Ethan's first haircut

Today Adam took Ethan to get his first haircut! Adam got his cut first to show him that it wouldn't hurt...well, that didn't help at all, he still had a miserable time with it. He looks absolutely adorable though!

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

For the Record Books!

I asked Ethan tonight if he wanted to watch a Blues Clues show....he said "No". This is a monumental day in the life of Ethan!:)

Cute Jammies!

Bennett looked so cute in his sleeper, we had to take pictures. Ethan used to wear this. It is 0-3 months size. I wish I had a picture of Ethan with it on.

So serious:)

Usbourne Book Party

At one time, probably over a year ago now, I vowed to never again "host" a party of any kind, no matter what the product. Candles, home decor, NEVER AGAIN I SAID....and now look at me! I am hosting a book show.

Several weeks ago I went to a friend's Usbourne book party and the consultant asked me to host one for her. Most of you know I hate to disappoint, and I'm really a sucker for children's books. I loved the quality of the books and the idea of being able to earn a little credit to buy a few for the boys hooked me right in!:)

So, on Tuesday night at 6:30 I am having a book party at my house. If you are reading this, you are invited:) If you don't live close to me, which most people do not, you can look at and order the books online at: http://www.ubah.com/R2895 under my name, Emily Thilges until Friday, August 29th.

You won't have to wait long to receive your books. My sister ordered last week and they arrived at her house 2 days later! I know that sounds so "sales ladyish" but I can't help it, I actually really like these books. Don't forget, Christmas is just around the corner....sorry, that's my last sales pitch for the night, I promise.

Daycare Fun

One of Ethan's daycare friends turned 2 last week and they got to celebrate with cupcakes. Leia said that Ethan didn't really want to eat his, and she had to capture the mess he made!

Bennett's Health Update

We took Bennett for his 4-month well-child exam on Wednesday, August 20. That morning he woke up with a 101.4 temp, he wasn't feeling the best. He didn't get to have his vaccinations but he got his blood counts tested to look for infection. Dr. Nau couldn't find anything wrong, so we will have to go back next week to get his shots done.

About a month ago I was having some concerns about how much sleep Bennett seemed to need. He was sleeping 17-19 hours a day at about 4 months old. We took him to his pediatrician and he decided to check his thyroid hormone levels. A couple of days later we found out that his TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was mildly elevated (6.23 with the range being .32-5.6). We had him tested a week later only to find that it was at 1.7, a normal level. This week we had it tested again and it was
1.6, normal again! I am so thankful.

Bennett continues to do what he should be doing. He is laughing and talking up a storm. He doesn't hold his head up very well on his tummy yet and he isn't rolling over but Dr. Nau doesn't seem overly concerned about that. We just need to practice more even though Bennett isn't a fan of tummy time!

He is in the 5th percentile for his weight and 10th percentile for his height and head circumference. Dr. Nau feels that he has had good linear growth, we are all anxious to see how he grows. We won't go back to the geneticist until Bennett is a year old.

When I look at Bennett I am overjoyed at my miracle. Not everyone gets to hold a miracle in their arms every day. He is a constant reminder of how powerful God is and how He loves us so much.

Ethan's Quilt

This is the other quilt that my friend made for Ethan when he was born. I tried so hard to get a nice shot of him with it, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a 2 year old to sit still!:) Bennett and Ethan are so blessed to have such loving and caring people in their lives that make them beautiful things!

Pictures

On Sunday we got pictures taken of the boys up on UNI campus. Ethan enjoyed running around like a crazed 2 year old and Bennett was a perfect angel through it all. If you want to see our cutie pies go to: www.infiniteimagedesign.com
At the bottom right of the home page click on "Online Gallery" and then on "Ethan and Bennett". The password is: thilges

Bennett's quilt

A friend of mine from work made Ethan and Bennett each a quilt when they were born. She asked me to take pictures of them with the quilts for her scrapbook. I have yet to get a good one of Ethan with his, but here are some of Bennett. Shelley has quite a talent for quilting, they are each beautiful and unique. On the bottom corner of Bennett's is his name and this Bible verse: "~and he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16
Bennett's name means "Little Blessed One". He has been touched by God and is such a blessing, I thought Shelley picked the perfect verse.

4 Months Old!

Ethan's 2nd Birthday Party

Ethan had a great 2nd birthday party. We had to do a Blues Clues theme, of course. Here are Ethan and I the morning of his party.

Ethan loved blowing on the party favor whistles. He had to blow with all of his might! He slobbered on almost all of the favors before the guests had even arrived. We also had Blues Clues tatoos!
Ethan got many great gifts. He loves all of his new puzzles, his pretend food, bubble mower, chair, and red tricycle that Grandma and Grandpa Smith got him.
This is Ethan's friend Arabella. She and her family were able to come and enjoy the party.

Everyone enjoying supper together.

Ethan's Aunt Erin made his birthday cake. She did an excellent job! Ethan said it was,

"Deeeee-lish!"

A little nervous when everyone sang to him.I can't believe my baby is 2 years old. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

Ethan is 2!!

Cuddle Bugs

Bennett and Ethan are both being so cuddly today. That's the norm for Ethan, but for Benne to be that way...I feel privileged! He is Mr. Independent, hardly ever wants to be held. He sat in the glider after he got done nursing this morning for almost a half an hour talking with me. I am cherishing all of these moments in the final days of my summer vacation.

