Our little man is getting bigger every day!  He is definitely much more little boy than baby.  I am amazed at how much he is leaning every day and the ways he communicates with us.

Ethan is starting to walk very well and even tries to run.  He frequently gets going too fast and falls a lot.  He is a bit clumsy and his gross motors skills don’t seem to be quite as refined as he would like them to be.  The poor thing has had several bruises from his injuries.  He seems to be advancing more quickly with his fine motors skills and loves doing things where he can practice.  One of his favorite games is taking the pump out of a lotion bottle and putting it back in.  He is doing really well feeding himself with a spoon (though he usually gives up and uses his hands) and does well holding and scribbling with crayons (though he prefers pens).  He also enjoys his shape sorter and especially loves “stirring” a bowl with a spoon.  Ethan still loves reading books and lately wants to read the same book over and over, 3 or 4 times before I tell him we need to pick another.

Ethan is becoming more and more chatty.  Daycare frequently tells us that he spent the whole daying saying mommy and daddy.  Ethan repeats almost every word we say.  He is picking up more words to his vocabulary and some words he repeats and likes to say even though he doesn’t have an association with an object.  New additions to his vocabulary are apple, down (dow), snack (na), no (na) and milk (mee).  He is also starting to sign “more” though he usually says more while he is signing.  We are working on the names of our family and he is doing well with Oma and Lorelei (yeh yeh).  Ethan is also perfecting a very whiney version of mommy.

Ethan is slowly becoming more independent but still loves being with his mama.  Some days are a bit of a struggle as all he is happy doing is reading books or being held.  He does enjoy getting out of the house.  We go to the library about once a week.  We are lucky to have such a great library with story time and lots of other activities for kids.  They have a nice play room with a train table and an area with big blocks to build towers (and knock down).  We recently got a membership to the Children’s Museum and Ethan loves to go and play.  It is challenging, however, because no matter where we go Ethan is determined to find the one thing he shouldn’t play with.  And since he is so clumsy I have to stay close to him so he doesn’t get hurt.

Ethan is doing really well eating – as long as he is eating something he likes.  His favorite foods include graham crackers, waffles, yogurt, cereal and muffins.  He still refuses to eat any fruits or veggies unless they are in puree form.  I’ve decided to stop fighting him and let him eat what he will and try to focus on him eating healthy.  He does have a sweet tooth and will devour anything that is sweet when he is allowed to.  He especially loves chocolate!  I was a terrible eater as a kid so I guess this is my repayment!

I am happy to report that Ethan is back to sleeping like a champ!  He will sleep 11-12 hours overnight and then take a 2-3 hour nap around 1.

We are all getting very excited for Christmas.  Even though this is not Ethan’s first Christmas it feels as though it is.  Last year I was so sleep deprived I barely remember Christmas.  And even though Ethan won’t understand what is going on, I know he’s going to love the excitement and he is going to love his toys!

The whiney face I’m seeing way too often these days (though it’s still pretty darn cute).

Ethan loves this bear at the library!

Playing in a boat at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Ethan enjoying some ice cream and showing off his newest bruise.