Thanksgiving + 15 mo. checkup

We had a great Thanksgiving with Andy and Kimra and their family in South Beloit, Illinois. We started our drive Wednesday after Jason submitted a project and arrived 8 hours later. We ended up driving through Chicago and it was pretty interesting to drive the expressway over the city. It made me wish we had made it there while the sun was still up. We enjoyed great food and great company--such a nice, fun, and relaxing weekend. We made a full weekend of it and didn't drive home until Monday. I must admit that it was nice taking a break from our normally busy Sunday schedule.

Our Thanksgiving Feast! Thanks Kimra!

Yummy Thanksgiving desserts

Our attempt to go sledding on a neighbor's hill. It didn't last long since the wind was bitter cold.

Ethan and Grant. I think their faces say it all. :) Grant loved playing with "Baby Ethan"

Forts in the front room while watching The Polar Express

Playing ball in the church gym

Enjoyed Ethan's first hockey game, he watched it more than we thought

Playing Christmas songs with Kimra's hand chimes -- Ethan also recently learned how to back up and sit down on chairs --so cute to watch him

Ethan just turned 16 months a few days ago. His molars have been coming in and that has made it a rough week for both of us. He just started exerting more independence and backing it up with some decent tantrums. It makes me a little worried about what the next year and a half will bring as he realizes that he can't always get what he wants when he wants it. Such a hard lesson for all of us!

On the bright side, he has been trying a lot more to say words, and the words he does say are becoming a little more clear. He loves farm animals, blinking lights, big balls, books, baths, and "cooking" with mom. He has become quite attached to me recently and always seems to want me or to sit on my lap. If Jason gets him after a nap, Ethan immediately comes looking for me after Jason changes his diaper. We love trips to the library and the librarians all recognize Ethan, too. It's fun to watch Ethan grow and develop. His smiles and giggles are adorable, even if he makes us work to get them. :)

15.6 month stats

Weight   27.4 lbs    81%tile
Height    31.5 in     56%tile
Head      19.1 in      80%tile

Trying to do his hair like Mommy

The Pantry - aka Ethan's play closet - he organizes it himself --wait, make that disorganizes it :)

Our first big snow storm of the season -- don't you just love those cheeks!

Having fun making faces at the camera

Halloween + Zoo trip

So, I know it's a been a little over a week since Halloween, which already seems like a month ago, but I want to post our Halloween pictures anyway. Ethan was a cute little dinosaur for Halloween and it fit his stage of walking perfectly since he still toddles around rocking back and forth as he walks.

We went trick-or-treating at our library for a little while on Halloween night. Ethan held out his bag and then examined everything that got put in his bag. Since we don't give him candy or chocolate, he wasn't that thrilled with his treats unless they were nerds or some box that made a noise when he shook it. He didn't love having the hood on his head, but he was a good sport about it. :)

Kind of blurry, but still a cute dinosaur

Ethan checking out his loot at the library

Picture in the Children's area of the library on Halloween night

The week after Halloween we also took a trip to the zoo with our friends, the Hymas family. We went on probably the last warm day of the season. We saw animals that we didn't get to see last time and just enjoyed the scenery and the company. Our trip was complete with a yummy lunch and train ride.

We squished together in one car and Ethan had so much fun sitting between Hailey and Tyler!

Some of the cool animals we saw this trip

Lindsey, Tyler, and Hailey

Saying hello to the elephants

And finally, just a picture to remember the last two weeks of Ethan's interest in brooms and sweeping... an interest that led him to learn how to open doors so he could get to the brooms. He is not sweeping quite as much now, but unfortunately his trips to the pantry are still on the rise. :)

Some double broom action, since one broom is just not enough when you have two hands.