11 months

I can't believe my baby boy is almost a year! 

Ethan at 11 months:

• Loves loves the park
• Is so close to walking - pushes anything and everything (including random strollers at the park)
• Great eater - favorite foods include: Blueberries, pancakes with jam, mandrain oranges, ice cream (don't worry we don't give it to him very often)
• Still nurses before naps, at night, and in the morning. 
• Takes one to two naps a day - anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes 
• Is finally sleeping through the night - at least when Chris and I are on the air mattress in the living room...we're still working on all of us being in the same room...needless to say a one bedroom apartment isn't the best idea...
• Says ma ma, da da, and daww (dog) - at least I think 
• Has already begun to throw tantrums - especially when I'm trying to change him
• Loves balls and trucks. 
• Is really good a playing catch, has great aim and a good arm for such a little guy
• Has an adorable laugh and finds the simplest things hilarious - such as throwing a ball 
• Every now and again he scrunches his nose and starts to fake laugh - it's the cutest thing
• Went through a phase (for a month or so) where he would get so excited or happy and ball up his fists, flex his arms and grit his teeth with a huge smile - it was pretty priceless 

We have our tough moments every now and again, where he is throwing a tantrum or not sleeping but more often than not he is the happiest little boy and brings us so much joy! I am so blessed and so grateful to be his mom! 

Christmas

 We had a great time in Utah celebrating Christmas with family. We are so fortunate to have two amazing families. Ethan absolutely loves his aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. He loves all the attention and loves to explore new places. I don't think he knew what was going on Christmas morning but he sure loves his new toys!  Enjoy the picture overload : )

Ethan reading the Hobbit 

My baby sister Alysa, got a sewing machine for Christmas and made this blanket for Ethan (with a little help from my mom)

Ethan with Aunt Haley


Ethan loved playing with Aunt Megan. I know I know Ethan shouldn't have favorites, but he seems to like Megan the best (at least on my side), we think its because we look alike. Or maybe because Megan's carrying his little boy cousin that will be born any day now.

Playing with Megan. He thought the tennis balls pouring out of the container was hilarious! Oh the simple joys in life!

Ethan is now 10 and a half months old and so much fun! He absolutely loves the outdoors. In fact, he throws a mini tantrum almost every time we walk inside (you can't really blame him, we're in a one bedroom apartment, there's not much to do inside...) He loves the park.  He had his first (of many, I'm sure) park accident, the day before we left for Utah. He climbed up on a cement curb and face planted on the other side. His poor nose and upper lip were scrapped up. He's such a tough little guy and after a minute or so of me comforting him, he wanted to get back down to play. 

 Ethan is crawling everywhere and is starting to climb. He is getting close to walking and loves his new walking toy from Grandma and Grandpa Lindley.

Chris was teaching him how to use the toy and he would walk across the room and then look back at Chris with a grin on his face, as if to say "look dad! I did it." It was so cute! And melted Chris's heart. 

Ethan wasn't a huge fan of the snow. Well I think he actually wasn't huge fan of his snowsuit. We took him sledding with my parents and sisters and let's just say he'll probably like it more next year...
To his credit, my dad took him down a hill and crashed at the bottom...he was done after that. My dad held him up the whole time so really it wasn't a big deal, he just got snow on his face which I'm sure wasn't the best surprise for him.

Since we came home from Utah before Chris had to go back to work, we were able to spend a couple of days relaxing together. On one of the days we went to San Francisco and hiked Lands End. If you haven't been and live in the area, you have to go. It was such a fun little hike and was absolutely gorgeous! These pictures do not do it justice at all!