Ethan - 5 months

Ethan -

Hey little man. It’s amazing how fast the past five months have gone. You’re growing and changing daily.

We started this month out at the lake, celebrating July 4th and your Grandma Laurent’s birthday with your Grandma and Grandpa L, Aunt Maya, Uncle Pat, Zane and Jude. We had a great time and you’re starting to love the lake as much as your big brother. You even took your first dip in the lake.

This was a big month for you little man. You were baptized, you learn how to roll from your belly to your back, you had oatmeal for the first time, you started sitting up on your own (with pillows around you) and you had your first tooth pop though.

You were baptized at our church, New Hope, on July 24th with our family and friends watching over. You did well until the water was poured on your head. The first time your eyes opened wide, the second time your lip started to quiver and the third time you had enough and started to cry. After church we had lunch at our house with everyone and took pictures to celebrate.

Your sleeping habits haven’t really improved any over the past month, but you have decided your favorite sleeping position - your belly. I was a little nervous about this at first because you couldn’t roll back over if you needed to but that quickly changed. I heard you crying one night (July 18th) and when I peaked in at you I saw you push yourself up on your knees and flip to your back! Since then you’ve become quite a little mover…..

You love to eat - July 16th you joined Daddy, Camden and I at the dinner table for the first time. We had the camera charged and ready to go. I was so excited to take a picture of you taking your first bite of oatmeal. I remember how it was with your big brother, I thought you’d take one or two bites and be done. Boy was I wrong - After the first bite you started tapping the tray so excited for another bite. You even grabbed my hand to get the food to your mouth faster. Needless to say, you finished the entire bowl. Every night when I put you in your highchair you sit there, tapping your tray, patiently waiting for your bowl of oatmeal. So cute! I’m excited to see how you like veggies in a couple of months.

So let’s talk teeth – August 1st, one day before your 5 month birthday your first tooth popped through. I’ve been on the lookout for this to happen. Camden had two teeth pop through at about four months so I was pretty sure you would too. I was right. Before laying you down for the night, I checked and there it was. At the time, I thought both bottom teeth had popped through, but only one. I’m glad I was able to get some pictures of you smiling with that toothless smile of yours the past couple of months – No more toothless smile for my little guy.

Your Grandpa Adams came to visit this month and he had you laughing louder than I’ve ever heard you laugh. It was adorable. You laughed this full belly laugh that I had never heard before. I love it! It’s nice to hear you laugh and to see you smiling!
I love you little guy!

Love,
Mommy

Other exciting things that happened this month:
1.Colin’s birthday party

Ethan - 4 Months

Ethan -

This past month flew by. Being a working mother of two is a little harder than I anticipated, but I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of it. Today your teacher told me I’m the most organized mom she knows. I had to laugh. Organized? No. I’m just trying to make it thought the day. I’m glad I hide it well.

You had your four month checkup today! You gave your doctor a huge smile and a little giggle when he walked into the room and spent most of time trying to talk to him. He said you're a very happy and curious little guy - or should I say BIG guy. As of today you're 16pds, 12 oz and 26.5 in. You're in the 75th percentile for weight and 90th for height. I love my little linebacker!

Lots of “Firsts” this month – Not only did you sleep through the night for the first time, but you also rolled over for the first time - back to belly.

At the beginning of the month, Daddy and I decided it was time to break your swaddle habit. We knew we were going to have a couple of long sleepless night while you adjusted, but it was time. To our surprise you handled it very well. So well that you slept through the night for the first time! I was so excited. I thought we hit a turning point - I was wrong. You’ve only slept through the night a couple of times since then.

Actually, I don't mind you waking up at night. It's the only time I get to cuddle with you. When I try to rock you at night, just for a few minutes, you get fussy and want me to put you in your crib so you can sleep. You used to love to cuddle. I'm not sure when this changed exactly.

As for rolling over, this happened while we were downstairs playing with Camden. I was so surprised and so were you. Your teachers still don’t believe you’re rolling over. It’s been almost four weeks and you still haven’t rolled over for them.

