Happy, Happy, Happy

One of the first things I learned about Ethan after meeting him was that he was a happy boy. And better yet loves to share his happy. 

Before words, he would catch my eye with a smile and make my whole world. Never mind that the overnight bottles were still dirty at 3pm. Or that the two shirts with spit up were still on the floor. One look at that sweet dimpled smile and the sun was shining down on our day. 

Ethan shares his happy everywhere he goes... at the park, at home, at the grocery store.
 
We'll just be shopping and talking and all of a sudden I notice someone looking our way. At first I think it's the yoga pants and no make-up that catches their eye.  But no it's Ethan. They are smiling as if saying thank you. Thank you for making their day with his happy. My mommy heart fills up every. single. time.

I vividly remember one day when a bad mood caught me by surprise.  Ethan was at the crawling stage and I was still getting the hang of balancing being a mommy, a wife, and a working girl that needed a daily shower. The wave of ugly came on quick and without warning. I noticed it and quickly put myself in the timeout chair - literally. Travis noticed me sitting there with my arms crossed and let me be.  (He's great like that) He and Ethan just kept playing and laughing. I was sitting there wanting to smile but physically couldn't. 

Then all of a sudden Ethan stopped, looked at me and smiled. 

With his one smile he was telling me how much he loved me. With one smile he was telling me it was all going to be okay. The ugly wave disappeared and I thanked God for showing His love through my child - through His child.

Words cannot describe the gratitude in my heart for my Ethan Bear. I'm so thankful that God picked me to be his mommy. I always tell Ethan that God made him perfect for our family. He just sparkles!

It was a hot one...

We are finally on the healthy side of fever road otherwise known as Roseola. 

What a week! 

It all started last-last weekend with a late night mild fever. We went to bed hoping it was teeth related since there had been some crazy drooling. But Saturday early morning the fever spiked into all sorts of highs.  And so began our fever fest.  

We rotated between the two pain meds and drank ice water like it was going out of style. 
We napped. 
We watched a lot of PBS shows. 
We got up to play for a few hours when we absolutely couldn't stand being still any longer. 
Then we napped some more.  

After the third day of high fever we took a trip to see the doctor...just in case.

Good news: nothing serious, just something viral that we needed to let run its course. 

Bad news: the fever could last up to 7 days.  Yikes!

Six days later the fever finally said its goodbyes and a complete body rash welcomed itself in.  That's when we knew it was Roseola (Well - actually one of my BFFs diagnosed him after hearing our story). I was thankful I didn't know at the time because it can apparently get pretty scary. And so we moved on to Benadryl for the itchiness. 

By Friday Ethan was back to normal and smiling again.  

Then Sunday morning came. We were playing on the bed and Ethan busted his lip on the window sill...not once...but twice! Bunny Boo Boo to the rescue and all was better. After being cooped up in the house all week it seemed we had traded fever road for cabin fever. So we ventured out to our new neighborhood park for some much needed fresh air.

A week and a half later he finally feels better and even looks better too. His mommy on the other hand is nursing a sore throat. 

It just never ends...

How did he learn?

I've been wondering how and when my sweet baby boy would learn to do All-Things Boy.  

I mean my playtime with Ethan usually involves books, colors, play dough, blocks, singing really loud, laughing. If we play with cars its only for a bit and then we move onto something else. Probably because mommy doesn't make cool car noises like daddy does.

Well after 20 months of knowing Ethan Bear I now know that the how would be my husband and the when was upon birth.  

Turns out he just knows! He knows to laugh at himself when he toots. He knows to giggle when he burps. He knows that the best way to play with cars is to use the wall as the road. He knows that soccer balls, basketballs, and footballs are the absolute best! The other night I learned that he also knows how to "stab" like you would do with a sword ... sound effects and all. Wow! Travis bought a multi-tool and had it sitting on his lap. Ethan just reached for it and started "playing". It was the funniest thing in the world. It was just the most normal thing to him.  Boys!

You know growing up with two brothers and now being a sister to three, this should not surprise me in the least. Yet, I'm amazed. Honestly I wouldn't want it any other way. Even though Travis will teach him all-things boy, I know that he will also teach him all-things man.  And for that I am grateful.

Dorm Living

Days ago our little family said goodbye to our house and moved into our new neighborhood.  The timing got a little off though in the old Sale/Buy dance and we were left "in-between" homes.  Thankfully we have family nearby that loves us and is willing to make room for us and share their home.   So here we are...


Dorm Living: Grown-Up Style.

Here at G-Hall (which happens to be about 3 blocks away from our future home) we like to have us some fun. There is on-going joke telling on all manner of topics.  I don't think I have laughed so much.
There are 8pm late night frozen custard ice cream runs because we are rebels like that.  Let's not talk about the fact that it took us two weeks to finally make this idea happen because of night time schedules. And then we had to get it To Go because we didn't want to interrupt bath time.
We have nightly family dinners.  We all pitch in and take turns playing chef.  It's really helping me see past the mac-n-cheese and ranch style beans we serve on a nightly weekly basis at the Irish Casa. The Ethanator loves him some beans and I am a mama that aims to please.  But just in case we fall into our old ways once we get out on our own, I have added a segue to my birthday wish list - with a basket for Ethan.  The "G" team can cook ya'll and did I mention that our new home is very near?  Who wants to bother with cars and roads when you can cut through the neighbors yard and be there in time for dinner.