All about Ethan

* Ethan's favorite CD right now is "Sesame Street's Platinum All-time Favorites". I am certain that he knows the words to every song and would sing each word if he could only sing that fast. He hits the last word of every phrase and tries his hardest to sing the rest. On the top of his list are, "The Monster in the Mirror" sang by Grover ( "Wubba, Wubba, Wubba, wubba,woo, woo, woo"- I sing it in my sleep) and "Elmo's Song," sang by that sweet red monster himself.

* Ethan has finally given up his morning nap. The week of July 21st we were going back and forth a little bit, but since then he hasn't taken one. He usually sleeps 2 1/2- 3 hours in the afternoon.

* Mommy and Daddy have had to decide lately when Ethan is done with meals. If you ask him if he is done, he says no, but it is very apparent with the way he is playing with his food that he has no intentions of eating it. Green beans get ground in with applesauce, Manwich becomes a masterpiece on his tray, and then he starts to test each food item to see if they will bounce.

* Before Ethan goes to sleep at night he lines up all of his 6 "babies" in his crib, gives each one a kiss, has us give each one a kiss, puts the blanket on top of them, and then lays right on them. He does the same thing every night!

*Ethan really likes to drink ice water!

* He has the sweetest manners. He says "thank you" for everything and "please" like a champ. I have to say however, that "no" is still in his Top 5.

* Ethan is the most regular child I have ever met, just like his father. I can almost bet money that he is going to poop right after lunch before 12:30.

* He enjoys coloring and drawing the most. He can almost draw a perfect circle. He has started to draw snakes lately too! Pretty sure we have a lefty on our hands.

* He likes to eat fresh vegetables. He enjoys lettuce, sugar snap peas, green peppers, tomatoes, and carrots. He likes to dip them in ranch. Everything is better with ranch!

* Favorite books: My Little People lift-the-flap books, Get to Work Trucks by Don Carter, I Spot- Blue's Clues seek-and-find, The Sound of Day, The Sound of Night by Mary O'Neill

* Other favorite things to say: "Cool", "Back Bend"- when daddy is putting on his pants while he is laying down, "Booo, w0rk!", "Deeeeee-lish"- when something is really tasty, "Uh-Oh, Spagetti O's!" Ethan also loves to say the names of people in his family.

* Ethan loves watching Blues Clues and again, loves to sing all of the songs from the show.

* Still loves pasta! Loves hamburgers, chicken with dip, steak, green beans, rice, pancakes and sausage, oatmeal, pizza, and garlic bread. I actually got him to eat part of a sandwich the other day! Still doesn't like cold-cut sandwiches, but he will sometimes eat a part of a sloppy joe or BBQ beef/pork sandwich.

* Ethan loves to play in the sand or dirt. He would be happy if he could just live outdoors. He is in awe of everything and I find it amazing to watch him learn.

* He is sensitive and caring towards his little brother. He has never been harsh with him, always gently touches him and gives him kisses on his head.

All about Bennett

*Bennett is really starting to find his voice and can be very loud at times. He seems so proud of himself after he gives a good squeal.

* He is starting to be able to grasp objects and has found that his hands, not only come together, but he can purposely put them in his mouth. You can tell he is in pure awe of this task!:)

* Bennett likes to have his face covered by a blanket. That is a sure way to calm him down when he is really tired. He likes to sway from side to side, not much for rocking, but for some reason, likes to sway. He is still burying his face when tired too!

* Likes to be patted on the bottom, kind-of fast. This also inevitably assists in releasing gas and poop!:)

* Likes to be swaddled for naps and bedtime. At first he hated being swaddled, but now, if he gets his arm out during a nap he will wake up and fuss. Adam has perfected the tightest swaddle I have ever seen. He says it isn't a good swaddle unless Bennett grunts at the end!

* Likes to have noise while he rests. We play music and have a white noise machine or fan going while he sleeps.

*Doesn't really like to be held much- only when he wants, on his terms. :) Ethan loved to be held even when playing. Bennett likes to play best just laying on a blanket with you.

* Bennett burps fast if you sit him up on your lap. I try to burp him up on my shoulder and it takes so much longer. Another way that Ethan and Bennett are different.

*Bennett gets the hiccups a lot!!! Sometimes they really start to make him mad, especially when they have hung on for a really long time.

* Right now, Bennett will nurse, play, and then take a nap. He is a sleepy-head (more about that in another post), so he usually only stays up for about an hour, including feeding time, and he is ready to rest. When we lay Bennett down for a nap, we swaddle him, put him in his crib, put a blanket up by his face, and give him a kiss. He falls asleep on his own in just a couple of minutes. You can tell when he is tired because of the way that he talks to you. It is a pleading talk! He will cry for only a minute or two if you catch him at the right moment.

* He likes to have the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" sung to him. He loves music and loves watching his brother and mommy dance.

* Loves to have his arms played with. Adam almost ALWAYS can get him to laugh by doing "S00000 BIG" with his arms.

*Bennett has already had 3 "hair-cuts" to Ethan's ZERO...he gets these little balls of hair on the back of his head from when he rubs his head back and forth before falling asleep. It is the funniest thing because all we can do is cut them out.

* I hate to even write this but, because we have a bigger T.V. Bennett really likes it. It is sad when your T.V. is big enough that your 3 month old can watch it!

*Loves watching his big brother...they are going to best pals some day.

Being my overly-anxious self I have begun writing down all the things that Bennett and Ethan are doing right now for Leia, before I go back to work and they go to daycare next week. I started a list and thought that it would be fun to post it on the blog so I can always look back at it and remember. Nothing special, just little things. So my next two posts are going to be "All about Bennett" and "All about Ethan", for Leia, myself, and all of you. :)