The Best Laid Plans...

Our family has had a rough last couple weeks, and poor Ethan's birthday suffered because of it. We had planned a super hero party, and Ethan got a full Ironman costume for his gift. He got a "big boy" hair cut. Food was bought, party favors ready, the makings of a Bat Cave in process. I had my dear friend, Elizabeth, make Ethan a Batman birthday cake, and my parents picked it up on their way to celebrate with us. Unfortunately, the night before Ethan's party, he woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. The next morning Owen started. So, my parents went home and we canceled the party. I did 9 loads of laundry in the 24 hour period... All Ethan wanted to do was to eat his cake, so by the end of the day we let him have a little bite. I felt so sorry for him!

The following week, the boys and I went to Oklahoma while Chris was out of town on business. We planned on celebrating Ethan's birthday with my family then...until my mom got sick. (this is the SECOND time we've given my parents the flu!) So the boys and I packed up and headed back to AR to let her be sick in peace. My dad got sick the next day. (SORRY, parents!) Needless to say, we didn't have a family party for Ethan.

Ethan's handled it quite well. We're going to try again when the weather warms up. Until then, I am praying like crazy against all illness!

3 Years Old!

My little man turned three years old! I have felt a bit nostalgic the past week or two and have been going through pictures and journal entries of Ethan's life. It's been crazy seeing how he's changed but has yet stayed the same independent, easy going but passionate baby that he was. His single-mindedness has only increased with each year...last year we were PASSIONATE about anything and everything sports, and this year we only have super heroes on our mind. He knows every theme song to all the super heroes as well as who they are when they're not saving the world (ie: Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne). He's now trying to learn how to temper some of the passion especially when it comes to having to do things he doesn't want to do! And he's been such a good big brother to Owen. I think he can hardly wait for Owen to get bigger so they can wrestle...

He told me tonight as he was getting ready for bed that he would never marry a girl and that I was his "Mary Jane" (from Spiderman). If that doesn't melt a mom's heart, I don't know what will.

Could it be?

Could I have another little artist in the house?? Okay, so it's probably waaaay too early to tell, but a mom can dream. Owen has enjoyed standing at the easel, holding a crayon or piece of chalk, and bouncing while his hand marks the board. Of course he also enjoys dumping it all on the ground and putting an occasional piece in his mouth too...like I said, a mom can dream.

Christmas Pt 2 & Nanny

This year, Christmas with Chris' side of the family was over-shadowed with the passing of his grandmother, Wilma Sue Smither. It's still pretty surreal that she's gone. She was a strong woman who loved her family to pieces. Going to Mulberry without her there isn't going to be the same. (this is a picture of her with Debbie and Ethan last Christmas)

We did have a good time with Pa D. Owen LOVED being on the pool table. Anytime he was put on the ground, he would yell until someone would pick him up...then he'd lunge for the table. I think it's b/c he could actually see everything that was going on. He also was initiated into the grandkid's favorite past-time...drinking out of Pa D's cup. He wasn't really sure what to think of it, but he kept going back for more.

Ethan, of course, loved playing with his big cousins. He seemed to be Adam's shadow the bulk of the time we were there. This is a picture of them "rocking out" to singing dog.

Christmas Pt 1

This year was our year to spend Christmas day with the Dodson clan. We ended up going to Stillwater early to beat the "Blizzard of '09". It was fun getting my parents to ourselves for a few days and to let Ethan experience snow to its fullest. My brothers and their families arrived on Christmas day, and we had a blast eating my mom's amazing food and opening gifts. Claire, being 110% all-girl, opened her shopping cart, purse and tea set and played quietly by herself the entire time. Jack and Ethan, however, absolutely loved their knight costumes and spent the bulk of the time with Uncle Josh sword fighting. I can't remember laughing so much... Owen seemed to enjoy taking it all in and trying join in the fun. The poor guy couldn't keep up with the big guys, and since he couldn't fit into Claire's shopping cart, she wasn't all that interested in playing with him!

My parents watched the grandkids one the nights so we could all go out. We hit the Stillwater "hot spot" - the wine bar - and enjoyed good conversation and watching all the random Stillwater alums walk in the door. It was such a fun time with everyone, it left me wanting more. Which is probably a good thing...I think it means we didn't overstay our welcome...

10 Months

Man, I can't seem to keep up with the months! Owen has had another big month full of learning to pull up on to everything, starting to crawl (although his "Army crawl" is still his preferred method of getting around), and walking while someone holds his hands. You can see his frustration as his brother runs circles around him and he can't keep up. He says "momma", "da da", and "bye bye" pretty clearly. We could have sworn he said Batman last week too...oh, his big brother was so proud! Owen seemed to enjoy his first Christmas - wrapping paper was much more fun than any gift he got, of course. And he also got experience his first snow, although the closest he got was looking at it through the window. It's crazy to think that in two months we'll be celebrating his first birthday!