We headed to the lake this month for Grandpa Laurent’s birthday and Ben’s graduation party. Your first trip to the lake and your first boat ride! You seemed to enjoy the lake house. You loved watching Camden and Zane play inside and out. As for the boat ride, not your favorite activity due to the life jacket you had to wear. I am sure you’ll start enjoying it more as you get older. At least I hope so....

I was really hoping you would not inherit you Daddy’s bad ears, but it appears as though you have. You weren't feeling well earlier in the month so I took you to see the doctor. Turned out to be an ear infection and the start of a respiratory infection. First ear infection = First antibiotic. I hope this is the first and last ear infection for you.

One of your favorite things to do is watch your big brother. You think everything he does is funny. The two of you have really started to bond. Camden loves you and the fact that you’re going to “school” with him now. Every day when I go to his class to get him he reminds me that we have to go to your room and pick you up. He gives you a kiss every morning before I take you to your room and announces that he's your big brother. He loves you so much. He even shares Baby Monkey with you. That says a lot!

The past four months have gone by so fast and I feel like the first two months are a blur. At times I have to remind myself to just stop and enjoy the moment. If I forget, remind me. Okay?

Love you,

Mommy

Other exciting things:
1. 1st trip to COSI

2. 1st Father's Day

Ethan - 3 Months...

Ethan –
The past three months have flown by. I’m not sure of your exact weight, but I’m guessing you’re almost 15 pounds if not more and around 24.5 inches. We’ll know for sure next month during your four month checkup. All I know - You’re a big boy! I call you my little line backer. I had to pack up most of your 0-3 month clothes earlier in the month. As for diapers, you moved into a size 2 at the beginning of the month and you’re already moving into a size 3!

The weather the past few months has been horrible – record rainfall – so we’ve spent most of our time inside. You’ve grown to love your activity mat and I love watching you reach up to try to grab the animals hanging down over you. We’ve slowly started to introduce you to the bumbo chair and exersaucer. You seem to love them both. Another thing you love (and I love), the fact that you can face forward in the carrier. It’s a hold new world now that you have more head control!

This past month we've settled into a schedule which not only makes you a happy baby, but also makes me a happy Mommy! Now if we could just get you sleeping through the night…

Monday, May 23rd – Your first day of daycare! I cried when I dropped you off that first day. Up until that day it was you and me during the day. I knew I was going to miss you and I did. You, however, made me feel so much better. When I walked into your classroom to pick you up, you gave me the biggest smile and just melted my heart.

Not only did you start daycare this month, but you also had your first trip to Grandma and Grandpa Laurent’s and your first night away from me! Your Daddy and I went to Indianapolis to celebrate Timbo’s birthday while you and Camden stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. You both seemed to have fun and your grandparents enjoyed having you. You had a great time meeting your Great Grandma Laurent for the first time too! You even smiled for her.

Actually you are smiling all the time now and have started letting out little giggles. Adorable! I only have one picture of you smiling though. Whenever I get out the camera you just stare at it like you are trying to figure out what it is. Hopefully you’ll let me take some this coming month.


I’m so excited for the summer. I’m looking forward to spending time with you and Camden at the park, zoo and water park. I’m curious to see if you like the water. So far, you’re not a huge fan of baths.

Love,

Mommy

Other fun things this month –
1. You met your Great Grandma Laurent.
2. Attended your 1st birthday party – Aiden McGlone
3. Made your 1st trip to Indianapolis for your Cousin Jude’s dedication.

Ethan - 2 months

Ethan –

Your second month started off a little rough but ended with a smile. I decided to take you to see your doctor at the beginning of the month because you seemed to cry a little more than what I considered to be normal. After examining you, your doctor said he believed you were a little colicky and that the crying would improve over the next month or so. I’m happy to say it definitely has! I’m not sure if it was time or your trip to the chiropractor or the fact that I reduced my dairy intake, but whatever it was, you’re doing much better and we are sooo happy!

You started grinning on April 2nd, but I’m going to say you’re first real smile occurred on April 15th. Until this past week most of your smiles seemed to occur when you were lying on your changing table looking up at a golf picture your daddy taped to the bottom of the shelf hanging above your dresser. Future golfer? Probably. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a picture of your adorable smile this month. Whenever I get the camera out you seem more interested in staring at it than smiling at me.

