Ethans First tears... and laugh

It was a big day for Ethan. He had his first real tears, but he also had his first laugh. He had bad gas and could not get a burp out, that caused the tears. I can seet his will bring a whole new spectrum of guilt pangs for Mom and Dad as his tears could truly break one's heart.

Now for the good stuff. Ethan loves it when Daddy takes a burp cloth and tickles his face with it and talks to him. He started smiling when I do this weeks ago, last week he started cooing and agooing. Sunday he was doing this so hard he would produce a real laugh at the end. It was the best ever... till Emma does it in the next week or so. Since she was born smaller she is usually about a week to week and a half beind Ethan on developmental milestones. It's kind of cool to see Ethan do something and know she will be doing it soon.

Emma and Ethan go to Marinel's 3rd birthday party

Emma and Ethan got invited to our good friends Tahra and Keith's daughters 3rd birthday party. Mike, Marta and their 20 month old son Jordan were there also. Tahra, Mike and I all opened the Lincolnwood Kohls' store together and also all worked at Kmart but at different times. It was great to see everyone again. Hopefully we can see each other more now that I am a stay at home dad and have more flexibility in my schedule.

Here's the birthday girl getting ready for cake. She loves Dorie from finding Nemo, so Tahra had a really neat Dorie cake made for Marinel

Here Marinel is getting ready to blow out the candle.

Keith serves up the cake while the family supervises.

Marinel posing for her picture. She is quite the little actress. Tahra had this neat backdrop with Finding Nemo characters that could be placed and replaced in different spots so the kids could pcik whi they wanted their picture taken with. It was pretty cool.

Here's Mike and Marta's son Jordan. I LOVE his backpack. It's a Dale Earnheart Jr. car backpack and Dale Sr. is my all time favorite Nascar driver. Jordan is such a cute boy.

Here's Mike, Marta and Jordan posing by Nemo

Here we are. Can you tell we woke them for the picture and to put them in their car seats. They were not happy at the moment but qickly got over it.

Here's Tahra, Keith and the birthday girl Marinel. Happy birthday Marinel!!

Emma & Ethan visit Grandma and Grandpa Samsons House

Here's Landon holding Ethan at Grandma and Grandpa's Samson's house. Landon is sooo cute. He said right after this, " Can I hold Emma, I've never held a girl!"

Emma strutting her new skills at Grama's. She is sucking her thumb and holding onto her rattle. Both new skills for her.

Here's Grama, Emma and Grama's new puppy Holly.

Grandma and Grandpa Gustafson come for a visit

Here's Emma resting on Grama's shoulder. It is their 3 month birthday today.

Ethan is having fun with his bear "Blue" and Carl.

Welcome Home Mommy

Emma and Ethan made Mommy a sign to let her know we missed her on her first day back to work

We go on a walk

It was cool, but we decided to go for a walk over to the forest preserve on our first day home alone. Emma and Ethan were little angels.

John's First Day Home Alone

Well it’s here. I am finally home alone. All is going well so far, both ate 5.5z at 7 am. We all miss Mommy though!

Caught Carl sleeping

We caught Carl napping and decided to wake him up by putting Ethan in his arm.

Mom and Carl came in to visit today

Grama Gustafson came in for a visit and was nice enough to put Emma to sleep after taking her for a walk.

Finally got a ride in

Snuck in a quick ride before work!

Bath time

Both Ethan and Emma are really starting to like bath time. Emma more than Ethan, but Ethan is coming around. Here they are getting dried off.

Ethan says I can sit up too!

Tada! I can sit up too! I don't see what the big deal is. It' easy peasy lemon squezzy EASY.

Emma fighting sleep

Emma sits up on the couch for the first time

I got home and Nanc had taught Emma a new trick.

Emma and Ethan go to Nancy's office

Emma and Ethan got to go to Nancy's office and meet her co-workers. It was nice to get to meet so many of you. Thanks for all the kind words of support during the pregnancy. Nanc will see you all on the 22nd of Nay when she returns.

Got Milk?

Emma was more interested in playing with the bottle than eating.

Emma and Ethan meet Uncle Bob, Aunt Marie and Joey

Ethan and Emma got to meet Uncle Bob, Aunt Marie and cousin Joey today. What a cutey Joey is. The pics are from the luncheon celebrating Joey's first communion.

Our good friends Simmie, Laura and Daniel came over for a visit and dinner

Ethan and Emma finally got to meet our good friends Simmie, Laura and their son Daniel. They still have to meet their other son Travis. We hope we do as well with Ethan and Emma as they do with Daniel and Travis. It was great to see you. Sorry we took so long to have you over.