Thirteen Months..ALREADY!!

Ethan is now thirteen months old (well technically thirteen and a half months)!! He is growing too fast and looking more and more like a little boy on a daily basis. He is learning more words and is walking (taking steps) on a daily basis. His favorite way to get around though is still crawling. He can now say a hand full of words (da-da, ma-ma, puppy (pup), balloon (ba-oon), and bye-bye.) Outside is his favorite place to be and he loves animals (especially dogs). He loves pushing things, playing soccer or with any round ball for that matter, and playing with his toy cars/trucks. He is such a joy and continues to amaze me. I am grateful for God entrusting me with Ethan and I love every moment with him. Here are some new pictures at thirteen months old.

Laughing at Daddy!

"Helping" Mommy put the CD's back in the stereo

Ethan chillin in his ball cap

Ethan and his new friend Tigger

Walking hand in hand with Daddy

We're having a GIRL!!!

I am thrilled to let everyone know we are having a baby girl! We are so excited. The ultrasound technician had a difficult time finding out the sex of the baby. The baby would not cooperate at first. Everything looked great on the sonogram and we are right on schedule. Little Eliana Michal is due at the end of August. The dates are consistently between August 21st - August 28th. I am excited to have a little girl to dress up in cute little dresses and put little bows in her hair. This being said, I have a feeling that she will not be a girly girl and will follow after her momma and love sports, playing in the mud, riding her bike, and following after her big brother Ethan. I also have a feeling that this little girl will melt her daddy's heart (mark my words ;-)!!).

Inquiring minds want to know

By this time on Wednesday, I will know whether this little one growing inside of my belly is a boy or a girl! I am so nervous and excited for Wednesday to get here. I do not know how I waited the entire pregnancy with Ethan to find out. The suspense is driving me crazy. I know that no matter if this baby is a girl or a boy we are going to love little Eliana or Gabriel as much as we love Ethan. It is amazing to feel him/her moving inside of me and see my ever expanding belly as the baby grows. I am completely and utterly humbled to have this experience not just once but twice now. Sure the second pregnancy is different but just as exciting! Words can not express how grateful I am to have the honor of bringing life into this world. Stay tuned to see what the Lord has in store for us.

Doesn't it make you feel good?

This evening Ethan was standing at the window looking at all the cars, which he loves to do, when I look up and this couple are in their car smiling at him and waving. I know it is prideful but I love when other people think Ethan is adorable. It makes this momma proud for some reason. You see Josh and I (well with God's help) brought Ethan into this world and are the ones primarily responsible for raising him. When someone says "he is so cute" or "he is such a laid back baby" or "look at those blue eyes" I think yep "He is my son!!!" I know that as the years pass and I hear things (all good of course!) about what type of boy, young man, man he is becoming I will feel the same way. It is such an amazing feeling to have someone compliment your child and to think you had a hand in their upbringing. I wonder if God feels the same way when someone compliments one of us. "Yes, that is my beloved daughter who I dearly love. Didn't I do such a wonderful job in creating her?"

Bottle Free

Well, it is official Ethan is off the bottle (his baby bottle that is ;-)!!) He had been drinking a bottle in the morning and somtimes at night but we were giving him his sippy cup at all the other times. Josh gave him his sippy cup Saturday morning and he did well so we decided it is time to put the bottles away. He will not drink the entire cup full of milk at one sitting but he eventually finishes the cup. Just another sign my little boy is growing up! Now, when can we stop using diapers ;-)!!