Ethan turns 4!!

4 years ago (on the 20th) I was having a baby surgically removed after making no headway with the progression of labor. Not to mention all the other problems that arose as the day went on.

At 4:20 Ethan was brought into this world. 6 lbs 11 oz and 20 1/2 inches.

Honestly I don't really remember much. Bits and pieces of that night.

Here is what I remember:

Laying on the surgical table
Freezing cold
Arms stretched out and strapped to the arm boards
Shaking uncontrollably
Slipping in and out of awareness
Being really frustrated that they insisted on putting a stupid partition up so I couldn't see a thing
Turning my head just in time to see them holding a blurry blue baby around the partition and then realizing he was gone again
Being so thankful that Bill was there to support me and then to hold our little one and beam with overwhelming joy

Watching the Bill and the nurse move my legs to a different bed and not being able to feel a thing
Holding the most amazing part of humanity you will ever encounter
Being afraid of dropping this beautiful bundle because I was still shaking and asking Bill to hold under my arm
People coming in and out of the room (keepsake pictures are such a wonderful thing)
Waking up in a completely different room, with completely different family members, and no child
Having Bill call again to find out where he was and how long they were planning on keeping him from us

He didn't join us again until 1:30 in the morning. Something about his temperature not being stable. I think I tried to block it out.

And 4 years later I can't believe how big he is, how fast it has gone, and how much more life he has to live. He amazes us every day.

too quiet

The other day I was finishing up the dishes while Bill was out delivering some lights when I noticed it was a little too quiet in the house. James was asleep so I wasn't concerned there. But when Ethan didn't answer I decided to see what he was up to.. this is what I found...

The Jungle Gym

After reading a post of a fellow blogger on making a jungle gym, I have been waiting until I had the time and the hula-hoops came out.

Well they did, and with the World Cup going on I have found the time!

What do you think?

One of the best parts? They both can play under it together and there is enough room!

Whispies

Before:

After:

I know, you really can't tell the difference, but trust me, there is a difference. We trimmed all the long (and I really mean long) hairs on the sides and the back. Then we trimmed a good half inch off the top.

Sorry the pictures are fuzzy. My camera and I are not getting along lately.

Cereal

James did pretty good with cereal last night. Didn't like it but didn't hate it either.

Random Family Shots

I love taking a picture of someone else taking a picture. It's fun!

This photo was a great surprise. Thanks Gary!

Cousins.. There is such a great bond between the boys and thier cousins.

I think this is the only picture I was in the whole weekend. Maybe that is the reason I'm usually taking the pictures.


My brother likes to hold all babies... Yeah right. When Ethan was only months old I ended up shoving him in Uncle Bubba's arms to run in the other room. When I got back in the room he was still in the same position with the same shocked face (mind he was only 18). He has loosened up a bit, but he also has a rule about spit up.. As you can see, James doesn't care for rules very much.




Brownies and Games. We ended up playing Apples to Apples till late that night. What an awesome game when you have the right crowd!! Of course it helps when I win the first game.

Pre-Birthday party

Since we had so many family members here with us, we dicided to celebrate Ethans upcoming birthday.
He loved everything!







You'll notice there was no cake. Ethan only eats the frosting so I asked him what he wanted.

Brownies it was.

Swimming

For memorial weekend we were lucky enough to have most of our family visiting us for Jameson's blessing. This also meant we were able to use one of only a couple swimming pools in the valley. So we made a party of it!

Mornings

There are very few reasons for anyone to get up before 6 am. Here is one of mine. Now that it is starting to get light earlier I get to enjoy the wonderful sunrise and all it brings with it.
Most mornings I drag myself out of bed to go running, but when I know it is worth it when I get outside. Smelling the clean air and getting to take in all the scenery.

Enjoy!

We are breathing better!

Trees, trees and more trees!!!

A couple weeks ago we were able to plant some trees in the yard. When I say some trees I mean 12!

Bill picked up the trailer with the trees and our friend pulled the excavator over. While they started digging the holes his son came over with the skidster to help.

Ethan didn't get out of the excavator until they were loading it back on the trailer. He had so much fun digging the holes.



It was such a blessing to have the equipment there as the weather was not cooperating.

Slowly but surely we will get them all covered. How wonderful it is to look out the windows and see the beautiful trees.


This was a surprise tree!! A Canadian Cherry.. Only Bill would get a Canadian tree as a surprise.