What I Took Away From Obama’s Speech

This isn’t a political post. In fact, it wasn’t even supposed to be a post. As I was looking through pictures for a different post, I came across these photos that I had forgotten that I had taken. I have gotten in the habit now of always having the camera out. I take so many pictures these days that I forget about a lot of them. I love capturing all of Ethan's moments. As mundane as they may seem there is something special in all of them.

Take this afternoon for example. Ethan knows nothing about the current economic climate. Heck, he doesn’t even understand what a job is.

But when they stood up, he stood up.

When they clapped, he clapped.

I loved this afternoon, because I loved Ethan's optimistic spirit. For him, everyday is full of excitement and endless joy. I love the fact that he sees the good and the fun in everything that he does. That includes everything from watching the president speak…

… to discovering the existence of flour. Oh how I relish in his innocence, and his use of the word “Wow!”

“Wow!” I can open this bag of flour!

“Wow!” Look at what happens when I turn this bag upside down!

“Wow!” I get to sweep the floor!

I want to bottle these qualities up and keep them forever- for him and for me. I think that optimistic and innocent spirit is what gets me through those flour floor covered days, it is what teaches me most days, and it is what reminds me about why I love being a mother.

Goodnight

18 Months

Ethan turned 18 months yesterday. I still can’t believe how fast time fly's with this guy.

I thought that I would get him in a decent outfit and try to take some cute 18 month shots. In the end, I decided to take the camera out while Ethan was playing in the backyard yesterday. I let him tell all about his 18 month old self. And this is what he said...

I adore my blanket and I take it with me everywhere.

I can always find a stick bigger than I, no matter where I go. And I will more than gladly hit you with it. If it is not a stick that I am hitting you with, than it is my…

golf clubs! My favorite words are bath, book, ball, out, outside, food, cheese, bottle, baby, dog, and bird.

I will fall onto the ground at least 10 times a day just to roll around, because I think this is hilarious.

My favorite foods are cheese sticks, oranges, and noodles. Good luck getting me to eat much else.

With only 12 teeth, I still drool like crazy!

I always have a smile on my face!

I love hugging, running, dancing, reading, climbing, making music, making messes, and having fun!

I also love rocks, balloons, chalk, and baths. I am afraid of bubbles and vacuums.

That is our 18 month old Ethan.

Kung Fu

A Monday afternoon with Grandpa…

…watching Kung Fu Panda.

And afterwards some Kung Fu lessons from Grandpa himself. (This is all my camera got before it was karate chopped.)

I’d say a great way to start the week!

So Far So Fabulous

Friday night date with the husband included a sushi boat plus some Moneyball with a little Brad Pitt for me and some baseball for Aaron.

Then a Saturday morning walk to the store for some bagels and orange juice.

It’s shaping up to be a fabulous weekend.

Booh- Book Minus the K

This is Ethan's favorite spot to sit in our home. It is the place where he is surrounded by his favorite things, his books. 

I used to get nervous when things got too quite around the house. Now if I can’t hear Ethan playing I know it because he is reading. (Or watching T.V. somehow that kid figured out how to turn it on all by himself. Most days I just have to unplug the thing.)

Booh (just think book without the k) is one of the first words out of his mouth after every nap. We pass right by his book shelf on the way out of his bedroom, and he always grabs a book on the way out. Right now he loves any book with trains(choo choo’s as he calls them) or Mickey Mouse(Me Mou).

There is no doubt about it, this boy loves to read.

The Perfect Way to Say Goodbye to Summer

Going to the last Rockies home game!

Until next year… we are already counting down the days!

Child Labor

There is one thing that you should know about me… I am not opposed to child labor. Especially if my child is not opposed to it either. Ethan is in this magical phase right now where he wants to do everything that I do. I love it!

“Mom, please let me do the dishes!”

“Thanks Mom, you rock!”

“When can I mop the floor?”

“I would love to help unload the dishwasher.”

Those are all things that if Ethan could say, he actually would. Including…

“Lets unload the dryer!”

and

“Is it time to clean up my legos?”

Too bad by the time that he can actually speak those words probably wont ever come out of his mouth. For now I plan to take full advantage of his enthusiasm and naiveté to get my house clean while I just sit back and take some pictures :)