Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone. If you didn't get the above Christmas card from us this year, sorry! It is either because I don't have your address, or I ran out of cards! They are really cute, but they are not cheap;) But, now everyone can enjoy it here!

So my friend Glyna does this really neat thing with her kids that they only get three gifts for Christmas, after all if it was good enough for Jesus, why not our little ones? So here is Ethan opening his three gifts:

Gift number 1: Clothes!

Gift Number 2: A Book (See the clothes under the book?)
Gift Number 3: A toy
Ethan in new clothes with new toy and new book at feet!

So much to say!!

Well, first of all one tooth has turned in to two! I'll try to post pictures later...they are just so hard to see right now! Also, Ethan likes peaches! The first couple of days were rough, he was not to sure about this new fruit, but tonight he ate them and did not make a face! Tomorrow for Christmas dinner Philip and I will be having sweet potatoes and Ethan will be joining us by eating his first homemade baby food! We are so excited about Christmas... This morning we opened our stockings and Ethan really is enjoying his keys. He gets really excited when he sees them!

Emma and Dante are also enjoying their stocking contents. They got some new chews and two new toys. They are having to keep them away from their visiting friend, Mac. (see pictures on flickr)

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

There is a tooth!!

A couple of days back (sometime last week) I went in to check on Ethan before we went to bed. Instead of a sleeping baby I found a very awake baby who was burning up! He ran a fever that night until 1pm the next day but he really didn't have any other symptoms...

Well, yesterday he was gnawing on my finger and, OUCH! There's a tooth in there! I would love to post a picture of Ethan's first tooth, but it is really shy! I've actually only seen it once when he was chewing on a toy that happened to push his tongue out of the way. If I do get a pic later of course it will be up here.

Yet another milestone reached...our little one is growing up!

Picture of "little snotty"

First little cold

So, Ethan is suffering from his first little cold. I'll take a picture of his snotty face and post it later! He can't really sleep well, but we are taking a hint from the White family and I've put him in his swing when he does finally fall asleep.

A new development is that he has started sitting up for seconds at a time. Its fun to see him sit up all by himself, but he can't really play with toys when he is sitting up because he has to use his hands to balance himself. Christmas should be really fun and we are looking forward to it.

I'll post pictures later!

Haircut Haircut!

So the other night after I gave Ethan a bath I combed out his hair and discovered that it went way past his shoulders....so chop chop. Here are some relative before and after pics.

This was a few months ago (how often do you take a picture of the back of your child's head?)

New Do!!

Blogspot supports video!!

I hope you enjoy these videos of Ethan!

The Puppies

Since we've gotten back from Alabama Ethan has really "noticed" the dogs. When we were at Susan's house Ethan did vocalize and reach for their hundred pound yellow lab, Boaz . So my developmental email for Ethan this week says that he may protest when toys are taken away. Yesterday I started putting him in his walker (which he loves) and just now when Emma left the room he started crying. HAHA! Who knew that Emma and Dante would become one of his "toys"?

Here's an added funny: my neighbor and her two children were just over and when the kids left Ethan started crying!!

Thankful - warning this one is kindof a tear jerker!

I know this is a little late, but Philip, Ethan and I spent Thanksgiving at the Lambert Family Reunion in Birmingham, Alabama. There we met over thirty other members of the Lambert family. It was actually kind of funny because the Boudreauxs were the only ones that weren't Lamberts. At the Quaschnick family reunions my grandparents are the only Quaschnicks (I guess that's the difference between having all boys and having all girls). Anyway, I'll post pictures up as soon as I get them from the relatives. Mawmaw Cindy bought Ethan an ADORABLE hat and I'll get pictures of that up on flikr (if not here) asap!

Meanwhile, I missed out on saying what I was grateful for (with 30+ at dinner you can't exactly go around the room). I'm going to start at this time last year and work my way forward. At this time last year we were telling our families that I was pregnant!! I am so thankful for the healthy un-miserable pregnancy that I had. I am thankful that one of my best friends Laura and I got to go through pregnancy for the first time together and that she too had a healthy little boy! I am so thankful that I got to meet and be a part of the South-Doyle family for 4.5 years. I miss you guys!!

