Random story - when I was pregnant with Ethan we told my dad his name would be Ethan William, to which my dad replied, “I love it!  I can call him E Dub!”  Some days he’s more of an E Dub than others.  This morning he came in the bathroom with a very interesting look on his face.  Upon asking him what he had done he informed me that he had accidentally put a little bit tiny of poop in his underwear.  I suppose in Ethan’s world a “little bit tiny” means “holy cow, how in the world did you even walk from the living room to the bathroom with that in your underwear, and where is the closest incinerator.” 

When E Dub and I went to pick up Rachel at my mom’s today, she was playing outside on the little gym.  Of course this immediately sparked an interest in E.  It was hard for my mom and I to remember how small Ethan was when they bought it for him. 
Today ~ 3 years old:

Christmas Day 2005 ~ 14 months old

One of the things my parents got us for Christmas this past year was a membership to the Fort Worth Zoo.  We love going to the zoo – we basically love going to do anything – but especially the zoo.  If you live in the area and have never been, it’s well worth a trip.  And if you go with us, we can get you a discount!  We’ve tried to go a couple of times already this year, but the weather didn’t cooperate.  So, Saturday morning we packed a picnic lunch and were waiting at the gate when they opened at 10.  We had a blast!  Clay’s mom (Mimi) and fiancee (Bob – it’s so fun to type fiancee now…they got engaged last week!) joined us and they had a great time as well. 

We have been to the zoo many times since we’ve lived in the metroplex, but this was our best experience with the animals.  The lion was roaring, the coyote was howling, the elephant was eating from the tree right in front of us, the alligator was sleeping against the window, the hippos were playing in the water – you get the idea.  Ethan was in heaven, and Rachel just kept growling at everything.  Her “favorite” (if she can have a favorite) animal is a tiger, and she was beside herself when we saw one.  Here’s a small sampling our of outing.  And seriously, if you’re planning a trip, let us know and we’d love to join you!

Today at school my pre-k class had a hat day since we’re doing the letter H.  For some reason Ethan thought it was hilarious that I was wearing a cowboy hat to school today.  He kept telling me that only boys wear hats.  Anyway, I let him wear it after school and took a couple of cute pictures:

And here’s my sweet class on hat day:

Friday night we helped Paige celebrate her 2nd birthday at a party at the mall carousel.  We had a GREAT time, and I lost count on how many times the kids rode the carousel.  I think Paige’s face probably hurt at the end of the night from smiling so much.  The party got me thinking about a picture we took at Rachel’s party of Paige and Allison – when they were all one…Rachel 12 months, Allie 18 months, and Paige 23 months.  I love that Rachel has her own friends – especially since they’re these sweet girls. 

Last weekend we packed up the kids and hit the road for Hempstead, Tx – hometown to our now sister-in-law, Randi.  Clay’s brother – Nick –  got hitched Saturday afternoon in a beautiful ceremony here.  Our niece, Lanee (Nick’s daughter) was the most beautiful flower girl, Clay was the best man (and best looking – there is something about a man in a tux) and also played his guitar and sang in the wedding, and little Ethan was the cutest ringbearer in the tux that he continuosly informed me was making him “fweaty” (sweaty).  It was rather warm that day.  Anyway, we’re so happy for Nick and Randi, and I’m so happy to have another sister-in-law. 

And if it hadn’t been for managing a very tired baby who refused to take a nap that day, I would have switched the camera over to video and wowed all of you with Ethan’s incredibly original dance moves at the reception.  I can’t remember the last time I’ve laughed so hard.  He had every eye in the place on him in the middle of the dance floor jumping up and spinning around, quickly followed by the announcement that was going to shake his booty (this, of course, was after some encouraging from Uncle Nick).  It was equally as funny to see the fit he threw during the “broken” songs – the slow ones that didn’t really call for booty shaking.  It helped that Randi got him a black t-shirt for the reception that said ring security on the back. 

We had a great time and I’ve been eating my words since the weekend about how my kids are allergic to long car rides - they did great.  We even managed to swing by Sweet Eugene’s around 8:00 Saturday night to keep us awake for the trip home (Erin – we were tempted to knock on your door to say hi, but the kids had just fallen asleep and I wasn’t about to mess that up). 

