Tongue!?

This is what Ethan does when we ask him to stick out his tongue. He makes a "kissy" face, and he actually thinks he's sticking his tongue out. Ironically, when he kisses us on the cheek, he can't do it without an OPEN mouth, often with his tongue out.... Go figure:)

We're having a....

                                                          Cute, little feet....
Mushy, clay face
BOY!

Parks at the Park

We had another fun afternoon at the park. It's really hard to resist going there when the weather is SO PERFECT (in the 70's). We had subs and potato salad for our picnic. Ethan got smacked in the face with a swing (of course, when Daddy was watching him-- I love you , Joe:), but other than that, he loved it as usual. He's so independent and fearless; he'd walk right off the edge if we let him. Here's a short video with the pictures, showing how little he cared that we were even there. Oh, and I love how he walks like a little, baby drunkard in the sand....

Finally-- a Professional Haircut!

My little dude is finally stylin'! My friend, Brittney-- who happens to be a professional hairstylist-- generously volunteered to correct Joe's... uh... ambitious attempt. I wish I'd had my camera here while she was cutting it (he was draped in a cute, little zebra tarp-thingy), and sadly, she is not in these pictures, but maybe one day. Perhaps I shall have Joe mess up more often! I think he looks quite dapper. Very grown up. Much, MUCH nicer than if I were to cut it! He was very good, too-- just watching his baby video and occasionally eating the pieces of hair as they fell. So, thank you so much, Brittney! You did an amazing job:)

Please ignore my haircut... and Merry Christmas!

Before
After
Ethan didn't want to pose for a picture with his presents-- the blinds cord was WAY more interesting!
He was really heartbroken :(
Daddy gave him some of his candy to calm him down...
It's working....
                        It worked!

We had a fun Christmas together-- Ethan's second. And yes, his FATHER decided to cut his hair a few days before Christmas, so please ignore the "girl bangs." I comb it and gel it before we go out in public:) I always love spending time with family at this time of year and the joy we get to see on each others' faces. Celebrating Christ's birth is truly wonderful! And, just think, next year, I'll have TWO kids to buy for! 

An update on Ethan's stats: 15-month check-up

28 lbs 11 oz

His doctor says he's amazed at his continued growth. He also observed him as being a "daredevil," "extremely curious," and "EXTREMELY fearless." Yah, I could've told him that!

I found a Peanut...

Odd happenings

I had a rather odd experience today. We decided to take a lunch break to Peter Piper Pizza-- we never get to go on family outings, so we thought we'd treat ourselves. Joe took Ethan to the play area as I was finishing eating (yes, I can be a bit of a pig, I know). As I got up to start cleaning off our table, I noticed a tall, thin, black man walk into the restaurant. I felt his eyes on me from the moment he walked in as he strolled down the isle. He walked over to me and said, "Hey, do you work here?" I'd been worried that he'd spotted me alone and was going to try to sell me something. "No," was my obvious reply. "So, uh, what's your name?" was his attempt at a smooth transition. "Bethany," I answered. "My name's Daniel," he said. I made a small attempt at a smile and continued cleaning our table, hoping he'd go away. "So, do you have a boyfriend?" he questioned. Really? Had this guy just randomly walked by Peter Piper Pizza, spotted me, then walked in simply to try to hit on me? How odd. "No," I responded. "But I have a husband." "Oh, sorry," was his sheepish reply. He then turned around and walked back out of the restaurant. At this point, though feeling a bit weird, I have to admit I felt a bit flattered as well. I finished cleaning up, then I walked over to my family. I told the story to Joe, thinking he'd be proud that his wife "still had it." Instead, he was a bit freaked out that I'd given him my name. Okay, he knows my first name. What the heck can he do with that? I don't think he can do much. Anyway, then he was all paranoid as we walked out to our car, saying he thought the guy might try to follow us home or something. Man, and I thought I was the paranoid one. Then, I got to thinking. What if this man was a bad man? What if he was intentionally seeking lone women in an attempt to somehow lure them outside and then take them? Why else had he randomly come inside, his whole intent obviously to talk to me? I was first thankful that I was married and could have that as my excuse, and second I was thankful that I was happily married and had the morals and standards that wouldn't even allow me to consider to stray. What could have happened to me today if I had not been married-- or said that I wasn't? Would he somehow have been able to persuade me outside? What could have happened to me? I know this is all purely conjecture. Maybe he really was a decent guy seeking a relationship with a decent girl (that being me, of course:). Who knows? But, maybe not. I guess I'll never know, and perhaps I don't want to, anyway.