In touch

I am so proud of Ethan's real sense of his own feelings. He has the ability to communicate his true feelings more than some adults I know. It started when Weezie told me Ethan was upset when she told him she was going to run to the store and let Mr. Bill watch them for a bit. Very attached to Weezie he says, "no Weezie, don't leave, that makes my feelings run away!" Ok, so not quite but so close. Now he seems right on target. When we discipline Ethan or tell him no, he promptly, emphatically states, "that makes me feel SAD" usually with arms crossed and eyebrows furrowed. The other day I don't recall what we were talking about but he told me "that makes me feel nervous". Today I came home early from work with a terrible head cold and tried to get an hour of sleep in before Jarett and Ethan came home. I heard Ethan's bounce as soon as he entered the house so I woke to greet them. "Mommy, I sorry I wake you up." "It's ok Ethan", "Oh thank you Mommy, that makes my heart feel super happy".

Can you imagine him at 20. Oh he is going to be such a communicator, I love it. I do believe I credit my gene pool for that!

Christmas Joy

We really did Christmas this year. Ethan understood Mary and Joseph, coveted the baby Jesus when we brought Him out to put in our creche set, he even stayed completely still as we watched the Christmas play at church (a first!). He comprehended Santa coming down the chimney and actually got very literal with this topic, asking why Nana had a fire in her fireplace, since Santa could possibly burn himself. Ethan counted down with me as we erased each day from the hanging Christmas chalk board and put a lower number, with each day anxiety and excitement mounted. We had Santa's helper, the Christmas Mouse, pop up all over the house and told Ethan that the mouse and Santa were both watching! What pressure! Ethan stated catching on and really getting in the spirit when he would put Jarett or myself on the "Naughy List" everytime we told him no to something. "YOU on the naughty list, Mommy!"

He didn't diappoint Christmas morning. We were at Marie's house along with Mom, Donnie and Sydney. Harrison and Mitchell awoke at 5:30am but were promptly told to go back to bed. They ended up bunking with Marie and Richard until Jarett and I decided to wake Ethan up at 7:45. We both knelt beside his curled up onesie pj'd body and whispered, "Ethan, Santa CAME!" He rose his sleepy head, hair wild, eyes half shut, "Show me". In minutes the slumber wore off and all three boys were running around the upstairs as adults everywhere were yelling, "not yet, you can't go downstairs yet" as we fumbled for our bra's, contact's and tooth brushes. Once each adult was armed at the bottom of the stairs, camera and video in hand-we-gave-the-OK. Like a heard of horses they trampled down the stairs and the rest of the morning was history. Complete with ough's ahh's and my favorite of Ethan's, "this for me, E-fan?"  It was such a fun morning. This year Christmas took on an entire different life and it was just so much fun. I can not wait for next Christmas. It's been a while since I've said that!