Ethan - 18 months

I have to get this post done even if it's without pictures.  Ethan is such a treat to be around, he is funny, happy, mellow and so active.  And my heart melts every time he runs from across the room to give me a hug.  He wakes up happy, goes to sleep happy and is just content to be here on earth.  Here are some additional facts and characteristics as our little Bob Marley is 1.5 years old now.

Physical stats:
Weight: 27 lbs. 9 oz (86 % tile)
Height: 33" (63% tile)
HC: 49 cm (86% tile)

Likes:
* Ethan loves trucks, trains, diggers, buses, airplanes, anything that moves.  He spends most of his time in the house playing with cars, his new train set, or other moving objects.  He loves to make his Hot Wheels go through Eliana's princess castle doors, sort of a like a garage. So cute.

* He loves to read, but is very selective. He will push away books that Eliana loved.  He gravitates to the ones about cars and trucks.  Although he did deviate at Christmas and loved one called, "Reindeer Magic" that Auntie Amy got him. He also loves "Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel."  New favorite is, "Good Night, Good night Construction Site."

* Ethan loves to climb and multiple times every day I will find him on top of the dining room table or the island. Eliana never did this, so it's crazy to me.  The craziest was when he pulled the oven open, climbed up on it and grabbed a skilled from the stove. Luckily, nothing on the stove or oven was on.  Phew!

* Bubba also loves the park, but hardly wants to swing. He loves to search for the diggers and run them all around the park or in the sand box. Once bored with the trucks, he will move to climbing and has already given up on the toddler (small) play structure and tries to climb over all the things Eliana does.  He keeps me busy:)

* We call Ethan our little vegetarian.  He will down eggs, fruit and cheese.  His only preferred meat products are salmon and sausage, hardly meat, right?  He will eat cups and cups of blueberries, he loves them!

* Bunny. Nate and I have probably spent 10 hours on the search for Ethan's Bunny.  He has to have him for naps and bed and he's always found in the most random places.  Tucked in our suitcase, in the washing machine, or lying under our dirty clothes in the closet.

* Music.  Ethan will rock out to any sort of music that comes on, including the toys that sing.  It's so funny, he just shakes side to side and laughs.

* Baths. He's still a maniac when it comes to bath time and particularly loves the jets. He will try to tackle the bubbles, it's hilarious.  Multiples times per bath, Nate or I have to dive in and get him…such a dare devil.

* He also loves Mater from the "Cars" movie and loves to watch "Mater's Tall Tales."

* He loves to sleep on his belly, especially with knees tucked up and butt in the air.  So cute to watch him on the video monitor.

Dislikes:
* Ethan is not a fan of mom leaving right now. He will cry or get nervous when someone comes over, thinking I am leaving him with a babysitter.

He is pretty mellow overall and does a great job in the car, stroller, at home and putting up with his competitive and physical older sister.  He is a blessing and such a joy to be around.

New Developments:
In the last few weeks, Ethan's speech has taken off.  I think he has about 30 words now. I forgot how fast they pick things up.  He now says, "Touch down" and raises his arms up.  In addition, "Go Broncos"…you can tell all the important phrases we focus on here:)  The best part was when we were at Christmas with my parents and he started saying, "Love you."

He loves to kiss things, including Eliana's fairies.  It's so adorable.  He kisses his stuffed animals and whatever else he can hold in his arms.

He can run pretty fast now and is getting very confident in his climbing.

He signs "Thank you" and "More" now.

He loves to say, "no." This just started:)

He has started to prefer which coat and shoes he wears, which always means his "Mater" boots and his monster truck rain coat.

Schedule:
*Ethan and I attend a Tot Bop class once/week where he gets to sing, dance, play with balls and do movement activities.

*we also attend a mom/tot gymnastics class while Eliana does her gymnastics.  It's super fun and he is exhausted when it's over.  He loves the long trampoline and smiles even when he bites it hard….

*He is now officially on one nap. It took a while, but he goes down between 12:00 - 12:45, depending on the day (i.e. having to pick Eliana up from pre-school).

*Bed is usually at 7:00 now unless he's too tired to make it until then.

Summary:
Ethan is such a joy to be around.  Tonight after hosting a play date for 12 kids, I didn't see him downstairs.  I went upstairs to find him quietly playing in Eliana's kitchen, content as can be to be by himself.  He made my Christmas by playing hide-and-seek aka "boo" with my mom.  His smile, laugh and easy-going attitude are a breath of fresh air.  We love you, little E, Bubba, Bubba Bear.  You are an amazing soul.