Christmas 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas with four days back to back of family parties. We all got some wonderful gifts and are so thankful. We have especially loved having Mike at home with us since Dec 20th. he heads back to work January 2nd and we are all definitely going to miss him. 

Here are a few of Ryan's favorites gifts this year: 

Toy story Woody doll, Toy Story 2 movie, His spy set (with watch, binoculars, walkie talkies, and flashlight), Sesame Street digital camera, Lots of puzzles (we are doing all of them every day it seems), Sesame Street activity toy, Play Lawn mower, Large doodler with magnets, Thomas trains, Write and glow tent, Thomas tent, and all his books (and Ethan's). (Mom loves all the new clothes too!)

Ethan seems mostly fond of his clothing (Mom is anyways), new Sophie giraffe teether, and fish mirror- he has many other toys and books that have been put back for a later time. His rattle and links are fun toys currently. Ryan really enjoys Ethan's new large teddy bear which looks precious in E's room. 

I received a new iPad courtesy of my sweet husband, several pieces of my Arthur Court grapes pattern (which is a pewter set of serving pieces), a new coat, new black shoes, hurricane vases for our formal dining, pj's, the angel and stand to complete my Willow Tree nativity, Christmas ornaments and a new Point of Grace Christmas album. 

Mike received a Ruger 9mm (for home protection and target shooting down at the ranch), a folding ladder, iPhone 5 case, Apple TV, new TCU flag, Thomas Dean TCU dress shirt, Colonial and In n Out shirts, several gift cards and lots of black socks (it was the year of black socks-pretty funny)

We also received family gifts of a new mattress pad, two new pillows, bathroom towels and rugs. The boys received money for their college funds as well. 

We truly have enjoyed some fun times and yummy food with family the past few weeks and are so thankful for all our blessings this holiday season. We are especially thankful that God sent his Son, Jesus, the first and most perfect gift that we celebrate this season. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and enjoy a wonderful New Year as we ring in 2013!!

Ethan is 3 months old!

Our little cutie pie is now 3 months old! It is so hard for me to believe how quickly time seems to be flying by. Ethan is such a great baby. He is happy and snuggly and looks to have Dad's humor like Ryan already. He has the sweetest smile and a precious laugh. I already love him so much and can't imagine him not being a part of our family. He overall seems to be fairly laid back and can be put off some unlike his brother at this phase. He has slept through the night a handful of times, but isn't consistent and seems to change up his schedule weekly. We had the biggest changes to his sleeping schedule after I dealt with mastitis again this month.  An average night is going to bed around 7:30pm and sleeping 6-8hrs to his first feeding and then will nurse again in 3-4 hrs. He is usually up between 7:30-8am each morning regardless of feeding times. He typically naps around 10am for an hour, sometimes two, then either two more 1 hr naps throughout the afternoon or one 2-3hr nap starting around 1/1:30pm.

Accomplishments for Ethan this month included rolling over from his tummy to his back (Dec 13), laughing (week before Thanksgiving), and grasping his rattle and other toys on his bouncer. He is really aware of the people around him and follows us around the room. He has great neck/head control and has started to enjoy tummy time a little more as well as pulling up to a sitting position and even standing some. He is especially fond of his big brother and is already finding him amusing and will smile or laugh when he sees him. I am thinking these two boys will be best buds as time progresses. I am a little nervous that Ethan's laughing at Ryan may prompt some unwanted behaviors though. Ryan is going to LOVE all the attention Ethan gives him, I can tell already.


Regarding sizes, Ethan is wearing 3-6 month clothing and 6 months in his sleepers. He is finishing out our last bag of size 1 diapers and then we are switching to our size 2's. On Dec 18th he had an outpatient surgery at USMD FW where they performed his circumcision with a small correction. He did great and is currently still recovering with some fussiness, but overall is doing good. During pre-op they took his measurements and he was 15 lbs with his clothes and diaper on and 25.25inches long! Our sweet boy is growing fast and is sure to be tall like brother and his Daddy! I am trying to soak in each moment with our sweet boy, but I also look forward to watching him grow and change each month. What a blessing Ethan is to us. Thank you, Lord!