On game days the "G" team likes to gear up in blue and orange while the "I" team tries to get the hang of this thing you people call fantasy football.    There is even an entire sports broadcast dedicated to this new phenomena   .... Who knew?!Of course no day is complete without the nightly family room social hour. And by social I mean pinning recipes and home decor ideas, football stat monitoring, liking pictures, and crushing those cute little candies.  All while "how was your day" stories are being shared.And we each have a role to play at G-Hall.  My contribution is laughter.  I've already shared the smelly story.  And then there was the time when we were talking about going to visit Paula Deen's restaurant. Gena and I were racking our brains trying to remember where it was.  Then Gena mentioned Georgia.  And I very seriously said "No, isn't it in Atlanta?".  Ya'll I was very serious about this.  Gena just stared at me for a bit as if saying "wait for it... wait for it...".  Then it finally dawned on me!  It still makes me giggle.

G-Hall is also home to Gena the fitness director, Jeremy the game day coordinator, and Travis the pantry stocker (sorry pumkin' but you really are the best grocery shopper ever).  The kids provide order to the dorm in terms of weekly school  schedules and Ethan likes to take pride in being our very own alarm clock .... At 4:30 am!  Thankfully the "G" team is unaware such an alarm clock exist.  Or at least that's what they keep telling us.  The best part is when we finally give up on sleep.  Take him downstairs for breakfast and he loudly whispers "shhhhh, uncle nite nite". 

I'm sure when our adventure is all said and done we will all need some quiet time...alone.  But until then we will enjoy our dorm living adventure and thank God for family like them.   G-Hall is also home to Gena the fitness director, Jeremy the game day coordinator, and Travis the pantry stocker (sorry pumkin' but you really are the best grocery shopper ever).  The kids provide order to the dorm in terms of weekly school  schedules and Ethan likes to take pride in being our very own alarm clock .... At 4:30 am!  Thankfully the "G" team is unaware such an alarm clock exist.  Or at least that's what they keep telling us.  The best part is when we finally give up on sleep.  Take him downstairs for breakfast and he loudly whispers "shhhhh, uncle nite nite".

I'm sure when our adventure is all said and done we will all need some quiet time...alone.  But until then we will enjoy our dorm living adventure and thank God for family like them.   G-Hall is also home to Gena the fitness director, Jeremy the game day coordinator, and Travis the pantry stocker (sorry pumkin' but you really are the best grocery shopper ever).  The kids provide order to the dorm in terms of weekly school  schedules and Ethan likes to take pride in being our very own alarm clock .... At 4:30 am!  Thankfully the "G" team is unaware such an alarm clock exist.  Or at least that's what they keep telling us.  The best part is when we finally give up on sleep.  Take him downstairs for breakfast and he loudly whispers "shhhhh, uncle nite nite". I'm sure when our adventure is all said and done we will all need some quiet time...alone.  But until then we will enjoy our dorm living adventure and thank God for family like them.  

Moving Brain

Yesterday morning was my first drive to work without Ethan school drop off duty since we have been in our new neighborhood. This means a new route with new traffic woes but most importantly ... new breakfast stops and a new Starbucks! Yay! Getting out of the door in time was very important. So I'm about to begin my road adventure when I remember that I have a bag of dirty diapers to take to the outside trash can. I decide it will be easier and quicker to use the front door. I walk around the house and well... the side gate won't open. I try and try but nope - not gonna happen. I decide to just throw the bag in my trunk and find a trash can later because the clock was ticking!  I follow the map and make it to work within a reasonable time. Yay me!  

I go to get in my car for a quick lunch trip to Target and OH the smell! Wow!  Apparently I underestimated the power of the one year old poop.  Did I mention I live in Texas?  Our summers are not what you would call mild.  I drove to Target with my windows down and suffered through the 100 degree weather in the name of fresh air.  At Target, the dirty diaper bag found a home in their parking lot trash can (lo siento Target/ I'm sorry Target) and my car got a new air freshener.  I never loved the smell of golden vanilla more!

When I told the story that night during the "how was your day" part of the evening - the family said through giggles "why didn't you just throw it over the fence?"... Well aren't they clever? I blame Moving Brain.

A Love Letter

Dear House,

Thank you for the many memories.  I walked in a single girl full of dreams.  I walk out a wife and mother full of beautiful memories.  Although we had our pain points, you know the need for lamps at 8 am and the closet of a master bath, you will always hold for me many great memories.   And for that I thank you.  

I was always impressed by the way you made room for the double banquet table during family holiday meals.  And you welcomed all of our people (aka family - both the we born with and the one we have chosen).  And then there was the time my brothers and nephew joined us on a family snow day.  There were a few inches of snow on the ground that the city was on lock down.  So we had a big family snowball fight in your backyard and ended the day all huddled around your fireplace on different sleeping pallets because the lights went out.   Then there was the time when you allowed me to fill every room with bridal magazines, wedding gifts and endless To Do lists.  You stood strong and kept our new family safe as we began our new adventure as parents and brought home our sweet boy.  I remember Ethan and I walking through your door for the very first time and introducing him to each and every room.   Our little guy soon knew to look for your trees from his car seat to let him know that we were home.  I loved the way he shouted "home!" every time we pulled into the garage.    I will always think of you and smile.   Thank You. 

And now -- well, it's someone else's turn.  May they love you and share with you many new memories.    We will carry ours in our hearts always. 

All our love,

Us