Doing so many new things...

Ethan has had such an eventful month. He is crawling like a pro, pulling up, playing in the pool, and swinging in the baby swing at the park. Pictures are worth a thousand words...I'll let them do the talking!

Here he comes!

Doing pull-ups instead of napping

Standing on bed first...jumping on bed is next!

Hmmm...

Our little puppy!

Watching Wheel of Fortune!

Taking him to the doctor...seems like he doesn't want to go!!

Puffies for Easter!

 Happy Easter!

Our little family Easter Sunday

He loves to swing!

Our big boy!

More swinging please!

So happy

Weeeeee!

Crawling among other things...

Ethan is almost 7 1/2 months old and just learned how to crawl this weekend. We knew he was going to soon but he just couldn't get his arms and legs to coordinate. So Grandpa Moots showed him and talked him through it and within hours of that first lesson, Ethan crawled his first few inches! He now goes immediately to the trash can, entertainment center, and book shelf...all of which are not for babies!! So we are certainly having to stay on our toes when he is on the move!

He has his 2 bottom middle teeth now. He's a big fan of chewing things with his new chompers. He's eating Cheerios and crackers like a pro! I was feeding him dinner one night and all of a sudden he pulled out a cracker from his high chair and started eating it! I didn't even see it there, he was saving it for later I guess!

He loves to pretend like he's talking. It's cute...except for he likes to do most of his practice in his crib at 6AM. So I have to listen to his chatter on the baby monitor during my last few precious minutes of sleep before I get ready for work.

The weather is getting nice now and we just bought a jogging stroller to use for my 5k training over the next few weeks. Ethan likes the breeze through his hair and putting his feet up on the tray in front of him. We are certainly getting good use out of the new stroller! We both enjoy our running buddy, Lauren, she helps keep Ethan occupied and entertained!

Bad hair day!

Tribal Baby

Guitar Licks at the Doctor's office

Mommy, Daddy, and Ethan at the Benefit Concert we played 

Ethan Playing on the deck

Daddy and Ethan bowling!

Ethan and Easton BFF!

Bathtime

HEY!

UH OH!! Ethan "The Trashman" Brown

So Much Growing in 2 Months

We thought we'd let Ethan grow up big time before posting again...or I've been really side-tracked! One of those two! Ethan has started doing some major rolling around. He loves toys especially the ones that rattle, play music, or crinkle!

He has started eating baby food and baby cereal too. That has been so much fun! I'm loving it because I am making most of his food now. I estimate that by making my own I save at least $30-$40/month! I have about a month's worth of food in the freezer, so he is set! I have made avocado, bananas, apples, beets (yep!), carrots, pears, peas, pumpkin, and plan on more as he gets more food on his menu! I puree the food in our magic bullet and pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. After it freezes I put the cubes into a freezer bag and label it. It's so easy because I have 1 oz. servings of food and can defrost what I need to use. I wish I was the brains behind this operation, but I've done lots of blog searching to find out the best way to prepare and preserve his food. He also loves a banana apple smoothie I make- 1 cube apple, 1 cube banana, and water to thin it out. He can then take that in his new sippy cup on the road and still get the nutrients he needs!

He loves his walker and Johnny Jump. We take his walker to church with us on band practice nights and he spends almost 2 hours in it pushing himself backwards down the aisles! He also will bounce in his Johnny Jump and squeal! He is having so much fun, he lets our neighbors know about it.

I've had 11 snow days in January and February. I've really enjoyed being a "part-time" teacher. We have all enjoyed the snow and time home together!

His 6 month check-up and shots are just a few days away. I am pretty sure he will be tipping the scales at 20lbs at least. He's rockin' all his milestones and we are so blessed to have such a happy, healthy baby! 

He's not allowed to drive until he's 25!

Sweet Face!

Trying Snow for the first time...not sure why he's wearing a toga?!

Taking a bath in Grandma and Grandpa Moots' sink...jacuzzi time!

Mmmm...turtle!

Daddy's Hairdo!

Everything gets a taste test!

Look at my new shoes!!

New Shoes and sitting up!

Drinkin' and Driving...again- no license until 25 years old!

Practicing sitting up is like bumper bowling! The crib is perfect!

SO MUCH FUN!

Hey bubba teeth!

Ethan's Valentine's Day card to the Grandparents

Chris and Ryland went to get snow for our snow icecream. Lauren and I are watching from the nursery window!

Snow day gear! We played in the snow like a couple of kids!

Ethan enjoyed using his snow suit for the first time.

First Christmas and More

Ethan had a great first Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve at church. He did so great with Uncle Matt and Aunt Rebekah while Chris and I sang/played for the service. We spent Christmas morning at home and Ethan helped open his presents. We went to spend the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa Vangrootheest. Ethan loved seeing everyone and sitting in his brand new yellow camaro. That evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa Brown's house and played games. Ethan got a guitar and some drums to start his very first garage band!!
Monday morning we packed up and drove to visit Great Grandma Jones and Great Grandma Moots. This was the first time Great Grandma Jones had seen Ethan. She was thrilled with all the visitors! Finally we spent a few days in Lebanon, MO with the whole Moots gang. Ethan enjoyed meeting Uncle Kevin and Aunt Mandy and his cousin Eliana for the first time. After all the busyness and travel we made it home in time to spend a day at home resting before Chris had to go back to work!

New Clothes!

New Piano!

New Car!

New Guitar!

Chris, Teresa, Ethan, Grandma Moots, and Great Grandma Jones

Ethan and Eliana

Great Grandma Moots with David, Jaron, Kyle, Landan, Eliana, and Ethan

Ethan also had his 4 month check-up on January 3rd. He is growing like a weed! He is 16lbs 4oz. and is 26 inches long. He is hitting all of his milestones and is getting ready to start eating rice cereal and orange veggies soon! mmm!

Singing and talking

Ethan is convinced he can sing and talk. His talking is loud and screechy and when he sings he doesn't open his mouth it's almost like humming! Sometimes in the car when we are playng music we will hear him making these strange noises from his carseat! I think he's singing along with the radio!

Getting in the Christmas spirit

We are so excited to celebrate Christmas this year with Ethan. We put up the tree and decorations last weekend and he loved every bit of it! He was excited about the lights on the tree and was in such a happy baby mood. When he saw tinsel for the first time...it put him over the edge and he laughed for the first time!

We tricked out his bouncy seat!

Well...it's funny!

Ethan's first laugh!

 Looking so big here

3 months old

Ethan with the Christmas tree