Pictures by weekend...

Dave (with the help of his Dad) has been busily working on our computers at home to get them up and running again. We still haven't recovered the data off the drive, but I should be able to upload new pictures that I've taken in the past few weeks by this weekend once all programs are set.

Lots to update:
Ethan's 1st haircut
Helping Daddy fix the A/C (yes, we lost A/C during the week long span of 90+ degrees
Father's Day @ Blackberry Farm

I'm sure there's more, seeing the pictures will trigger my memory.

Anyway...look back for updates by the end of the weekend! Hope everyone has a safe 4th of July!

He Passed!

Yay..Dave just found out he passed his FE test, one more to go!!

Did you miss updates??

Well, let me tell you that you'd think we would've learned when our first computer crashed, but...we didn't. Our second computer, which is the one I used to do all my picture uploads etc. to decided to die on Friday evening. So, we've now possibly lost more pictures!! Luckily I have the last few months still on the camera. But, until we get the necessary programs on the laptop or something miraculous happens with the other computer, you might not have pics for a little bit. Such a bummer, because I have pics of our last swim class and other odds and ends to share.

For now, my updates:
*Ethan is now counting up to 10 on his own. Lately, he's been starting with 3, but he gets all the way to 10 without any help. This is thanks to Lauren for working with him...we were counting up to 4, but he whipped out all the rest the other day for me and I stood there shocked!
*We're also working on ABCs with him...usually after he counts, he says, "I want ABC" and then we sing the ABCs...he knows a handful of letters when I pause to let him say them.
*Lately he likes to help with household chores. Putting clothes from the washing machine to the dryer, pushing the on/off button on the vacuum. Soon enough I'll give him his own chores. :)
*He now calls our neighbor "Tractor man", he has a riding mower and has to watch him whenever he's out mowing. We took a walk in the wagon last night and he kept saying, "I want tractor man".
*He now likes to have a glass of water at bedtime. The other night I heard him pounding on his crib and saying, "I want water"...so, we now try to remember to just put a sippy cup of water on his bed. Good little boy that he is, will drink it and put it back on the ledge. When we come in at night, we always make sure he's not sleeping on it or anything. But, he always puts it back!

All for now, thought I'd at least give a little tidbit for an update. Pictures to (hopefully) come soon...

Memorial Weekend

Well, the last two weekends we haven't really been able to relax in the Hickman household. We decided to paint our living room and do a bunch of landscaping outside, so we were busy bees. Now that it's complete, the outcome is well worth it. Hopefully the rest of the summer, we can just sit back and enjoy the nice weather.

Mr. Gardener doing his part to help us (last weekend).

Ethan's new bike that Grandma Hickman bought for him

For Memorial Day weekend, we did get out a bit when we took Ethan to the local Aurora zoo and park. As you'll see, I was playing like a kid also. :)

Our finished landscaping:

We're having a retaining wall put in on the side of the garage, so this will be a bit spiffier once that is done.

Some recent Ethanisms:

*He thinks it's funny when he farts (or as we call them, "tooties") and after he does it, he laughs and says, 'I want more tooties'. He then proceeds to try to do it again!

*He got the syrup out of the fridge the other day and put it on the kitchen table and said, "pancakes" to me.

*The cutest 2 words he says lately are 'goofy' (although it sounds like 'foofy') and 'sushi'. Both sound absolutely adorable when he says them.

*I taught him to say 'Daddy's big muscles' and show his arms. He holds his arms out and says 'Daddy's big muscles, big' and gets real tense at the end with a grunt - hilarious!

*The last two mornings I've gotten him out of bed, the first thing he says to me is "Daddy downstairs coffee" - so he now relates the morning to daddy making coffee - pretty perceptive!

*Ethan likes to give Sasha her morning treat now. He says, "Sasha, sit...good girl" and then gives her the treat. Good little helper!

*His latest two things he does to be a naughty boy (I know, hard to imagine this cutie can be naughty sometimes) is throwing his silverware on the floor and putting his feet on the dinner table. Although he knows when he does the silverware thing what he did wrong, because when I scold him, he says "fork, table...be nice". Which is paraphrasing what I've just told him, that we be nice to the fork and put it on the table when we're done with it. Some day it will sink in!

