eventually he gave in and enjoyed riding his sled

Ethan and Daddy

Trying out Marshall's fort

Cousins!

Ethan loves his trains!

 Practicing our coloring.  Ethan can't decide if he'd rather color with or eat the crayons-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families.  Ethan embraced all things Christmas- the tree, decorations, the cookies, and of course the gifts!  He quickly learned that under all of those pretty wrappings, were fun toys!  Cars, trucks, trains, and books, were among his favorites.  I loved preparing for Christmas this year!  Knowing that we were creating a magical experience for our little guy was pretty cool! 

The day after Christmas, we had a huge snow storm.  Connecticut got 16 inches.  So, needless to say, we spent much of the week in CT in our jammies, playing games, watching Elmo, and playing with cousins Madeline, Jack, and Marshall.  Ethan loves playing with his cousins, and as he's gotten older, he's even trying to wrestle a bit with Jack and Marshall!  I guess boys will be boys!

The day after the storm, we ventured out to play.  It was a little stressful getting out the door as Ethan hates getting winter layers on.  It's so hard for him to understand why he has to wear big clunky boots, lots of layers, a hat, and mittens -- and boy does he let us know that he HATES it!   Once we were out and about for a while, and Ethan observed his cousins playing, he began to enjoy the snow. He liked riding in his new sled. but wanted nothing to do with walking around in the cold stuff.  I'm really hoping that he'll grow to love the snow, otherwise, we may have to move to California!

We've noticed that Ethan is understanding more and more of what we are saying to him and asking of him.  He can show us where his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hair, belly, hands, fingers, feet and toes are.  And he is learning more and more animal sounds.  He cracks us up when he doesn't know one of the sounds and makes one up.  For example, if we ask what a frog says, he'll growl- interesting!  The other day we asked him what Mama says, and he replied, "No, no, no!"  He's a real comedian!

When Ethan was smaller, parents used to always come up to me and tell me what their favorite age was.  "Oh, 9 months was great because they finally sleep"  Or "12 months was great because they are getting more independent."  I have to say that I have enjoyed every single stage and age thus far.  Some have certainly been more challenging than others, but I am just loving this ride so very much.  Every day brings something new to smile about.  This little guy brings so much complete joy to our lives.  I've never been much of a resolution girl myself, but if I had to make one, it would be to take time each and every day to count my lucky stars that I've been blessed with such an amazing family!