I can't believe it. I actually completed something. Below are two small projects that I was able to complete while Ethan was asleep.

My Valentine's project this year. I found a cute pattern online to make the suitor solider from Alice in Wonderland.

My Easter hand towels, bunnies and jelly beans.

I was able to make a small table cloth for St. Patrick's Day/Spring. I am still trying to finish a baby blanket that I started with a neighbor friend. Hopefully it will be completed by the end of March.

Valentine's Weekend

Ethan and I decided to go up and visit Grandma and Grandpa Bird over Valentine's Day weekend while Matt was working. It was a fun sleepover party with Curt Ryan and Ava as well. Ethan had such a great time playing with his cousins. He just thought that he was so big. Grandma had some fun balloons and Valentine's cupcakes for the kids. Thanks for the great V-Day.

Ethan playing with the big kids. He crawled in the middle of the play
mat and just plopped down.

Ethan playing at the big table. I couldn't believe he sat on that chair
and played for about 10 min.

The kids with their Valentine's cupcakes, which of course had to have candles.

Ethan with Grandma and Grandpa.

Bath Time Ritual

One of Ethan's favorite times of day is bath time. Which I must say is one of my favorites times as well. Not only does Ethan get so excited, but it means that it is close to bedtime.

Some how Ethan has this internal clock that lets him know that it's time to get in the tub. If we are downstairs, he'll head for and start climbing the stairs to the bathroom. Once upstairs, he'll go to his bathroom and sit on the floor and look at me expectantly. We gather all of his stuff and set it up in the bathroom and then Ethan will crawl down the hallway to the tub giggling as he goes.

Ethan doesn't like to get his hair washed so he has to hold one of his tub toys while he lies down to get his hair rinsed. He has such long hair that flows in the water. It cracks me up every time. Recently he has learned how to turn on the water faucet (thanks Matt), so now that is all he wants to do during his bath.


When we are done with his bath, Ethan does a perfect dismount from the tub and always points his toes as he is lifted out and onto his towel. He loves to be wrapped up in his towel and cover his face for a game of peek-a-boo. He'll hide his face under the towel with his toes poking out and whisper as you try and find him. It is so hilarious because he thinks he is so tricky.

Then comes the battle of distracting him long enough to comb his hair, brush his teeth, and put on his diaper and jammies before he can make a break for it.

Usually by the end I am soaked and tired, but we always have such a good time and I love that clean baby smell.

Sweet Smell of Sucess

In my efforts to be more domestic, I have decided to start making bread. My first attempt was a complete disaster since I killed the yeast. My second attempt was an improvement; my bread rose somewhat, but all I ended up with were two piddly loaves. Finally, on my third try I ended up with this beauty. If you think it looks good, it tasted even better.

2008 in Review

I know this is a little late, but I was just thinking the other day how much things have changed compared to a year ago.

Obviously the biggest change in our lives has been having a baby. At the beginning of 2008 I was busy working 40 plus hours a week as an Account Manager at SelectHealth and having trouble keeping my pants from falling down because of my big belly. Matt was working all the time at his restaurant and in his limited spare time was still trying to finish his boat (going on two years). Matt and I were renting a house in Bountiful and trying not to freeze since there was no heat in our bedroom.


A year later in 2009... I am excited that I get to be a stay at home mom with Ethan. I love to spend the day with him and see him grow. We no longer have to worry about freezing during the winter (our heater works in every room) or shoveling a huge driveway since we bought our town home in Murray. Matt still works a lot at the restaurant, but at least now I can be home when he has his days off. Matt's boat is finished and we were actually able to take it out a couple of times last year.

Below are some of the highlights from 2008:

* Ethan made his debut a day early on my birthday. Yes, I was surprised and didn't think I was actually in labor.


* I went back to work for a week and decide to trade in my laptop and heels for diapers and tons of giggles (so worth it).


* Matt finished his boat.


* Purchased our first home. Hopefully this will be the last move for at least five years.

* Of course Ethan had a ton of firsts this year:

First Holiday: five days old on St. Patrick's Day.


First Camping Trip: at five months with Grandpa and Grandma Bird, Jaime and CRC at the Star Valley Ranch.


First Hike in the mountains.


First Teeth.


First time his Mom gets to dress him up in a cute Halloween outfit. What a cute Roamin' Gnome.


First taste of chocolate.



First Christmas: nine months old.



First Steps: on Christmas Day.

For now, Ethan is still awaiting his first hair cut and first sip of Coke.

Happy New Year!!

Ethan ringing in 2009. What a party animal.
Happy New Year!

B&B Sales Party

The B&B party was great this year, as usual. However, we did miss not have Jaime, Phil and CRC there. Ethan was so fun to watch. He was improving his walking skills which he recently developed two days earlier. He still needs a little help, so Matt and I bought him a toy truck that has a walker feature. Ethan was running all around the restaurant with his cousins thinking he was hot stuff. By the end of the night his check were so flush and he had worked up quite a sweat.


When we got back to Matt's parents later that evening, we discovered that Ethan had developed another new skill that he had been practicing at my mom's earlier that day, crawling up the stairs. First independent steps now stairs. Maybe this is why he hasn't been sleeping lately.