Ethan's Big Day

Today our little man celebrated his 4th birthday!!! Though it was a very good day, especially since daddy got to be home with him, mommy, and Alek, it was heart wrenching with the thought that only one more year left and then our peanut will be 5 and starting school. It's amazing how fast time flies. We pulled out an outfit for Alek the other day, and I swear I remember putting the outfit on Ethan only yesterday.


I guess Sarah's right about wanting to write down every little thing the kids do just so you have something to go back to and remember the moment. Today Ethan wanted to go get new cowboy boots for his birthday because his old ones (only about 6 months old) are too small. He came running upstairs yelling "Daddy, Daddy, can we go to the boot place and get me new boots today?" I replied, "I don't know, why don't you go ask Mommy." He said, "I already did ask mommy." I replied, "What did she say?" Ethan, a little frustrated, said "She told me to ask you!" I just started laughing and said, "Well, it's ok with me if its ok with mommy." He went running downstairs yelling, "He said it's ok mommy!"

After that conversation, we had a major meltdown because the Moose sweatshirt that mamaw bought Ethan in Vermont is dirty, and he had to wear it with his Wangles (Wranglers) to get his new boots. After much coaxing, he was satisfied with wearing his Ohio State t-shirt and his Ohio State colored jacket. He said he couldn't wear the sweatshirt dirty because it would give him germs. Sometimes, I swear he's 25 already.


Later this afternoon, Ethan told us that he couldn't wait to turn 5 now. We asked him why, and he said, "So that I can go huntin', with my huntin' pants on." Mommy said, "Well you have to be 10 to go hunting." Ethan just said, "Oh I forgot." Of course this conversation took place after he got the County Fair Shoot Out game from Target with his gift certificate from Cory, Katie, Allison, and Spencer. The game has a gun that has an infrared light that shoots duck targets that move. We played with it as soon as we got home and he is a pretty good marksmen. (He gets that from Papaw Mike)

Ethan was soooo excited that today was his birthday and told us "I am going to stay up all night so that my birthday will not be over." Then he followed that up with, "My birthday won't be over until the morning. So I'm staying up all night." Oh to be a kid again. He almost made it all night too. The last thing I heard from him was at 10:15. What a night owl :)

Ethan, Mommy and Daddy are soooooo proud of you and WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!

Mommy and Daddy with Alek at the hospital

These are pics of Mommy, Daddy, and Alek at the hospital. We are soooo happy. Ethan and Alek, we LOVE you both VERY much.

Finally Alek arrives home

On Monday February 16th, Amanda and I were able to bring our newest little man home to be reunited with big brother Ethan and meet the cats, dog, and fish. We can't complain about his sleeping habits too much, yet, I already forget what it feels like to sleep all the way through the night. It's amazing how quickly your body gets used to a lack of sleep and how adrenaline takes over when you need it. Ethan has been such a good boy through all of this and continues to make us laugh to get through the day. He really is a GREAT big brother, and is constantly wanting to hold Alek on the Boppy and is interested in what is going on with Alek. The first day home, Amanda was getting ready to feed Alek, and Ethan went running to the refrigerator, pulled open the door, and said, "Daddy, I'll get the milk, you get a bottle, and I'll warm it up for him." That led to a sensitive discussion about how Alek drinks mommies milk. I just sent him in to mommy for that conversation.

There are a mixture of pictures from Ethan's camera and our camera on this post. See if you can tell a difference.

More pics from Ethan's camera

Ethan and Daddy went to Build-A-Bear on Sunday while Alek was still in the hospital and made a bear (Buster) for Alek and a bear (Blackie the Fireman - Ethan named him of course) for Ethan. These are pics from Ethan's camera of him with those bears.




What a cute kid!!!!!!!!

Random pictures that Ethan took

When we bought Ethan a camera for Christmas (Fisher Price digital) I never thought he would like it so much. (Hint Hint for all you parents out there.) He took it to the hospital and these are some of the pics he took.

Of course he had to show off for the camera and have someone take his picture with his camera too.

New Pics of Alek and Ethan

Enough of you have been asking (hounding) for new pics. I will add as many as I can.

Ethan was a BABY HOG while we were in the hospital. Everytime someone wanted to hold Alek, he had a have a turn first, then they would get a SHORTER turn, then it would be his turn again.

I am so glad that he has taken to the idea of having a little brother. So far (knock on wood) we really haven't had to many problems.

Ethan and Alek

WHAT A GREAT BIG BROTHER!!!!!!!

More pics of Alek

This is after his first bath

Are you ready for baby pics now???

These are the VERY first pics of Alek

Mommy and Daddy before Alek arrived

These are pre C-section pictures

Are you wondering what it is???

Alek Michael Fine entered our world at 9:42 am on Friday February 13, 2009 weighing in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 20 3/4 inches long by C-section. Amanda and baby are doing great. Ethan has REALLY taken to Alek and takes turns with everyone holding the baby. I will be posting pics here real soon, so check back on a regular basis.

Drumroll please......

WE HAVE A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!

Ethan replanting a corn stalk

Some of the kids at school thought that they could get the corn stalk to grow if they "planted" it in the bucket. Ethan thought they needed rocks and dirt to help it stand up. SUCH A SMART KID!!!!!

Ethan watching Nat Horn at school

This is one of Amanda and I's favorite pictures of Ethan at school. He is really enjoying himself in school and is doing great.