Mother's Day

Mother's Day Weekend proved to be as busy as the past few weekends for us. Friday evening we treated Lauren and her husband to dinner as a special thank you for always taking such good care of Ethan for us. We tried to take them to one of those all you can eat meat buffet restaurants (special treat for the boys of course) and the one in Downers Grove unfortunately had closed. So, we drove back to Naperville and enjoyed Catch 35. Saturday we did the usual swim class in the morning and then Dave and I had a date night. We had Lauren's sister watch Ethan while we went to Cirque Dreams at the Aurora Paramount Theatre. Dave and I really enjoyed the time together and the performance - it's amazing what those acrobats and performers can do!! Highly recommend!!

For Mother's Day, we met Dave's parents downtown Naperville for breakfast at Egg Harbor (yummy!!!) and walked around the Riverwalk a bit. Actually, we stayed in the same 100 yards of the riverwalk the whole time, as Ethan liked the bridge where he could see the ducks swimming and the fountain squirting water and the park benches that he could crawl up and down on a few hundred times....repeat sequence over and over and OVER! :) In the afternoon we had planned to take Ethan to the local zoo in Aurora, but I voted to just hang out closer to the house and go to the zoo on a bit warmer day. Either way, it was great having the family time. Dave also cooked me a very yummy dinner on Sunday evening - a new recipe he whipped up in his head and it was marvelous!!

Ethan is absolutely loving his stuffed animals in the morning now. Pictures below show 4 total that we had to take out of the bed with us. How I manage to unzip his pj's and change his diaper while he holds them all is a magical mommy skill that I have acquired. He usually wants to hold them while he eats breakfast, but I bribe him to let them just sit on the table so they don't get milk from cereal or sticky oatmeal spilled on them. (Don't mind my appearance in the picture, as these are first morning pictures)

Before breakfast photo opportunity

Looking out off the bridge

Ethan's latest cute things he's doing:

*He is trying to jump, he'll crouch down real low and pop up - real cute

*He likes to turn his night light on by himself now. The funniest thing though, my morning routine was to shut it off with my foot on the way out of his room because my hands were full...well, when I asked him to turn it on, he walked over, held on to the wall and lifted his foot up to turn it on. SERIOUSLY, kids are so atuned to certain things!!

*He is an absolute outdoors boy! He doesn't like coming in these days!! Today when we came in, he wanted to keep his coat on!! He also loves walks! Yesterday we took a walk for almost an hour from the time we left the house until we got back. He pushed his lawn mower the entire way around the pond and back. Of course, we had to stop to watch the tractors/semi trucks loading dirt.

I can't believe that he's already 19 months - 5 more months until he's 2?!

Dave's 32nd Birthday!

This weekend was the first weekend Ethan and I had Dave to ourselves the entire weekend and we really enjoyed it! Coincidentally, Dave was able to get his test out of the way last weekend, so he could fully enjoy his birthday festivities on Saturday.

Dave got some 'honey do' items done this weekend, which I was much appreciative of. Hung a picture, put together Ethan's wagon and new cozy coupe car, fixed a few squeaky doors, helped me fix the yellow grass from Sasha peeing all winter, hardware store shopping for a few household projects we have planned....I know, it sounds like I threw Dave into more 'work', but he definitely enjoys the household help more than his studying, so he didn't complain. :)

For Dave's birthday on Saturday, he came with Ethan and I to swim class in the morning. Ethan was happy to show off his wall walking, swimming and back floating. :) Saturday evening we did sushi with Dave's parents and they were nice enough to stay with Ethan while we went out to bowling with some friends that evening. Sunday, we spent as much time outside as we could. We took two walks around the park area in our subdivision and now Ethan likes to get out and help push his stroller/wagon himself. So, we just walk at Ethan's pace. The cutest thing he likes to do now is put his hands in his pockets while he walks. I have no idea who taught him this, but it's the cutest thing ever!

Ethan 'helping' Mommy make Daddy's chocolate, cherry cake - mmm, chocolate beaters!

Helping Daddy put together his car

Ahh, this is the life...Dad just pulls me and I lay back and enjoy the ride!

Helping Dad with the stud finder to hang a picture

Walking all proper with his hands in his pockets.

Pulling the wagon like a big boy

Dinner on Saturday night..mmm, sushi!!

1 down, 1 to go..

FINALLY - Dave took his test this past weekend!! After many months of diligent studying, he was finally able to download all the information in his head onto the test form. :) It will take up to 3 months for us to get results, but Dave feels pretty confident that he did enough to pass, so we'll just keep our fingers crossed. He's very excited to get back to some normalcy with working out and getting back in touch with his friends. (Hopefully no one has taken offense to his silence for the last 6 months). Ethan and I are very proud of him and happy to get more quality time with him now. We spent all Sunday together playing at the house, outside with our new sidewalk chalk and then went to dinner in the evening. Now, Dave just has to decide whether he's going ot keep going and take the PE test this October or wait until next April and enjoy the summer months. I guess there are pros and cons to both scenarios, but we'll support whatever decision he makes.

