Can You Say "Cheese"?

Ethan has started giving us a very animated, squinty smile when we take his pictures. He loves to say "cheese" and as you can see from the pictures below, we just can't get enough.

He is also quite a fan of hats and sunglasses. The other night we were out doing a little shopping at the mall and he loved trying on these hats and "foldable" sunglasses at American Eagle. He is beginning to look (and act!) so grown up. I can't believe how fast time goes!

Mr. Independent

Ethan has finally hit the stage where he wants to be Mr. Independent! He loves doing things on his own, just like mom and dad! He will no longer sit in a high chair; he has to be in  a big chair at the table. He eats his dinner with a fork and has to hold his own glass to drink! He seems to be eating much better and will often eat the things that we do. 

He has also become quite the daredevil. Anything he can climb on, he will. And then he jump off . It doesn't matter how high or if someone is even there to catch him, he just jumps. We have had a few lot of great "saves" by Jared as he dives to catch Ethan. 

He loves to give "High 5", knuckles, and thumbs up! He is pretty good at it too! He knocks on the door when we go to visit someone and sticks one arm high in the air whenever he sees a basketball hoop! (Jared taught him that one!)

Here are a few videos for your enjoyment

Ethan being a daredevil

Mr. Independent using a fork to eat

He loves lights. In this video, we tried to get him to say light.

This is my favorite video. He will only drink out of regular cups (not sippy cups) and he saw this pitcher at my in-laws house. He thought it was the coolest "cup" and wanted to drink out of it. I put a little it of water in it and this is what he did! He pretty much says "Aahhh" after every drink he takes now!

Muffins

(Photo from AllRecipes)

Ethan loves muffins! The first time I made them for him that's all he wanted to eat. And now whenever I make them he can't get enough.

After our Christmas trip to Arkansas, we stayed at my grandma's house in Salt Lake. We woke up that morning and were discussing our plan for the day. Ethan was just walking around looking at everything when he brought us back a small box. I looked at it and it was a blueberry muffin box he had found on my grandma's pantry shelf! He had pulled the other boxes onto the ground to get that one. So needless to say, we had muffins for breakfast!

Today I made bran muffins for the first time and  Ethan still gobbled them up. I beginning to think that as long as it is in muffin form he will eat it. My mind is now spinning thinking of all the things I could possibly get him to eat if I just made them into "muffins"! Wish me luck!

Oh and if you are looking for a fantastic recipe for blueberry muffins-this one is our favorite!! Happy muffin making! :)

Enjoy!

I chose the title of this post for 2 reasons. The first being the fact that I am actually posting some pictures for those who read this to enjoy. The 2nd is more of a reminder to me to enjoy my life and to "live in the moment." I hope I'm not the only one who often gets consumed in my to-do list and forgets the importance of enjoying the time I have right now with my family.  

With that said, on to the pictures!

At the beginning of December, Ethan burned his hand on the oven. This is his battle wound!

This is Ethan showing his "cast". We had to keep it wrapped up like that for over a month (Of course we changed it every day!) Luckily Jared has had extensive training in wound care!!  :)

My two handsome boys at our Christmas photo shoot.

Ethan making a typical funny face. This happens to be when I am asking him where his eyes are. Notice the slight squint!  ha ha

Us on Christmas morning at my parent's house.

Our handsome vampire! Over Christmas break he got his 2 front teeth so now he looks less vampire-ish!

Ethan smiling for the camera. He loved trying on hats at the store and looking in the mirror. We said "Say cheese" and this was his response.