Now for the box of kleenex. I am so grateful to God for Dr. McLeese and nurse Kathleen at Woman's hospital. Without their expertise and speedy response time, I know that Ethan could have died on July 2nd. They also both did a great job at calming me during the drama. When I screamed out for someone to tell me that it was okay Dr. McLeese got right in my face and said that everything was going to be okay that they were going to take care of everything. Also, the next day when they were taking blood from Ethan in the nursery and I wasn't allowed in Kathleen found me pacing the hall crying. She comforted me and told me about her daughter's stay at Children's and that everything was going to be okay..."They are great there. They really know how to take care of babies." There were several different nurses who helped me during our stay at Baptist West and I am thankful for all of them!!

Nikki took Ethan from me at Baptist and met Philip (and later me) at Children's in the NICU. I am thankful for her understanding and her kindness. Again, for all the nurses and doctors at Children's (Dr. Malik esp.) I am thankful. We went home everyday knowing that Ethan was in good hands, if not our own. While Ethan was there he received his own scrapbook, a dalmatian beany baby, a blanket, and other take home goodies. I am so thankful for all of the loving people that donate these things to the NICU. I give God thanks for their kindness and generosity. I am also thankful to Danielle who was here with us during an impossible time (we couldn't have done it without Auntie). She packed bags, lunches, clothes, whatever we needed and brought them wherever we needed. And when we were finally home she supported me in caring for little baby Ethan when Philip was not around.

I am always grateful to my husband who was my strength this past year (and continues to be). I know we have many hills ahead but together we can finish the journey! We looked to God for help, peace, and strength. He was faithful in all of these areas so I especially thank Him!!

Okay, now it's your turn. Do you have something to be grateful for this past year? Leave a comment, I'd love to read it!

Whispering stinks!

Well, it is official, I have laryngitis. You never realize how much you talk to your four and a half month old until you can't. Not to mention how often you sing or hum to them! And you can just forget about drive-thru windows. When will my voice come back? This is a direct quote from the doctor: "It's a toss up!" That's great. I love it when you go to the doctor with no voice and they tell you "It's laryngitis, can I have my $20.00?" I think you should only have to pay the doctor when they actually find something wrong with you that they can treat! No cure? No $20.00!

That's my two cents for the day.

The picture says it all!

Yes, folks this is foot art created by little snookums!

Here is Ethan holding his bottle:

Visit from Mimi...and that funny lookin dude that hangs out with her!

My mom and dad were in this week to visit with little Snooks! Mom has chosen the name Mimi, but my dad is still in denial that he is actually a grandfather (hence the title). We had a great time this weekend cheering for LSU! Ethan is now actively rolling from his back to his tummy. He still struggles with getting back to his back, but he is getting better. He can also prop his head up and look around when he is on his tummy, so that is fun. We go to Alabama next week for Thanksgiving so I'm sure we'll have more pictures then!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and thanks for participating in our survey!

It's hard being a baby...

I'm sitting in the recliner watching my son grunt and strain and grunt. You see, he has (for the second time this afternoon) rolled from his back to his tummy and is now frustrated to be there! It is quite funny and I'm tempted to leave him there long enough for him to figure it out...but he gets so mad...it's hard to just watch him get mad.

I'll let you all know what happens.

To be continued....


Well, he ended up turning over one more time but instead of grunting he went straight to crying...by then he was tired so he took a nap. Oh, to be a baby!

New Pics

This is just a warning that there are lots of new pictures up on the flickr site that you don't want to miss: http://www.flickr.com/photos/boudreauxpb/

Halloween and Four Month Checkup

So, Ethan was an adorable tiger for Halloween. And for those of you who didn't see it the first time here he is again on the big day!

Today we went to the doctor for his four month check up and more shots:( But, on a good note we did get to start cereal and it was a blast! I told myself I was going to wait for this, but he has had insatiable hunger the last couple of days and he did great! He opened his mouth when the spoon came towards it and he actually ate all two teaspoons of the cereal rather quickly. He did make a funny face after the spoon left his mouth, like, "What is this weird stuff still in here?" Also, check out the new stats on the right!

Pampered Chef

Yumm...Doesn't this look adorable?

Okay, so I know it is a little cheesy to advertise for my business on my own blog, but I really think that a lot of you that read this would enjoy this party. My neighbor Kristin is having a "Homemade for the Holidays" Pampered Chef party next Saturday (the 10th) at 3:00pm. I will demonstrate several gifts that you could homemake this year for Christmas! These would make great gifts for teachers (or for anyone for that matter). Everyone will leave with at least one homemade gift and recipes to go home and make more.

Let me know if you are interested in coming by emailing me at chefboudreaux@gmail.com

*This is the end of the advertisment*

Ethan's Dedication and New Coordination!

Ethan's Dedication with Pastor Bill

Proud Parents

On Sunday Ethan was dedicated at our church West Park Baptist. My grandparents were on hand for the event so that was cool. Curt and Sara Jawdy also agreed to be Ethan's godparents (Parrain and Nanny).

Proud Parents, Nanny Sara, Ethan, and Parrain Curt

Yesterday Ethan demonstrated his wicked coordination skills. When you place a toy in front of him, his hands come together and then, as they bring the toy to his mouth, it opens!! Yesterday morning we were laying in bed and Philip was getting ready and I showed Philip over and over the streamline coordination that his son now possesses. We've been working on rolling over, but no success yet. We have moved him from underneath his toys (when rolling over does not hold a purpose) to just a blanket with toys on either side of him.

Yesterday was also the first day of 6 ounce bottles. Instead of eating every three hours, Ethan ate every four. We'll see if that lasts.

I guess that's all for now. Mawmaw and Pawpaw went home this morning and Philip is busy at work. It looks like Ethan and I have the last couple of days of fall break to ourselves...

Geaux Tigers...or....Happy Halloween

I don't have much to say in this post except that I never thought that I would be buying my son a Halloween costume. But, our church does this huge outreach called "Trunk-o-Treat" where the church members decorate their cars and hand out candy in the church parking lot. It is a huge deal with firetrucks and blow up jumping things. Anyway, we've never been but this year Philip has been commissioned into helping transform two pick-ups into Noah's ark. And what does the ark need, but cute fuzzy animals to go in it?! We will definitely post more pictures after the big event. We think our friend Blaise (a.k.a. Noah's chicken) will be joining us.

P.S. Sorry LSU about the loss. Ethan stayed up late to watch all three overtimes:(

We don't need no stinkin' papoose

So, last night was the first successful night of sleeping without the "papoosinator". Yesterday morning when I woke up he had totally kicked and squirmed out of it from the night before and I began to irrationally fear that he could choke himself on the papoosinator....so last night he went to bed without it and "Voila!" He slept through the night peacefully. That's all for now. Here is a picture from yesterday's photo shoot with Sears. Isn't he the cutest three month old ever?!

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin

So, I went with Laura this morning to a place called Tremont in the Smokies. It is an residential program for grades K-12. Well, we were there just for the day to find some terrestrial salamanders as well as tag Monarchs! After lunch we were sitting in their council house and Ethan was laying on a blanket. Laura had made fun of me several times already because I kept leaving Ethan places and saying, "He can't roll over yet." Well, as our guide Jason was talking an amazing thing happened! Ethan went from his back to his belly. Laura took a picture of the baby and then a picture of my absolutely SHOCKED face. He has yet to repeat the feat, and I'm not really sure how he reacted other than the grunting ensued as soon as he was on his belly.

Hehe!! How fast they do grow up....

Ethan's the Boss

So, it is 7:30pm which is a little early to put Ethan to bed. But, he is fussy so I figured I'd rock him to sleep and he can take a little nap and then have one more bottle before heading off to bed. I rocked him for at least 10 minutes and he was not having any part of it. He squirmed and fussed, and refused to take his paci. I even turned off the lights on my side of the living room. Well, Philip then offered to try to take him up to bed. Ten minutes go by and not a peep. That's right folks, my son refused to be rocked to sleep. Hmm...I'm speechless.

One of the newest Saints fans

Our trip down to Louisiana was GREAT!! We thank and praise God for a peaceful plane flight to and from Lafayette! There are lots of pictures from the trip on flikr.com (which can be accessed at right). The reunion was a little disappointing. Only a few of my friends from high school were actually there. Philip and I did win the "High School Sweethearts" contest though, so that was cool.

This weekend we brought Ethan out for his first trip to the Smokies. We had our first family picnic too! I'm exhausted right now, but I'm sure I'll write more later. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday.

Our Third Family Portrait

The Boudreaux Family

This weekend our friend Mandy was visiting us on her trip down to Louisiana. She took what is I believe our third family portrait since Ethan was born. It was a little chilly outside so I got to dress Ethan in his longsleeve outfit from Old Navy. He looks so much different with a hat on!

He is eleven weeks as of today. He has just recently (in the last few days) started looking at you and smiling in reaction to what you do (not just because you look funny). We are going down to Louisiana in three days for my 10 year reunion. Please be thinking of Philip and I on Thursday night and next Tuesday afternoon. Hopefully we will have uneventful flights to and from Lafayette!! I look forward to being able to put up lots of family pictures when we get back.

Be sure to check flikr for more pics of Ethan.

New Toy

I had been struggling with making Ethan do his five minutes a day of tummy time. He just didn't seem to enjoy it and he would end up laying in a big pool of drool because he would try to eat the blanket the whole time he was on his tummy. Today I found the answer:
I originally saw this in an American Baby magazine and when I read the testimonials on amazon.com I decided to get it. Well, he really liked it! Not once did he make his little grunting noises, and although he still drooled, now he doesn't have to lay in it. The base that he is laying on spins around and it'll be exciting when he can start turning himself to look at all the different petals.
Each petal has something different: a mirror, a squeaky toy, crinkly butterfly wings, etc. Anyway once he has started crawling and such the base just lifts off and he can still play on the mat. Oh well, I just thought I'd share....

Sitting Ethan!!

Well, Ethan has been doing really well holding up his head while he is in the sitting position, so today I decided to try him out in his bebe pod....and what do you know? He likes it, he reallly likes it!!

New Thing!!

Our new talent

I've added the "Cool New Thing" line to the current stats column. This morning in the drive through line he actually looked at a toy that he was holding!!! I was so excited that I called Danielle and Mawmaw at 7:45 am (their time). Needless to say my sister was not to pleased with me. In my defense, I didn't expect her to answer. Oh well, we can't wait to get down there and see everyone....12 days and counting:)

Doctor's visit

We got our first set of shots today!! I say we because although I didn't cry as much as Ethan, I didn't keep my cool either. It is one thing to hear you son cry because he is hungry, tired or just mad. It is a whole different thing to hear him cry because he is in pain:( We got through it though. Hopefully he won't be too cranky for his dad this afternoon.

His stats are updated on the right and he is in the 33% for weight and the 49% in height.

Also I've added my friend Glyna's link on the side. Her kids are adorable!! I'll try to get some new pics of Ethan up here soon. We went to JCPenney yesterday and his pictures were ADORABLE!! I'll put those up too when they are available.

2 months!! (and one day)

So Ethan was officially two months old yesterday. Here's a quick snapshot into Ethan's life.

He is waking up now around 6:30 or 7 am for his first bottle. He was up to 4.5 oz at every feeding but for some reason the last few days he has never taken more than 4 oz. If it is a weekday he then gets changed in to some day clothes (we have many to choose from). On weekends he still gets changed, just not at 7:30 in the morning. I'm still putting socks on his little feet because they tend to get cold in the AC, but his hands no longer have boxing gloves since I've become quite a pro at clipping his nails. I know that since I said that I'll have my first incident soon, but such is life. Usually after his 7 o clock bottle he'll go back to sleep until 9 or so, but then he is up until his next bottle.

This pattern continues through out the day: eat, be awake, sleep, repeat. His awake time consists of smiling at inanimate objects, kicking, and flailing his arms about. To go to sleep he likes to be held, swung in his swing, go for a ride in the car, or just given his paci and laid down. Whatever the place he likes to be sung to. His favorite songs are "I'm a little teapot", the marching song from "The Jungle Book" and the theme song to "Shanghai Nights". Don't ask me why I sing these, they just come to mind when he is fussy and he seems to like them. I also either don't know the lyrics or I make up my own. This can become interesting depending on the time of day and fussiness of the child. i.e. "I'm a little fuss pot, hear me cry. I am crying and I don't know why."

At around 7 pm or so we change him in to his PJ's. He'll usually have his last bottle between 7 and 9pm. Then at about 9 or 9:30 it's up to bed. He gets swaddled in his "Papoose-inator" and we lay him down in bed. We turn on a little fan in his room for white noise and he gets his paci. There is also a vanilla candle in his bed from Brookstone that I turn on for light and smell. I'm not sure how long it takes him to fall asleep but we seldom hear from him again until morning.

Well, I hope everyone enjoyed that little "A day in the life of Ethan Boudreaux". He really is a good baby who doesn't cry unless he is tired or hungry (or flails about and pokes himself in the eye as happened this morning).

I hope everyone has a good labor day holiday!! Ethan goes to the doctor on Wednesday so I'm sure I'll have another update then. I'll also post more pictures to flikr soon.

Big Boy!! and Sad day

Last night was Ethan's first night going to bed without being swaddled!! He fell asleep really easy and although he cried at 2:30 and 4:30 he went back to sleep after being given his paci. He'll be two months old on the 2nd and he goes back to the doctor (and the photographer) on the 5th so there will be a weight and length update soon!
Well, right now I'm watching Oprah's show on the two year anniversary of Katrina. It is really sad and depressing and I can't help but wonder how the LA gulf coast is doing two years after Rita. I can't imagine that the countryside has healed much better than the city. I wish that their story wasn't overlooked.

Philip and I drove through New Orleans a year after Katrina and just seeing the city from the interstate was so sad to me. I always viewed New Orleans as a regal city with so much history and culture. It would break my heart to go back there and see it changed. Overall, I'm glad that Grandma and Grandpa got out when they did. I was sad at first that they weren't going to live there anymore, but after Oprah's reports on the increasing crime and decreasing health system I realize they are so better off in Houston.

Please keep the Gulf Coast in your prayers this week as they are all forced to relive the events of two years ago.

With that being said, I really can't wait to see the NFL get underway so we can watch the saints play some great football. GO SAINTS!!

More pics of Philip

Philip asked why I didn't put a newborn picture of him so here it is:

To help with the Survey!!

Ethan at one month

Philip at 7 weeks

Hillarious Blog!!

Philip ran across this woman thanks to our friend Reuben's website. Mom's everywhere must simply go and read this...you will crack up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144061675#description

Her blog is now on my list!!

You Tube!!

Well we've done it! We are now slowly publishing videos to the web. Family can request certain videos to be put on a DVD for them, but for right now I'm just working on publishing to the web. This is really a lot harder and slower than I thought.... Here is the link to our user.

http://www.youtube.com/user/cajunmusician

I should have two videos up by tonight and then I'll slowly add more. Getting them to my computer is easy...getting them online is a little bit of a different story. Thanks to Ethan's Uncle Craig for all his help. Couldn't/wouldn't done it without you!!

Eventful Morning...

So Ethan has been sleeping through the night for a week now! Last night he even went 10 hours before he woke for a bottle. It was nice to sleep in till 7! I guess those 4 ounce bottles are helping:)

So after waking and eating I changed Ethan's extremely dirty diaper and left him on the changing table while I went to get dressed (I know this won't last long, but for now he just lays there). He loves the mobile that hangs above his table. It seems like he could smile and talk to it for hours.

Right about the time I was finishing up getting dressed, I heard the sad cry. Ethan had thrown up all over himself and the changing table. Aww, little Snookums! Well, I undress him and decide I might as well give him a bath to get his hair all clean. I take off his diaper and before I can pick him up he has peed all over himself and the changing table.

Poop, Throw-up and Pee....all before 8 o'clock in the morning. Such is the life of a mother I suppose:)

Happy Birthday to ME!!

If Shawn can have a Spongebob cake for his 30th...

So, today is my 28th birthday!! I'm not to ashamed to wish myself a happy birthday so here I go, "Happy Birthday to Me!!" This year has been a strange one because with little Ethan around it's not just all about me....and that's an okay thing. Everyone definitely needs to check the flikr page for new pictures of Ethan....here's a teaser:

Regas!

Today Ethan made his first trip to Regas! Becky Ashe took us out to lunch there. Here is a picture of what I had for lunch.
Prime rib sandwich...yumm! I also had my own personal red velvet birthday cake. It was sooo good. Just wanted to share.

Ethan's Second Day: A must read!

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d6nrqqn_2fkcqd3

New Pics!!

Baby Ethan on the blanket that I just finished knitting for him!!

So Ethan has been doing great!! There are new pics on flikr, so follow the link on the right to see them. Danielle and I have been enjoying our last week together ;( Ethan has been sleeping more and more. Sometimes he makes it through the night but most of the time he wakes for a 3:30ish bottle. There seems to be no rhyme or reason for when this occurs and when it doesn't. He "saw" his first soccer game today when we went to watch South-Doyle in their jamboree. He slept through most of it...but it was a nice outing.

Not much else from here. I hope everyone enjoys the new pics!

"Miracles of miracles"

Well, this may have been just a one night thing, but little Ethan went for 9 hours with out a bottle!! It'll probably never happen again, but at 2:30am when he awoke for a bottle I gave him his passie and he went back to sleep.... I almost felt like a normal human being when he awoke again at 5:30am!

Score one for the 'rents!!

Tonight was a big night in the Boudreaux household!! After Ethan's bath Dad took over the bedtime swaddling, shushing, rocking, etc. (as has become the routine). Even though the bedroom was dark and mommy read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" Ethan's eyes remained plastered open. That's when Philip suggested we just put him down and see what happens......well folks, a miracle in little Ethan world. He put himself to sleep!!

Now that I've bragged on him I will probably endure the night from heck...oh well, this part was fun.

Ethan's first day.

Following is the story of the birth of our son, Ethan James Boudreaux, from his father’s point of view. The first week of Ethan’s life is a testimony to the perfect will of God; how He orchestrates things for His will whether we understand them at the time or not. Everything He does is for His Glory and I give it all to Him.

Philip Boudreaux

Follow the URL below.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d6nrqqn_1dbgb6r

Sleep Deprivation

Mommy and Ethan Naptime!

Last night when we went to bed we brought up three bottles with us. Ethan ate one at 3:30am and at 6:30 am when he got fussy I thought I got up and fed him a bottle. Well, at 7 he was still fussy and I thought he just needed to be burped. I went into his room and picked him up to try to burp him a little bit. Hmm...no burping, and he is still fussy. Maybe a diaper change? Nope, still fussy. Well, I just thought I'd go down stairs with him so Philip could get a few more minutes of sleep. Before heading down I grab a bag so that I can bring the leftover bottle down with me. When I opened the little fridge what did I find? Two bottles!! I never did feed him a bottle at 6:30.......

Oh, what happens to our brains when they are not rested properly!!

Changing of the Guard

Yesterday Mawmaw Cindy left to go back to Louisiana, but Auntie won't be back until later today. Well, last night when little Ethan was having trouble going to sleep I just retreated into the guest bedroom instead of having to go downstairs. At around 2 am he did finally go back to sleep and I put him in his crib. Instead of laying back down with Philip I just took the monitor in with me and I slept on the futon in the guest room. At around 6 am Ethan began to stir and cry just a little. Well, here comes Emma dog (who is now at eye level because of the sleeping arrangement) with her nose in my face licking me and licking me. "Leave it" I tell her, which usually results in an immediate halting of the licking. Not this time! I told her to leave it three seperate times and she would not stop until I got up to go see about the baby. Then she waited for me at the top of the stairs until I got to the nursery. After I picked Ethan up, I turned around and where was Emma? Back on her bed in our bedroom. Part of me wants to think she was trying to protect him by getting my attention, but another little part of me thinks she couldn't sleep with all that racket and she was thinking, "Can't you get up and silence that little noise maker?"

She's a sweet puppy and I'll try to think the best of her!!

My Friend Blaise

Blaise wonders what Ethan is so upset about!

Laura and Blaise Neff came over yesterday and we got to go out to Olive Garden for lunch. They sat us off in a private little dining room and it was so funny because Blaise and Ethan were sleeping. We set them both up in their car seats on the end of the dining table (it could seat like 16) and there they sat until we were done eating....and then they were both hungry:) Blaise was not very impressed with Ethan. He would just stare at him when he cried. I'm sure in 6 months things will be a lot different.

Ethan took a bath this morning and was much more calm. He made it through the whole thing without crying!! Yeah Ethan!

Mawmaw Cindy

"Little peanut"

Well, as you can see Mawmaw Cindy is enjoying the time she is getting to spend with Ethan. I still can't believe how hours turn in to days, days in to weeks, and I know here pretty soon weeks will be months. He is growing and changing everyday which continues to amaze me. Sunday we went to the church barbeque where he slept most of the time and last night we went to the last Ladies Night Out with Glyna Nunez because she is moving to Arkansas :(
We wish the Nunez family all of our luck and our prayers will be with you as you start this new chapter of your lives. Ethan will miss you!!

3 weeks!!

Bathtime is stressful! It takes three people and three hands to get me calm!

It's hard to believe we've made it to the three week mark. Ethan has been home and healthy for 14 days! He has a belly button now which is exciting and was the reason for the actual bath time shown above. Mawmaw Cindy will be making an appearance this afternoon so we'll have more pictures soon!

Good news....and Good news

Ladies?

Ethan went to the hematologist today and his platelets are still normal!! This pretty much means he has a good bill of health as far as his platelets are concerned. He will still get blood drawn when he goes to the pediatrician next month just to make sure, but after that he will no longer have to get tested.

As far as Philip and I's future children are concerned they will ALL have this problem. Probably worse with each pregnancy. Any future pregnancies will be considered high risk. I will need to see a perinatologist who will monitor my pregnancy closely. I will probably have a higher number of ultrasounds done to check for cranial bleeding during the pregnancy. Basically, we can still have children which is good, but there are risks involved. We also will have many treatment options but we can cross that bridge when we come to it!

Thank you all again for your prayers. We can't wait to share with Ethan what a testimony that this has been to God's ultimate sovereignty. I hope I never again question why things happen in my life because ultimately God has it all in his hands.

On a lighter note I have accepted the Science Instructional Coach position with Knox County for next school year. I am looking forward to staying involved in the education system.

Two Weeks!!

Sleeping on Mommy

I can't believe it has already been two weeks since Ethan came into this world. It has been an interesting two weeks for sure. I don't have much to say other than that the early morning feedings and lack of sleep have made me question how ANYONE can have more than one baby and not lose their minds! Just finding time to write this has been challenging... Ethan goes back to the hematologist tomorrow. Hopefully it will be the last time someone pricks him for a while. Also Philip and I will find out our blood work results and the possibilities (risks) of us having another child.

Thats all for now, I'll let you know how it all goes!

Home....

Ethan loves watching King of Queens with his Daddy at night.

Well, I know it's been awhile since I last posted. Ethan is doing great. We went to the pediatrician on Wednesday and after 3 hours we learned that his platelets are in the normal range!! He has now had two baths and lots of fun with the dogs!! During the end of the week and the weekend Ethan has been busy entertaining his grandparents. We posted more pictures on Flikr so check there for more cuteness:)

Thank you!!!

First of all I would just like to say thank you to all everyone out there who supported us with prayer through this "storm". Our first day home was a good one. Ethan even made a trip out to Babies R Us and Target. I'll post more pictures tonight but until then I do have one more prayer request tonight. I want Ethan to be breastfed but with him being fed bottles at the hospital this is proving to be a bigger challenge than I thought. I would just ask that God would show us what he would want us to do and give me success where needed. Tomorrow Ethan goes to the doctor for the first time. He will get another blood test done to check his platelets so prayer is also needed for that.

Again, thank you to everyone who has supported us thus far. I know it has made a difference in our lives.

Home Sweet Home

Well, he's made it!! We are finally home. If you'd like to see more pics make sure you check out the link to the right. That is where EVERY picture taken of him so far is found! I'm off to take a nap:)

The car ride home (with puppy Martin of course)

And then the tour began.....

The Living Room

The Kitchen
Sunroom with Doggy inspection!!
The nursery

Mom and Dads bedroom (which apparently is boring)