growing up

as my belly continues to grow and our second little boy keeps busy inside, this little man is busy busy busy on the outside!

i find it amazing how quickly personalities and characteristics become evident in young children. ethan is persistent, attempting the same challenge over and over without giving up (i will be astounded if he grows up to be stubborn. no one in his family has that trait)(please note sarcasm). when he does wrong, he knows it and tries to make it right by pouring on the kisses. ethan could spend his entire day outside, wandering around in the grass and dirt. he loves new activities and learns so quickly how to do things himself. he is an easy laugh, just like his mama, and will probably even laugh at his daddy's corny "dad" jokes one day (i love you, babe!). he is a helper, even at 15 months old and will "clean" the floor with baby wipes or a dishtowel, pick up his blocks or books and put them back in the basket, and will even throw dirty diapers away for me, since they are "tash". veteran moms, do all babies go through this plase or can i hope that it will last?

a few things about ethan that haven't changed since he was an infant are his love for music and his love for books. i guess i assume that all kids bounce or dance every.single.time they hear music played? or that he seems drawn to instruments, whether kiddie ones or the real things? he still loves to be read to and reads on his own, too. usually the book is upside down, but his imagination seems to overcome this minor detail. i love hearing him "read".

he loves remote controls, playing with the silverware in the dishwasher, repeating all kinds of words after me, wearing his red fireman hat, having his teeth brushed, and, the newest entertainment, drawing. i have lost count of all the words he can say, and am thrilled that family members' names are finally making the list!

here are a few pictures of ethan over the past month...