Ethan William Alexander: Our Little 11 Month Old...

Ethan will be 11 months for 1 more day, and I am holding on to that moment. I am excited to celebrate his first birthday, but upset that this event also marks my return to work. Unfortunately I am sad to say that my maternity leave will be coming to an end. I return to work this Friday... Dooms Day.

I have had the most amazing,life changing year of my life. We were blessed when Ethan came into our lives on May 13, 2008. Our little man has grown so much and changed our lives for ever. I think we are better people now, we cherish every moment, and hold onto as many memories as we are capable of.

Ethan finally cut that 8th tooth that has been hovering under the gums surface for weeks now! We have such a smart little man. Jonathan and I were comparing "notes" after Ethan went to bed, and he was telling me that he asked Ethan where the remote control was, and Ethan got up and retrieved it for him! We tested this later by asking Ethan for specific items and sure enough he would go and get it. This boy is smarted than we thought! He loves to take is shoes and socks off, and then try to put them back on, he likes to try to put his own hat on, and everything goes on his head. When we get him changed he knows that when mommy says "1,2,3" it means to raise his arms over his head so I can pull his shirt off. He knows that when mommy says "let's go brush our teeth" to head straight for the bathroom, he even points to is tooth brush! There are so many little things that just develop and you don't notice them until you sit back and just watch. I love watching him, this is probably the thing I will miss the most about going back to work. I love our snuggle time after naps. He is such a mama's boy, and I LOVE IT!

Mommy loves to play with Ethan, and Ethan loves mommy's games!

Playing with his favourite car, "Lightning McQueen" from the movie "Cars" (which we've never seen)... He is also wearing his new swim suit!

Relaxing with his favourite blankie.

"Ethan, your toes can't eat your cheesey!"

We have been enjoying all the lovely weather here. Mommy and Ethan do a lot of walking and visit the park often. Enjoying the swing at the park.

I like to encourage Ethan to explore and check things out, he's always learning... so when he decided he wanted to play with some rocks... I let him. He sifted them through his fingers a couple times, then like a flash of lightning, his hand flew to his mouth to sample his findings. It was the funniest thing ever, I have never seen his hands move so fast, guess he really wanted to taste them!