I actually ran in my 3rd 5K on Sunday. I know, I'm crazy with 2 weeks in a row, but I'm trying to knock these out before it gets scorching hot out. I was very thankful that there was no rain during the actual race. It managed to pour down about 5 minutes before we started and I was a bit nervous, but literally no rain during the race. I beat my time by another 15 seconds and managed to again, get 1st in my age group (got 8th for females and 33rd/143 overall). Guess I can't complain too much considering I don't train for these runs..I usually just run casually during the week with some friends at work during lunch.

No pictures from this weekend really. Saturday Ethan and I were busy since Dave was gone all day. We went grocery shopping, to the bank and to swim class in the morning, and then went to visit Grandpa Rochford Saturday evening to help him celebrate getting his 6th degree black belt. Luckily, Dave was done with his test and was able to meet up with us in the evening for dinner.

Happy Birthday to Dave this coming weekend...he's looking forward to getting out and socializing with some friends! :)

18 Month JCP Pics

As promised, a few of the better ones...

18 Month Stats

Ethan has his 18 month appt. last week Wednesday. He came away with only 2 shots this time, thankfully! He measured 33 inches tall (70%) and 25 lbs, 8 oz (50%). Overall, he was great at the appointment and only cried when the shots came. The doctor was impressed when I told her the large vocabulary he had, and also informed me that his top canine teeth were close to the gum line.

I was hoping to have his pictures up by now, but I just called JCPenney and they forgot to add the internet feature, so hopefully in a few days.

This weekend was another busy one for Ethan and I. Saturday morning I got up and ran another 5K in Aurora. I actually got 1st in my age group, 7th place for women and 27th (of 131) overall in the race. I beat my time by a minute and forty seconds, so I was pretty excited. I guess my competitive side comes out a bit. After my race, I went home and took Ethan to swim class. He is getting better every week and I love it. We do the "itsy bitsy spider" and the kids hold on to the wall and move their hands as we sing. Usually I help him move his hands but he did it all by himself this time. After swim class we ran home for a quick lunch and then Ethan and I headed to Champaign for the night. We had dinner and stayed with Dave's grandparents Saturday night and then we met my brother and family at his church on Sunday morning for service, followed by lunch. Ethan and I were back at home by 3 on Sunday to unwind before the week. Although Ethan doesn't see his great grandparents much, I was so impressed that when it was bedtime, I walked around the bedroom with him for about 5 minutes and then left and he didn't let out a peep. I think it says a lot, that he was comfortable in the new environment to not need me. We were bummed that Dave couldn't be with us, but we knew that he needed this last weekend to study before his test (this Saturday).

I can't remember if I've mentioned, but Ethan can say his name now. It sounds like "Enan", but I'm sure the "th" sound will come. Also, it really surprised me this weekend when he was playing with a bunch of coasters at Dave's grandparents. He kept taking them out and putting them back in and twice when there was just one left on the floor to put back, he said "one more". I didn't even say anything to that effect and he realized there was one more to put away?!!!

Friday evening blowing bubbles with Mom and Dad

Watching the birdies at the bird feeder with great-Grandpa

Eating some yummy grapes before bedtime.

Finishing breakfast on great-Grandma's lap (so Mommy could actually eat her breakfast)

Banana Boy

Other random pics from this past weekend...

As promised, Ethan sporting his newborn hospital cap.

Mr. I can hold my own Banana - please don't help me anymore..

It's not too big of a bite, mommy!!

Easter Weekend

Another whirlwind tour this weekend for Ethan and I. It started on Friday when I had the day off and decided to take Ethan to run errands while Dave...yes, STUDIED (if you can imagine it). I think we went to 5 different stores, which totalled 11 times in and out of the car. He was a trooper though. A thought came to me while we were shopping at WalMart . I went from the grocery section the pet aisle, and I had to pass by the toy section. No, Ethan didn't ask for anything, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before there is some toy that he just CAN'T live without! Heck, I ended up buying him a fancy new "Cars" theme plate and a Sesame Street place mat with colors on it and he didn't even beg for them. He also enjoyed watching the fish in the tanks over by the pet aisles.

After his nap on Friday, we had a playdate with one of my high school friend's and her daughter, Zoey ("Woey" and Ethan pronounced it) who is about 2 weeks older than Ethan. Overall, they played together well, with only minor spells of not wanting to share. :) How do you explain to 18 month old kids that they can share?? ha ha.
Putting on their bling..

Saturday morning started out at JCPenney getting his 18 month pictures. I had the brilliant idea (although my plan didn't completely work) of bringing Beaver - his latest favorite stuffed animal to help him smile. Well, Beaver was right there under his armpit the entire photo shoot! We struggled to get any smile out of him until the baseball came out and Ethan played a little catch with the photographer. Some pictures were even taken with him sitting on my lap while I leaned back as far as my body would allow, to NOT be in the picture with him. Overall, I was definitely able to pick a few different poses that showed my little boy's cute smile. Will post a few once I get the proofs online.

After pictures, we headed to swim class, which was definitely a better event this week. He enjoyed throwing the ball in front of him and swimming on his tummy to go get it. The one part of the class that I enjoyed was when we sang 'Twinkle, Twinkle' and we have them lay their head on our shoulder while floating on their back. He just lays there so quiet and calm and floats while I hold him...guess he trusts his Mommy and just enjoys the ride.

Our final trip on Saturday after his nap was to the Hughes side where Grandma made us dinner and we visited with everyone. When Grandma showed him the picture of family, he was able to identify almost everyone until he became disinterested. What surprised me the most was that he knew Uncle Adam and Uncle Breck (although they are both named "uncle" right now). On our trip back home, I figured the little stinker would fall asleep, but he babbled the whole way home and didn't get to sleep until almost 9:30p.m.!!

Sunday was more of the same with travel. We went to the Rochford side in the morning and to the Hickman side for the afternoon. We took him for a walk after dinner and Ethan enjoyed the walk so much he didn't want to get out of the stroller. Sorry, I'm a bad mommy and didn't get any actual dressed up Easter picture, but he did look cute. Overall, I think Ethan made out real well as far as Easter goes. He got some boxes of raisins, the Pinocchio movie, bubbles, a new toy car and tractor, new socks and some small candy items. We colored eggs with him on Friday evening, but voted against doing an egg hunt this year...we figured he'd understand a bit more about finding eggs once he gets a bit older.

Counting to 4....BUT

Ethan is now counting up to 4, but the catch is, he doesn't say 1. His queue when you say 1 is to start with 2 and goes up to 4. It's very cute to hear his intonation when he counts. He gets a little higher pitch towards the end of the number, as if to mimic how we say it clearly and slowly. Although he hasn't caught on that 1 is the first number, we're proud of his 2-4 counting. :)

We started swim class again this past Saturday. I figured it would go well since he loved it last summer. But, he was a bit scared at first and cried when we first got in the water. He warmed up a bit towards the end and I dunked him, but he mostly just clung to me. I'm sure in the coming weeks he'll be back to splashing.

Saturday we had the Rochford side over for dinner to celebrate Grandma Linda's birthday. Here are a few pics of the event. Ethan would only let me hold him for the pictures. :) He now comes up to me with his arms stretched up and says "hold you".

Grandpa pulling him around on his bike (note Sasha's leash is quite helpful)

The whole group (with a bit of our heads cut off - ha ha)Playing with Grandpa and Grandma Linda after dinner

Ethan's become more independent when going to bed these days, which is truly amazing to me considering this was the one thing that always stressed me out when he was an infant. One night he'd go to bed like an angel and the next he'd cry until we 'saved' him. But, he just LOVES his bed and all his soft stuffed animals and blankets. I basically rock him for 2 minutes and he's ready to get into bed and we hear him just babbling and screeching for about 5-10 minutes and then he's sound asleep. When we check on him before we go to bed, he's usually got 2 blankets and all 4 stuffed animals surrounding him (sometimes he's bear hugging his blanket).

Oh yes, something I'll have to eventually get a picture of is Ethan's newest fashion trend. He enjoys wearing his hospital cap when he plays in his room. I had it in his little nightstand drawer and he found it..he now likes us to put it on him and he keeps it on the whole time we play. Of course, his head has grown quite a bit since then, but he looks adorable. Speaking of things from the hospital, I've finally gotten stuff out to try to scrapbook Ethan's birth and I found his little hospital bracelet - it's so precious and small!! (Sigh...) My little boy is growing up - he'll be 18 months Saturday! (look for updated JCP pics in the coming weeks)

Just a random dinner photo. I was getting my food ready one night and I turned around and this was Ethan's face! Didn't seem to phase him with his HUGE glob of ketchup on his face!

Just another shout out to Dave, who now has less than 3 weeks until his test!