With cousin Lanee

The ring bearer/pillow thrower/”fweaty” head/dance machine

Mother-son dance

Clay with his brothers

As of Thursday, we have a one year old in our house.  How, you ask?  Yeah, I don’t know either.  This time last year I had just spent my first full day at home with her, and I was wondering how it could feel so natural to have a baby girl in our house.  I was also wondering how on earth I would have the time for 2 children.  Would I be able to make both of them feel special?  Would I feel frantic and frazzled forever?  Would I ever have time to spend just with Clay?  God is so good and faithful and I thank him every day for the blessing of this beautiful baby girl.  When we found out we were pregnant the second time, I thought for sure it would be another boy – and I was really excited about that.  I already knew how to do boy stuff and we had all of the boy gear and it just seemed more practical.  So much for practical – I LOVE having a girl!  And I don’t even mind all of her stuff – bows, shoes, tights, panties, dresses, skirts, brushes, dolls, etc.  There’s no way I could list all of the wonderful things that make Rachel our Ray-Bug, but here are some things that make her unique in our house:

• She is incredibly verbal
• She doesn’t really care if you’re busy or tired or in the middle of making dinner or using the bathroom – when she needs to be held she needs to be held RIGHT THEN
• She’s almost running through the house and has mastered standing up without holding onto anything
• She loves having her head scratched when she’s really tired
• She is attached to this little pink blanket that looks like a teddy bear
• She will go the longest way possible to avoid having to step one foot on the grass
• She growls every time she sees an animal
• She doesn’t care much for a bottle anymore
• She can drink more water than anyone in our family
• She has to examine each bite before she allows it to enter her mouth
• She always has something in her mouth, and it’s usually something she shouldn’t have in her mouth
• She squeals when she’s really happy
• She likes making funny faces
• She desperately wants to like her swing outside, but she is completely terrified of actually moving in the thing
• I’m pretty sure her hair gets curlier every day
• She will cry just about every time I’m on the phone
• She gives me unsolicited kisses

I took her to the doctor Friday morning and she got a wonderful report – 21 pounds, 15 ounces (70%) and 30 inches (75%).  She’s just a super cool kid and a perfect fit for our family. 

My incredibly talented mom has been developing new curriculum for our toddler classes at church, and I have to say that it is amazing.  She’s also teaching Ethan’s class right now, and I’m so impressed with how much he’s learning.  Their lesson Sunday morning was about David and Goliath, but the point of the lesson was that God helps us do hard things.  Well, Monday Ethan went to the church building with my mom to “help” her work, and when he woke up from his nap he wanted some milk.  His milk was in the refrigerator in the kitchen in the gym, and according to E it is “very dark and scary back there.”  This is how the conversation ensued:

E:  Nana, I want some milk.
Nana:  Ethan, I can’t get up right now, but you know where your milk is.
E:  But I can’t go by myself.
Nana:  Do you remember what we talked about yesterday in Bible class?
E:  God helped David do hard things.
Nana:  And God can help you do a hard thing like go get your milk even when it’s dark.
E:  And I won’t be scared?
Nana:  You won’t be scared.
—-a few minutes later—-
E:  Nana, Nana!  God helped me do a hard thing and I got my milk all by myself!

I love that at 3 years old he can already put his trust in God.  Thanks, Mom, for being such a great teacher for Ethan.

Now maybe God can help me do a hard thing and let Ethan go out in public looking like this -

(Next on the to-do list – get rid of Rachel’s pacifier so Ethan will stop walking around with it.)

I’m so glad I have a daughter with a February birthday – makes party planning incredibly easy!  Saturday afternoon we had a little party for Rachel’s 1st birthday and it was so much fun.  I’m not sad yet because her birthday isn’t until Thursday, but we celebrated early because Clay’s brother is getting married this weekend in Houston.  I have a feeling she’s going to be one of those kids that’s counting down the days to her birthday starting in November – she loved every minute of it.  We are very blessed to have had so much family here to help us celebrate, and Rachel’s best buds were able to come, too.  Thanks to everyone for making this girls’ first party so special.  Here are a few pics of the day: