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!