Happy to have landed in DC!

While Ethan seemed more than content to climb on and cuddle with his mom for 6 straight hours in an Economy seat, we were BOTH happy to be back home!  The nearby passengers that literally cursed upon seeing a baby seated near them came over and complimented how good he was!

"We made it Mommy!"

Stories and pics from our trip to LA coming soon!

We have the greatest friends and family- and a pretty cute kid too!

Thanks to everyone's votes, facebook posts, and emails, Ethan won a $1,000 prize for being an "Impossibly Cute Kid- Fan Favorite"!  That money will be gone one day, but the sense of support from our family and friends will be a lifelong memory.

Now the voting site shows this headline:

Wow, if he kept this up, Ethan would start paying for himself!  A heartfelt thank you to everyone who put in all that effort!

Yes, he owns another shirt

As I was writing this post to share with you the last bit of our Easter adventure visiting the cherry blossoms, my dear sis wrote me asking, "So, does your kid have another shirt besides that Obama one?" (I bet my Grandpa was wondering the same question!) Why yes, he does, but he did grow out of most of his short sleeve shirts so it is in heavy rotation! So here's the disclaimer, these three posts are from the same day, I do cloth my child, but I also do need to go shopping now that it's getting warmer.

Finally, here are our pictures with the cherry blossoms!

(testing for pollen allergies apparently)

When your kid becomes a tourist attraction

When we last went to the National Mall to see the cherry blossoms, we stopped by some beautiful tulips for a couple of pictures.  Little did we know what would occur...

We snapped a few pictures...

 Ethan wanted to eat a flower...

And while we posed... it happened. 

 A small line started of people.  Asking to take pictures with our child.  Really?!

This woman borrowed someone's Easter balloon to get a smile for her photo op. 

Needless to say, we found it hilarious!

If Ethan starts getting vain though, I'm telling him it was only because of his Obama shirt.  (See what your gift started, Caroline and Frank?)

I have the two most handsome men in the world in my life!

"Weeeeee!"

 

"This is the best ride...."

"ever!"

Help make Ethan a winner?

I'm so proud of my little redhead!  A few weeks back I entered a photo I took of Ethan in Babble's Impossibly Cute Kid Photo Contest.  Out of thousands of entries, he was chosen as one of the top 20 finalists!  Now it's down to popular vote to see which child wins $1,000!!  

If you have a spare moment between now and April 15th, mind voting for our little model?  

Click here to vote!

There's no registration or log in needed, it's a simple click!  And family members out there... you can show your love by voting once a day until the 15th if you'd like! ;)  

Thanks in advance for validating his Mommy's vanity and 

for helping put some cash in his college fund!

Update: 4/16- YOU DID IT!! ETHAN WON!

Put a kid in overalls...

and he goes all Tallahasee on ya!  Or is it Pennsylvania?  Oh boy.  

And Ethan, if you think growing up with parents who met working as a Hall Director and a Campus Police Officer gives you a chance at underage drinking in your house?  Oh buddy!  

Get ready for some seriously un-cool teenage years, son.

Ethan's thoughts on Obamacare?

"You mean before, if I got real sick, insurance companies could drop me because my treatments cost too much or reject me because of a 'pre-existing condition'?  And I'd get kicked off of Mommy and Daddy's insurance right when I graduate college, even when I'm in law school?"

 "But not anymore?! Thanks Obama!!"

Smart kid.

Seriously buzzed.

Others may get high off of smoking a joint or popping a pill, but I get seriously high when I find a good deal.  Especially those very hard to find promo codes coupled with a cash back kick back.  Oh sweet online shopping, you're so good to me.

Our little leprechaun...

says Happy St. Paddy's Day!

(what do you do when your redheaded baby doesn't own a green shirt for St. Patrick's Day? Don't let him wear one at all!  Can't ruin the photo op!)

Swinging Towards Spring!

It is finally warming up and looking more and more like spring is upon us.  What better way to celebrate than introduce Ethan to the swingset! 

 

Here's a video of his first few pushes!

We chose our house, in part, because of the multi-acre park adjacent to the backyard with a full playground. 

 

I think Ethan approves of our decision!

Stomach flu and parenting don't mix

Chris and I are finally coming out on the other side of a brutal stomach flu, ugh.  Ethan seemed to know we didn't have much energy, and kindly played with his toys solo longer than he usually does.  And as I laid groaning on the couch, he showed off his new skill and pulled himself up to stand on the couch next to my face and flashed a huge smile, over and over.  Nothing made me feel better than that!  Now here's to hoping that he doesn't catch it!

And the race to babyproof begins!

Ethan is flying around the house on all fours, and as of this weekend, is pulling himself up to stand.  Luckily, we had gotten the gate up in front of the kitchen in time!

 

"Ha-ha! You guys were just one step ahead of me!"

  

"Daddy, I can help with the dishes!"

  

"Just because you're a police officer doesn't mean I have to be behind bars!"

  

To this I just smile and tsk, tsk.  He's growing far to fast for his Mommy. 

Putting the "date" in "playdate"!

Ethan had his first real playdate this weekend, and all the moms noticed who had the best moves with the ladies! 

 

"So ladies, come here often?"

  

"I bet your boyfriend can't crawl like this!"

  

"Oh, don't be mad about me talking to your friend!  There's enough of Ethan to go around!"

 

Then, taking his cue from Lady & the Tramp... 

Ethan coyly shared a rattle (spaghetti isn't on their 7 month old menu yet!).

 

Ethan finally found his play date. 

Family "Staycation" Travel Journal, Day 2

The first thing on our day's agenda was Ethan's first swim in a pool!  Chris had ensured he booked a hotel with an indoor heated pool, and while the snow was frozen outside, we got to take him for his first swim inside!

 

Ethan sported his bathing suit for the first time.  Our good friend Laura had given Ethan that suit during my baby shower... did she know ahead of time it would match his hair?

 

Oh, he knew he looked good, and wanted to show off his big muscles!

 

Modeling from the pool table...

 

 

to pool side!

 

"Let's do this Mommy!"

 

He looked puzzled at the vast body of water below.

 

Here's a video of his first dip!

 

Confident now, he got ready to do his favorite activity all morning...

 

SPLASH!

Looking like prunes, we finished our morning swim and continued on to explore the National Harbor some more.

 

Brrrr!  The view was beautiful, but it was much colder than the warm indoor pool. 

 

And during our visit to the Gaylord Conference Center ...

 

Ethan wanted to go back to swimming too!

  

"Is this art sculpture (The Awakening) coming to tickle me?"

 

"Thanks Daddy for planning such an awesome trip!"

Staycation over, now back to the real world...