Ethan - First steps

We didn't catch it on video or camera like we did for Eliana's first steps in Mexico, but it happened today!  We were at Big Howe park on Queen Anne and he stood up in his wide, sumo style stance and when Nate said, "Walk to Dada" he did.  He took 4-5 uninterrupted steps and was so proud of himself. Good job, Bubba!

Ethan - 13 months

I don't know how our little baby boy is already 13 months, it's going too fast!  He is now letting go and standing in his sumo pose, smiling and so proud of himself. He's take a couple stutter steps, but not walking yet.  Ethan is definitely finding more ways to communicate and now has added, "More" and "dog" to his vocabulary.  We think he tries to say, "Eliana" by saying, "nana."  He will point and grunt for a lot of things if he is not satisfied with his food or what he's doing.  For example, the other day we had fresh raspberries from the farmers' market and he wanted more instead of toast, so he kept pointing and grunting at the counter where the raspberries were.  He's also becoming more opinionated about what he's doing and if he wants to do a different activity. He will push a book away if he doesn't want to read that particular one.  It's fun and scary to watch him more deeply develop his tastes:)  It's also so fun to watch his and Eliana's relationship grow.  They love playing together, even though he still gets wrestled to the ground and pushed around.  He watches her and laughs in delight when she wakes up in the morning and comes downstairs. So precious.

 Shower time

 Berry lover

 U-Village fountains.  Eliana and Ethan had a blast here on a cold June day

 Berry picking!

 Guacamole lover

 The joys of waddler-hood

Ethan - 12 months

This is belated (as we are with everything these days with two kids!), but here are some fun stats:

Height: 31" (87.70 % tile)
Weight: 22 lbs. 14 oz (71.89% tile)
HC: 47 cm (74.33 % tile)

New skills:
-Still cruising around and getting more brave on his feet
-Eating gold fish! (that is a skill, right?!)
-More and more interest in books.  Now it's expanded to the full realm of all trucks/cars/moving things.
-Finds new lovies, but Bunny is still number 1
-Says, "mama" and "dada" pretty consistently
-Pointing to everything, for desires and to wonder what things are.
-Simple phrase understanding, like "Ethan, where's your Bunny?" He will go look for it and find it.


He is a huge eater and most of the time out-eats Eliana by 3 times.  It's amazing how much he can fit in his little belly.


Schedule:
Still takes two solid naps/day.  Phew! :)

Ethan continues to be a very mellow little baby. He LOVES the water and is constantly going crazy in it; the water table, the bath, the pool, the wading pool, whatever form it is in.  He loves to watch Eliana and others; he is an observer and I will catch him watching other kids at the park for a long time, especially the boys on bikes or with trucks.  Such a boy!  He loves to bang on things and play with his cars at home. He also loves to dance to whatever music we have on.  He goes with the flow. He is also more passionate about being outside than Eliana ever was.  He will speedily crawl over to the door and grunt until I open it and take him for a walk. He loves to look at the trees, too. So blessed to have such a delightful little boy.  We love you, Bubbie (Bubba Bear).

 Getting a 12-month old to stay in the chair is impossible

 Tamborine distraction did the trick!

 Nonna and Grandpa's visit in June (more to come)

 Berries!  Ethan's diet is half berries and will eat handfuls at a time.