Ethan laughing on the couch

Emerson is 2

Today was Emerson's 2nd birthday. His party won't be for another two weeks but we still celebrated the big day yesterday.

We had a pre-dinner birthday swim, which is why he is not wearing any clothes in several photos. He successfully blew out both birthday candles all by himself and then ate a hearty helping of chocolate chip cookie with whipped cream.

Emerson got a lot of presents in Chicago from G-Ma and G-Pa, Gama, Amanda, Dan, Grace & Noah, Nancy and Tim and the kids and the Adamjis. On his actual birthday we opened the presents waiting for him here at home: swimming gear and books from Go Joy and Grandpa and books from Great Aunt Barbara. What a lot of great stuff for a great little boy. Thanks to all!

 

And finally, here's Emerson telling you how old he is today. I told him what I was about to ask him just before I started recording so he gives a preview answer and then another answer. Then he practices riding a scooter.

Early Birthday with Great Grandparents

Art and Jeanne came over today to meet Ethan and wish Emerson an early birthday. After Emerson blew out the candle I think it clicked for him: "birthday cake" he told me. "Happy birthday to you." (in his mind "you" always means Emerson)

He enjoyed the few bites of carrot cake I gave him and demanded more "cream" (frosting).

Even more than the cake, Emerson enjoyed basking in the attention from his great grandparents as he hit a ball with a bat and brought them each plates with cheese and crackers; they admired Ethan plenty as well, notably his chunky thighs and easy smile.

Emerson and Caleb

Emerson met Caleb, David and Ashley's son born a month after Emerson, for the first time today. Emerson was not the most gracious sharer ever but the two had some great moments. I really enjoyed seeing David and Ashley and swapping stories.

"Gerald play saxonphone"

We saw G-Ma and G-Pa this morning and had a special treat: Gerald played Emerson happy birthday on the sax which Emerson loved. Emerson was also excited to get some new toys - thanks Gs!

Photo shoot at Gama's house

Head up!

Piggy Wiggy

Emerson and Lucy at the Tampa zoo

Dianna and Lucy met us at the Lowry Park Zoo for a fun zoo adventure. Emerson enjoyed showing Lucy his favorite things at the zoo, though the budgies were not available. Thanks Dianna, as always, for the great pictures!

Asking nicely

Emerson is almost two which means when he wants a banana he asks for it by shouting the word banana 75 times in an increasingly whiny and shrill voice. Because this is unpleasant Eric taught him another way to ask for things he wants. Now, when Emerson wants a banana he says "Hey Dad! I'd like some banana please!" in a non-whiny tone. It's so civilized and a little hilarious too.

Emerson has found it to be such an effective communications tool he has started using it more broadly. Recently he came up to me toward the end of the day and said "Hey mom, I'd like some dad come home now please."

He also uses it to make direct requests such as "Hey dad I'd like some dad get off the couch please."

It isn't perfect yet but it is an advance in toddler communication.

Ethan is 3 months

Today Ethan is three months old and he weighs 16 pounds, which means he gained two pounds in the past month. No wonder I am so hungry all the time. He is an absolutely charming baby and I am really enjoying spending time with him. While the majority of our day he is strapped to my body in one carrier or another, during Emerson's nap we usually get some quality time to just hang out and it is fun to see the faces he makes and to try to get him to smile or laugh. Emerson has been getting more interested in him as Ethan becomes more responsive. I wish I could capture the face he makes when he is trying to get Ethan to smile at him; I think he thinks he is smiling. These boys sure are a lot of fun. Here's my little big boy Ethan on his three month birthday.

First baseball game

We went with some friends on Sunday to see the Yankees vs Phillies in a spring training game at a small stadium here in Tampa. It was Emerson's first baseball game and he seemed to quite enjoy it. He observed, accurately, many times "That guy hit ball really really high!" and other variations on that theme. He and his friend Robin had their own seats but didn't spend much time in them. Here's a rare moment of them both in a seat, in this case the same one.

Ethan caught on video laughing (upside down)

Emerson rides an elephant

One more pic of Emerson in SF

Thanks to Julie who snapped this while she was babysitting my boys so I could go get a massage at Kabuki Springs in San Francisco. Emerson does not look like he misses his mother at all.

Emerson and Gabby take a walk

Emerson took a little walk with his friend Gabby yesterday.

The boys

Ethan smiling (well, smirking)

A few photos from our trip to San Francisco

Here's a shot Emerson took of us on the plane on our way there:

Here's Ethan with his SF cohort. On the left is Odin, Ted and Nonoko's son born November 30; and in the middle is Enso, Jamaica and Nelson's son born October 18. You will recognize Ethan on the right looking all of his almost 15 pounds.

Emerson and Scout had fun playing with stickers and going to the park.

And we used striped outfits to stay warm while we slept: