Time to catch up

Wow...I didn't realize it had been July since I last updated E's blog. For those depending on this blog for Ethan updates....Ethan has been good. He is a super good kid and we enjoy every moment with him. We recently went to Utah with the Clark side of the family and Ethan had his first ski and snow experience. I didn't realize they even made ski's for kiddos Ethan's age, but they do.....and these kiddos are really good. Could it be that they are too young to know fear? I don't know but as I was tumbling down the slopes....kiddos not much older than Ethan were passing me up making it look so easy. ;) Nonetheless, we are looking forward to our next ski trip.
Ethan is going thru a rough sleep phase. He doesn't want to go to sleep without mommy and daddy in the room with him. He also doesn't want to sleep in his toddler bed anymore. Yep..time to get a bigger bed. In the meantime, he sleeps in the murphy bed in the guest room. Last night we started transitioning into the tough mom and dad sleep routine....which basically meant that Ethan stood by our bedroom door for about an hour. We kept telling him to go back to bed...but he would walk back to our door each time. I think we are going to have to get tougher (i know, you think). We are reading books and doing all we can to figure out what will work best for E. :( A friend at work told me about "the nanny" routine. Basically after your regular routine you stand with your back to him. If he gets up, you have to keep putting him back in bed and turn your back to him and not talk to him at all. Each night you stand a little further away, so you are eventually out of sight. It kills me to not be able to soothe my little guy...but I know he needs this so he can have a healthy amount of sleep each night. Oh and a good amount of sleep for us would be nice too. ;)
In other news, we enrolled Ethan in a soccer class that started in Sept and ended a few weeks ago. I really think he enjoyed it and it definitely helped to teach him how to listen and follow directions. I think we will enroll him in a few more classes this year. Ethan also goes with us to CrossFit often and he loves to play with the other kiddos there. He also loves our trainer Jared. He likes to imitate him when he is explaining to the class what the workout is. It is super cute. He is also a burpee master. I have never seen a 2 year old kill a burpee workout (or any workout) like he can. ;) Oh, I am sure there will be CrossFit in his future.
Anyway, I hope the new year brings many blessings to all of you and your families this 2012.
Take care.
Tanya

Update on Ethan

Well, the daycare switch is going good. The first two days were really rough, but I think Ethan is starting to make some friends and warm up to the teachers. I feel so bad for the little guy. Going from a place where he knew everyone ever since he was 6 weeks old, to not knowing a single soul. I seriously cried after dropping him off on Monday knowing how hard this week was going to be for him. However, we are now finished with day 4 and he is already 50% happier. So, I just know by the end of next week, he'll be all settled in. I am so proud of him and how strong he is. Yay little E!

T

Daycare Switch!

Unfortunately, we had a pretty eventful week last week where Ethan's daycare is concerned. It turned out the church's pastor was not happy with the contract with the school and ended up kicking them out? Yeah, I know, sounds like there is alot more that we don't know.  Nonetheless, we had a week to find backup daycare for the little guy. This stinks in so many ways, not to mention the fact that I was traveling last week which left John running around to tour some new daycare options. Also, Ethan has been with Sage Academy since he was six weeks old. We LOVED the teachers there and so did Ethan. Luckily we have kept in touch with them to babysit Ethan every now and then. Also, we lucked out and one of the previous teachers offered to watch Ethan for a few weeks until we find a new school for him. Her name is Tracy and she has a little boy about 6 months younger than Ethan...his name is Max. So, Max and Ethan have been hanging out this week and today they went to the Children's Museum! Below are some pics that Tracy sent me!

So, John and I opted to pull Ethan out of Sage even though they are moving to a closer location. They are loosing all of the teachers we love and we just don't have the faith in their ability to run their business appropriately. Most importantly keeping the teachers and kids best interest at heart. I especially feel this way after stopping by Friday and seeing them using their teachers to move everything out of the school while one teacher was watching all of the kids in one tiny room. Not ok. We think we have found a new school that we fell in love with and I promise to report how Ethan makes that transition. He is such a social boy and I know he will do well.
T

Allergies, ugh

As I shared a few entries ago, we did get Ethan tested for allergies. I got a call while on my press check today from the doctor's office to go over his results. Here are the convicted allergens that have my baby sneezing, dealing with a pretty consistent running nose, and lately bothering his poor little tummy.

Home allergen:
Our cat Sierra :(

Food:
He's considered highly allergic to these:
yogurt
buttermilk
Cassein
American cheese
Moderately allergic to these:
Cows milk
parmesean cheese
mozzerella cheese
cottage cheese
swiss cheese
and on the low allergy list are these:
Kidney beans
Cinnamon
egg whites
gluten
goats milk
Oranges
Oysters
soy bean
wheat
whey

We have an appt with Dr. Seudekum to go over these allergens in more detail and also a nutritionist who will help us come up with good ideas and ways to avoid these foods as much as possible. After talking with a few people and researching a bit, I believe that most allergies (especially food allergies) at Ethan's age are just temporary. So, although we will probably take that route of avoiding these foods for the most part, we know that these are not life threatening to Ethan and in small quantities will be alright to consume. Maybe we will have a different opinion after Ethan's appt next week, but for now that is how we feel. Also, I definitely think that after Ethan is older it will be worth while to test him again, just to see what if anything he is still allergic to at a little older age.

Anyway, that is the update on Ethan for now.
So, anyone want a cat? ;)

Tanya

Do you want to go swimming Ethan?

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so this video was shot after Ethan let out his enthusiasm about going to the pool...but it was so cute we had to get it on camera....with a little convincing the second time. ;)

Swim Excitement

Follow please!

If you are following Ethan's blog, please click on the Follow button on the top right of Ethan's page. This way I know who's following my little guy! ;)

Thanks!
The Mama

Getting Big!!

Today was Ethan's 2 year check-up. No vaccines today, but Ethan did have to brave a needle anyway. We decided to get Ethan tested for animal and food irritation allergies. Ethan has had allergies pretty much all of his life and we want to do everything we can to avoid his constant nasal irritations. This was just the blood test, so Ethan had to have blood drawn. Mommy went first to show Ethan how it works and then Ethan sat on my lap while the nurses drew his blood. He did jerk his arm and cry a little bit, but he was a total champ and I am so proud of him!

Ethan's 2 year stats:

Height - 36"
Weight - 28 lbs