Monkey Leash...

Yes I have broken down and bought my child a leash...funny how you end up doing things that when you were childless and said "I'd never do that..." However, that was BEFORE I realized that MY child could completely outwit me and run off in a store, now that Ethan is able to unbuckle the child restraints and get out of shopping carts and strollers!! A leash is a DEFINITE must have... we have had 2 episodes of PANIC before the purchase when Ethan took off in Babies R Us behind the racks and managed to get away from Jimmy & myself for over a minute... that aged me tremedously and there is nothing like an 8+ month pregnant person in a panic looking for her child!! Then in Target he managed to do it again...at least he was always in view there with the big isles...it was just a matter of catching him...and based on his pivoting skills Ethan is going to be a great quarter back! The Elmo leash at least keeps Ethan in reach at all times even though I end up being pulled all around the store and what should be a 30 minute errand turns into a 2 hour expedition!

Groovey Glasses...

Ethan was drinking in style at Grand"Mom" & Grand"Pop"s...I think Jimmy was jelous that he didn't get a pair too!

Classmate visit...

Laura, Dan & Elise came down for a visit over the weekend....it was our first time to meet their beautiful daughter. And what a pleasant baby she is! Laura & I were able to catch up inbetween running around after my crazy child Ethan... We made it to the outlets and zoo as well! Ethan enjoyed having a little person around and kept looking for the "baby" after she left.

Day Trip...

Sadly we made our last OC, NJ trip of the season as now the travel restrictions with pregnancy are only days away. We had a wonderfully sunny, HOT & HUMID day at the shore. Gramzie ladybug, Auntie Tiffy, Ethan and I enjoyed walking on the boardwalk, lots of yummy eats, sunning on the beach & splashing in the water (and of course a short stop on kiddie rides; thanks to Aunt Trisha Ethan now knows that they actually move if you put coins in them!) before we headed home. Luckily Auntie Tiffy & Gramzie can still "catch" Ethan when he decides to run away. Plus Ethan is not shy when it comes to trying to mooch food off strangers...lucky me... He only approached two unsuspecting victims...one for fries and one for good ole Johnson's "Pop"corn... these strangers graciously offered to share...but they would never have gotten rid of Ethan until their food was finished...

Car Wash...

Ethan brings new meaning to "hand-washing" the car! He is quite the helper...and thanks to my boys I had a shiney car for at least 48 hours before it rained!

Dinning out...

Ethan and Harris enjoyed dinner out together at Panera Bread. Does this duo look like trouble or what?! I can only imagine what the schemes of the future will hold! Aunt Trisha spoiled them on rides at Dairy Queen afterwards (I knew that the instilled belief Ethan had that they didn't actually move wouldn't last forever...)

Visiting with Harrison...

We were spoiled by having numerous opportunities over the last few days to play with Harris or "Har" as Ethan calls him... We played at Grandmom & Grandpop's, our house and visited the Elmwood Park Zoo. The cousins are forming a wonderful bond... Ethan awoke from his nap and cried for 1 1/2 hours because he wanted "Har". Harris is growing soo quickly and we can't believe how much he changes from visit to visit. We are looking forward to the next time they are in town!

The B.F.R. 2009...

The family reunion weekend was absolutely gorgous...we could not have asked for better conditions...it was great to catch up with everyone over yummy eats...I am coming to a conclusion that the horseshoe tournament is completely rigged....how fair is it that Jimmy & Dad are partners and have now wow 2 years in a row and the rest of us are either girl & boy teams or just girls?! The "Out-laws" unfortunately did not do well this year thanks to me... maybe it was the extra baby weight throwing off my skills...Sorry Mark! I think Ethan and Harris will have a ball next year with their own tournament of bean bag toss (a little safer at least!) Once again Trisha did a FABULOUS job with the attire!

20 Months...

Ethan continues to be our little ham bone, he is growing into quite a little boy. His personality continues to bud. He loves to be the center of attention and is rarely shy (just like Jimmy). Ethan is always willing and ready to help me out around the house, he is a very hard worker bee (wether I want it or not), unfortunately for him I think he also has my tendency to be obsessive compulsive with cleaning and organizing... Ethan is adding words to his vocabulary all the time, he likes to help dress and undress himself, is taking an interest in the potty and "elimination" functions, LOVES to vacuum & dust & help with the laundry (especially throwing the laundry down over the railing from the 2nd floor (thanks for showing him that Jimmy!), and is very interested in how things work. Unfortunately that does mean learning to undo the childproof locks...but he is quick to point out when I forget to lock them and he "corrects" the situation by locking up for me... He can also climb into his booster seat and lock the buckles, however he prefers to sit in a regular chair. Ethan still is climbing EVERYTHING...we think he has some kind of "spider sense". Ethan also is very into mimicing what we do...he likes to have his drink in hand while "reading"... We are trying to prepare him for the baby to be as best we can and to this point he seems to be excited...

Summer visit...

Holly, Joey, & Ryan visited us for a long weekend. Ethan very much enjoyed playing with "Ry" although his actions didn't always match his thoughts...we are working on keeping our hands to ourselves, trying not to screem when we don't get our way, and of course sharing. Ryan is a wonderful role model and we feel extremely bad that our sons less than expected behavior landed Ryan in record breaking time outs...

We enjoyed a trip to the Philly Zoo with one of the craziest trips in rush hour traffic back... how am I ever going to be able to handle 2 kids!! The rest of the time we spent hanging out and catching up. Jimmy & Joey were even able to fit in a round of golf. The time always goes by soo fast! (Holly I hope you don't mind I pirated some of your photos!)