You’re still sleeping in your car seat, but on April 3rd we decided to move you out of our room and into your nursery. So now you’re sleeping in your car seat in the crib. Hey, whatever works! You wake up every 2 ½ to 3 hrs to eat at this point, but I hope that changes over the next month or so. You did get my hopes up one night by sleeping from 11pm-5:45am!

Not only did you grace us with your first smile this month, but you also giggled! This occurred on April 25th when we were at Laurel’s for a play date. I don’t even know what I was doing, but you thought it was funny! You’re also trying to reach up for the toys hanging from your swing and activity mat.

We went to the doctor for your 2 month checkup and your 1st set of shots. I think we might have a future linebacker on our hands. You weighed in at 13pds, 7 oz and your 24 ¾ inches long! I was so worried about how you would react to getting shots, but you only cried for about 10 seconds and fell right back to sleep!

This month we celebrated your 1st holiday – Easter. Actually St. Patrick’s Day was your 1st holiday, but your Daddy said it doesn’t count so we’re counting Easter as your 1st holiday. Anyway, for Easter the two of us along with Camden headed up to Lorain to spend the day with Grandpa Adams. Daddy had strep throat so he didn’t get to join us. You had a wonderful time meeting the Adams side of our family. Everyone loved you of course.

My maternity leave is almost over and I’m sad to say that we’ve spent most of our days inside. It’s either been too cold to go outside or it’s been raining. We’ve actually had record rainfall this past month. Hopefully it will clear up soon so we can spend some time enjoying the outdoors before I head back to work.

Booger – that’s my nickname for you. Strange I know. I try to stop myself, but every time I pick you up the word booger or boogs comes out of my mouth! I promise I won’t call you this forever!
I’m sitting here trying to finish this letter and you’re crying in your Daddy’s arms. I better go help him.

Ethan, we love you and can’t wait to see what this next month brings.

Love,
Mommy

Other fun things that happened this month.
1. April 10th – Your Grandpa Adams game down to celebrate his 50th birthday and you went to the zoo for the first time.

Ethan - One Month

Ethan –

I can’t believe it’s already been an entire month since you entered the world and our hearts. Some say the second child is easier because you know what to expect and you don’t worry as much. Well, I don’t agree entirely. Sure we were aware there would be a lack of sleep on our part (my part) and a never ending cycle of you eating, sleeping, and pooping, but that’s really about it. For the most part I feel I worry just as much as I did with your older brother. I just worry about a larger variety of things. Before you were born I worried about you being healthy, about breastfeeding, about how I would feel about you when you were born, and about how Camden would adjust to having a little brother. Now I worry about you being healthy, about breastfeeding and about how to make sure I am giving you and your brother the individual love and attention that you both need.

You were born on a Wednesday and we left the hospital with two days later on a rainy Friday afternoon. My plan was to ride in the backseat with you like I did when we left the hospital with your brother, but I quickly realized that wasn’t possible. Welcome to life with two kids! There’s no room in the backseat with two carseats. I think we might need that minivan I’ve been wanting! Anyway, your daddy took a picture of the two of us and then I jumped in the front seat.

Our first night home went well…sort of. We quickly realized you hate laying flat. Around 3am, I had your Daddy get the car seat and you’ve been sleeping in it ever since. Whatever works right? Saturday your Grandma Ziegman arrived in Columbus. She stayed with us for a week and got a chance to get to know you and hang out with Camden.

As I mentioned, one of the main things I stressed about before you were born was breastfeeding. Well, at your two week checkup you only weighed 9 pounds 1 ounce which upset me because you weren’t back up to your birth weight. This had me stressing over breastfeeding even more, but after speaking to your pediatrician we came up with a plan. Needless to say you and I have worked through our difficulties and a week later you weighed 10 pounds!

Now there’s a new issue…You cry all the time. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. The first two weeks I kept telling everyone how good you were and how you only cry when you are wet, tired or hungry. Well, that somehow changed over the past couple of weeks. Now, the only time you are not crying is when you’re sleeping or eating. On the bright side, you do sleep well at night. You wake up every 2.5 – 3 hrs to eat and are pretty good about going back to sleep for the most part, but during the day if you’re not sleeping or eating, you’re crying. You seem to calm down if I hold you, but I can’t hold you all the time. Hopefully this crying phase will pass soon!

Our first month together has been stressful, but wonderful. I've enjoyed getting to know you and you me. Please be patient with me as I learn how to and adjust to being a mother of two. I can’t wait to see how you grow and change this coming month!

Love,

Mommy

Other fun things that happened this month –

1. Umbilical cord fell off on March 17th.

2. You had your first "real" bath.

3. 1st road trip – We went drove to Ikea and daddy’s new office.

4. Your Uncle Pat, Aunt Maya, Zane and Jude came to meet you and you had your first photo session with Aunt Maya.

Ethan - The Story of Your Birth

Ethan -

I made the decision to be induced with you and picked an induction date of Wednesday, March 2. My last day at work was Monday, February 28th and I took the day before you were born off to relax and hang out with your Daddy and brother. So the day before you were born your Daddy and I went out for breakfast and spent the rest of the morning shopping for an OSU hat for you. It was the only thing I didn’t have packed and was on a mission to find one. It took four stores, but we finally found it and when we did, I started crying. Your Daddy just stared at me and started laughing. I would have probably laughed at me too. Hormones! After finding the hat, we picked your brother up and headed to the zoo. It was our last outing, just the three of us.

Later that evening your Grandma and Grandpa Laurent came to town so that they could stay with your big brother the next morning and take him to daycare before coming up to the hospital. Your Daddy and I arrived at the hospital around 6am on the 2nd. After completing the necessary paperwork we headed to our room where the nurses hooked me up to the necessary monitors. You were not responding the way they would have liked so they monitored you for about an hour. Around 7am my doctor came in, broke my water and then started the petocin. Contractions pretty much started right away. I was told I could have an epidural whenever I wanted, but waited for some reason…a little too long and the contractions came on really strong. Your Grandma and Grandpa Laurent arrived at the hospital just as I was getting the epidural. I think this was around 10:00am or so. After I got the epidural I was able to relax, but after a while the pain started coming back. It was so bad I started crying and your Grandpa Adams got so emotional he had to leave the room. When the nurse came in I told her I thought there was something wrong with my catheter and she informed me that it was just your head coming down and that I was dilated to 9 ½! I couldn’t believe it. I always thought being induced meant a long hard labor. I was obviously wrong because it was only about 12:30pm and I was almost ready to push! The nurse raised my bed so that I was pretty much in a sitting position. This eased the pain tremendously and allowed gravity to do the work instead of me. I started pushing at approximately 1:29pm and you arrived at 2:01pm. I couldn’t believe it. My doctor said one more push and I thought she was lying. I had to push for over an hour with your brother so I wasn’t expecting you to come out so quickly, but you did. And your cry…oh it was just so adorable. As soon as you came out they put you on my chest, you stopped crying and just looked at me. It was at that moment that I fell in love with you. All through my pregnancy I was worried about how I would feel about you. How could I possibly love another child as much as I love your brother? But at that moment all of those fears went away. God has blessed me with two wonderful boys. I don’t know what I did to deserve the two of you. I thank him for you two every day.

Because I gained about 20 pounds less with you than I did with your brother, your Daddy and I thought you would weigh much less than your big brother…we were wrong. You weighed in at 9lbs 5.7oz and 21.5in long. Your brother was 9lbs 6oz and 21in long. What can I say, I have big boys! Later that day, your Grandma and Grandpa Laurent brought your big brother to the hospital to meet you. When Camden walked in, he was a little scared seeing me in the hospital bed. He said, “What happened”? I looked at him and pointed to you. I explained that you came out of my belly and he said, “That’s my brother”. As for me, I just started crying. Seeing the two of you together made the day just that much more special. Your daddy stayed at the hospital with me Wednesday night while your Grandpa Adams stayed at the house with your brother. The next morning your daddy went home, picked up Camden and came back up the hospital. We had breakfast together as a family for the first time and Camden held you for the first time that morning which just melted my heart.

Ethan – we love you so much and we’re so happy you’re finally here with us!

Love,

Mommy

Camden - 2.5 yrs

Camden J –

Oh where to begin - You have grown up so much over the past few months. The biggest news – you’ve outgrown your allergies! This has opened up a whole new world of food for you and has made cooking and eating out a lot easier for us. However, it’s still an adjustment… Things I thought you would love, you don’t. For instance, corndogs…you refuse to eat the breading. Pudding, you still prefer soy pudding. And milk…you’ll drink it but only if we bribe you. You still prefer to drink almond or soy milk.

You’ve become so independent over the past couple of months and seem to be enjoying your new room and the new found freedom that comes with it. We moved your trains and some toys in there and now you love to hang out and play in YOUR room. You especially like to do this during naptime. Yep – weekend naps are a struggle now. It appears you have no trouble taking a nap at daycare, but on the weekends you get up and start playing as soon as we close your door. When we open the door to check on you, you drop whatever toy/book is in your hand and run to your bed. One time, we found you “painting” the walls with diaper cream! Most recently, you’ve started emptying your dresser drawers. Every weekend, I have to refold and put your clothes away. I’m going to be getting locks for your drawers soon if you don’t stop.

This past Monday, your Daddy put you down for a nap, heard a noise and found that you managed to open your bedroom door (also new) and you where spraying our room, your room, Ethan’s nursery and the hallway with Downey Spray. You were so proud of yourself too. When I got home, you went around and pointed to everything you sprayed! Cute, but now there is a safety knob on your door so you can’t get out when you’re supposed to be napping!

You’ve also learned how to open the refrigerator door recently. At first, I was very excited about this. You would ask for something to drink and we would tell you to go get your sippy out of the fridge. Now, you’ve realize you can get other things out...not so good. Just please don’t mess with the eggs! I've heard stories about your daddy doing this when he was little!

Swim lessons. You were so excited about swim lessons the first few weeks and really seemed to love the water. Even going under water didn’t seem to bother you too much. However, things changed once your instructor tried to put a noodle around you. You freaked out and tried your hardest to get out of the pool. Daddy tried calming you and you wanted nothing to do with him, the pool or the noodle. After lessons, when I was putting you to bed, I asked you about the noodle and you said, “I scared”. I asked you why and you looked at me like you were trying to figure it out. I then told you Mommy and Daddy would never let anything hurt you. You responded by saying, ”I try again next time”. This was our first really conversation about feelings. I left the room almost in tears. One because I don’t want you to be scared and two because you’re growing up so fast!

It’s big boy potty time! January 17, 2011. That’s the date you first used the “big boy potty”. You sat on your little potty, peed, stood up and said “I did it!”. It was a wonderful moment. Your Daddy and I were jumping up and down and you were so proud. We haven’t really started potty training though. There are days when we ask you if you want to use the potty and you want nothing to do with it. Then there are days when you say okay, sit there, get up without going and say, “I try again later”. We don’t want to pressure you into using the potty just yet. You have so many other changes going on…

Which brings me to this coming week….We’re gearing up for your little brother’s arrival. If he doesn’t come on his own this weekend, I’ve decided to be induced on March 2nd. I’m so excited to see you and your brother together… And I’m anxious to see how your adjust once we bring him home. Tonight before bed, you wanted to read your Big Brother book. Hopefully that’s a good sign.

Daddy and I love you so much, Camden. I hope you never forget or doubt that.

Love,
Mommy

Other things to remember –
1. Your new favorite show is Dinosaur Train.
2. You’ve pretty much given up the need to sleep with Baby Monkey, George and Mickey. Now it’s just Baby Monkey.
3. You’re not too excited about wearing pull-ups. You prefer a diaper.
4. You love using blue markers at daycare. You keep using one that doesn’t come off! I swear it’s not a washable marker even though it says it is!
5. You still love basketball and golf. You love going to the driving range with Daddy.
6. You’re very independent. If we try to help with things you say,” No, I do it”.
7. You still miss your buddy Griswald (we do too). You ask about him every now and then. It breaks my heart when you try to get Winston to play and he doesn’t. Hopefully that will change soon.