Guess the Boy

All right, folks. Some of these are Ethan, and some of these are Aidan. Can you guess which boy is which?

Growing Up

So (despite what you probably thought when you read the title), this post is about Aidan. Maybe it's just because I have a baby again to compare to Aidan, or maybe just because Aidan's getting older, but over the last month Aidan has really seemed to grow up. Suddenly, he can play independently (which is new and VERY exciting for me!). In fact, his favorite toys right now are these Toy Story toys that we are borrowing from some friends. He takes one with him EVERYWHERE, and he talks to them like they are real people - super cute.

He is completely potty trained except for night time (only because he can't get his clothes back on by himself and I don't want to be waking up for both boys instead of just one. Aidan is begging to wear underwear at night, too.). He doesn't even ask me or tell me if he needs to go potty - he just goes! (This makes for some humorous situations when he runs out of the bathroom naked from the waist down in the middle of piano lessons!)

All of the sudden, he stopped wanting naps. While he will occasionally fall asleep during his quiet time (see below), for the most part he can go all day without a nap and be fine. (Sad for momma!)

His sense of humor is growing and developing - he understands teasing more and even tries to tease us.

And he suddenly understands playing games way better than he used to. This video shows how he plays hide and seek with the Jessie doll. Notice that he hides her himself, then "counts" while peeking. When he's running around the house, he's saying, "Is she over here? No. Is she over here? No." And then he finds her! So cute!

I sure love my not-so-little boy!

Ethan

I've been meaning to post more pictures, but life tends to catch up with me! Here's some more shots of my little boy.

This is my favorite one, and the most recent. I LOVE his grin!

This shows how his little thighs are filling out. They're getting so pinchable!

Mom, this one's for you. Isn't is so cute to see him peeking out in the little hat?!

He's getting so big! He smiles now (a LOT!), and he will coo at you in conversations now. We had to bump him up to 3-6 month clothes around 6 weeks old, and now at 10 1/2 weeks old, I'm already thinking that the 6-9 month clothes won't be too far away!

At his 2 month appointment, the stats were:

12 pounds 14 ounces

23 3/4 inches

(I have to write it down here because it interests me... sorry if it's boring for you!)

Here we have brother bonding time:

And this one is new on the sidebar, but in 3 years it won't be there, so here's an updated family shot. We took this on Ethan's blessing day.

We sure love our boys!

A Conversation with Aidan

We are working on potty training with Aidan. He is a champ at #1. Number 2? Well, not so much. Hence, our conversation the other morning:

Me: "Aidan, are you poopy in your pants, or did you just do a toot?"
Aidan: "Nothing."
Me: "Well, it stinks in here, so I know you did something."
Aidan: "It was Daddy."
Me: "So he tooted at work and we can smell it all the way here at home?"
Aidan: "Yes. He pooped his pants."

HA!

More Ethan

Grandma came to visit! Here she is loving on both of my boys. :)

LOVE this little face!!!

Seeing slightly more awake time now:

I know Lisa loves baby chunk, but I actually think the chicken leg stage is quite adorable! I had to capture it since it's something I forget so quickly.

He's howling, but isn't this onesie just perfect for a baby Steele?

Ethan has a blocked tear duct on his left eye (the right side as you are looking at his face). It means he will have a lot of mucous and extra tears until it (hopefully) opens on its own sometime before he turns 1. You can see the little lower eyelid starting to swell in this picture. :(

(And the baby acne - thanks, Mom! (inside joke))

Mike snapped this stealth picture. But it captures some very real moments in our household!

I love that he still curls into fetal position - I will miss that when it goes away.

I can see why second babies don't get as many pictures as first babies - you're just too busy to pull out the camera! But this time around I realize just how quickly each little thing disappears, so I'm really trying to notice and love those moments of the fencer pose, or the frog legs, the little tiny wrists, even the baby acne! I am in awe that the Lord let me help in the creation of this new miracle!

Links to Share

I remembered that newborns are tough, but being in the experience reminds me all over again. I love the little guy, and he's totally worth it, but I have a hard time remembering that at 4 am some nights!

That being said, I've recently come across two links that I thought were worth passing along to fellow parents.

The first link, found here http://momastery.com/blog/2012/01/04/2011-lesson-2-dont-carpe-diem/ is about those people that tell you to enjoy every minute of raising your children because they grow up so fast. The author says that while this message is good in theory, she hears it and feels guilty that she is not in a constant state of joy and ecstasy while parenting. I love her conclusion that there are two types of time, and while we can't literally enjoy every minute of parenting (like stepping in a pile of poop in your son's closet, as I did the other day!), we can stop every day and realize the small things about parenting that are miraculous and lovely. I thought it was a very uplifting (and guilt-reducing!) article!

The second link, found here http://studerteam.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-rules-for-mothers-of-sons.html?m=1, gives some guidelines for raising sons. Some are funny, some are sweet, some are practical, all are good reminders to me of why I am so lucky to have the privilege of raising my two beautiful boys.

I am so imperfect as a parent. I have many times that I wish I could ask for a do-over, especially under the influence of sleep deprivation! However, I am so grateful to have a kind and considerate husband, two forgiving boys, and a Heavenly Father who knows my needs even before I can voice them.

And? I'm so grateful to know that Ethan will eventually sleep through the night! I will survive until then, one sleep-deprived night at a time!

Ethan Michael Steele

Sorry I am so slow to post, but we have a new little member of our family!

Ethan Michael Steele was born on Dec. 18, 2011 at 2:26 pm. He weighed 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 3/4 inches long. He is cuddly, healthy, and adorable, and all of us are THRILLED to have him join our family!