Easy Beginnings

I started an online baby store on eBay!!! Its called "Easy Beginnings". I thought it was fitting being that we call Ethan "Easy". Its new and gently used baby gear, clothes, toys, books, etc. I figure I'm a SAHM with time on my hands and access to lots of baby gear! Having a toddler myself, I'm pretty much consumed by the baby world. I'll keep you updated. I'm developing my inventory now so stay tuned. Some of it is up and running but I have LOTS more to do! Its time consuming, but fun. Keep checking up on it. I'm constantly adding new stuff! Whoa-Hoo...I'm feeling inspired! This is big for me! My Aunt Pam has been a huge help. She's a pro Ebayer!

Also very exciting!!! Ethan colored for the first time yesterday! (well kinda) He did for a bit and started being a boy and eating and throwing his crayons. We had to end the art session for now. Boy was it fun!

Changes...

My Baby Boy and Me

It's three AM, they're all asleep,
and no-one's here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby boy and me.

His little hand is feather light
Tucked up against my chin.
I hold his tiny hand in mine,
and stroke his baby skin.

The house about us creaks and groans,
The clock hands creep around.
He snuggles closer to me still,
And makes his baby sounds.

I love these quiet hours so much,
And cherish every one.
Store memories up inside my heart
For lonely nights to come.

All too soon he'll be grown up,
His need for mama gone.
But until then I still have time
For kisses and for song.

Time for quiet hours like this
With him cuddled in my arms,
Where I wish he'd always stay
Protected, safe and warm.

And yet I know the day will come
When his tiny little hand,
will be bigger than my own.
He'll grow to be a man.

But until then he's mine to love
With no one here to see.
As we rock slowly back and forth,
My baby boy and me.

...Author Unknown

ahhh man..this poem says it all! Makes me choke up for sure. Ethan Chase is growing WAY to fast and its starting to make my heart ache! Don't get me wrong...he is at the funniest age right now. He's soaking up the world and his little personality is oozing out! Seriously, he's full of it! So many shenanigans up his sleeves and keeps me on my toes. But he's changing. Not sure how I feel about it? He doesn't nurse anymore and now for the most part he doesn't want me rocking him to sleep. Sad. Tear. There are still those glimpses where he will bring me his blankie and just sit on my lap and cuddle and oh man do I eat those moments up and try to take it in. I love those sticky hugs! I try to breathe it in and enjoy it. Sometimes I feel like I put him down for a nap and when he wakes up he already looks different? Too dramatic? HeHe. He is such a sweet boy with an amazing heart. He is becoming much more independent now and enjoys playing on his own. I catch him reading his books, playing with his toys, talking to Toby, or getting into some sort of trouble ( and boy does he!) I love to sit back and watch without him knowing my presence. Those are the most innocent moments.

okay...enough mushy stuff for now...some funny "Easy E" moments:

Went to change his diaper the other day and I had a surprise, some nice prezzies! He had q-tips and a toy car shoved down his diaper...for who knows how long? Funny guy. He knew what he did and had the funniest smirk on his face!

He hides. Well, he thinks he's hiding. I can totally see him in the corner. With so much excitement and anticipation on his face! He thinks its hilarious when you find him. He screams in delight and takes off running. We got this on video. Priceless.

He likes to dress up. To daddy's delight its little boy dress up for sure. He will bring two different shoes to me and sit in my lap to put them on. And find random articles of clothing around the house to wear. A lot of the time its something of Joel's. Joel's hat, or even his work boats...which he cant walk in. He just stands there with them up to his knees. Too cute! The best is he has this sweat band and he loves to wear it around his arm. We figured out why. He's copying us. We wear our ipods around our arms when we go running, and this seems to be around the time he wants his arm band! AMAZING!!

Lucky Boy...Lucky Girl!

Ethan's Nana came down from the Central Coast and we've had a fun couple of days. We took Ethan to a local petting zoo on Friday. It was so much fun! I've always wanted to take him and it was a big hit! He loved it. We had a good time watching him with the animals. He's really good with them. I think having an animal is good for kids, especially for boys. It teaches them to be gentle and kind. I really think its important. I've always wanted to take a picture of Ethan on a horse and I love it! A little boy on a pony is classic! He was so funny to watch on that pony ride. He was very serious at first and then he started to ham it up. He got to feed the goats and chase and hold the rabbits. Fun day. Success! Can't wait to go back. Beware of picture overload...just to many great ones!

I know the rabbits are probably traumatized and trying to hide but I like to think they're all lining up just for Ethan.
Perfect size for "Easy." Joel wants some of these miniature goats one day. Weird.

Oh man...I'm in trouble one day! This boy makes me melt. He's growing up WAY to fast and quickly becoming a little boy. He's changing... (Blog on this issue soon.)

The next morning we had plans to go to my Mom's house because Joel said he had a short work meeting in that area. I should of known so close to my bday, and it being Saturday, that Joel was up to something. He had a little bday BBQ planned! I love my hubby and I'm a lucky girl! He surprised me with the best gift ever...A MAC NOTEBOOK! Crazy!!! I got a new bomb laptop! Much needed. Now I can reconnect with the outside world...hehe. We had a great day of family, fish tacos, a little shopping, and ending the day with some beer pong!
Joel, Me, and Brotha Donny
Ethan was very happy to have both his Grandma's here at the same time! He's such a lucky boy...He sure is LOVED!
Ethan got his first golf club and Uncle Donny is teaching him how to swing it.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how fortunate I am. I have an amazing husband who's the best father I could ever ask for my precious boy, we have the most amazing family, and we're doing really good! Life is good!

Lake Shasta Vacation

We just got back from our much anticipated houseboat vacay at Lake Shasta! Seriously, we've been counting down for this trip for a year! It was BEYOND the bomb! Straight up AMAZING! Everything we wanted and more! The houseboat was 3 stories of so much fun. It had an outdoor bar, spa, slide, tanning deck...oh my! Not to mention that Lake Shasta is one of my favorite places on earth. We have a special place in our hearts for that lake and area after spending so many college years there. CHICO!!!

I was a little nervous about how Ethan would do. I was worried he would feel couped up and nervous about all the railings. He was such a trooper and was never bored. Actually he was very entertained playing with his cousins non stop, tubing, swimming, and taking many boat rides! We loved it...he took great naps! Can't wait for next years family vacation where ever we decide to do it!!!

our setup and cove

The boat put Ethan to sleep

The boys

He became obsessed with the boat! He would go to the back door and sign please. He was happy to just be on it. So we spent some mornings drinking our morning coffee on it. It was nice.

We've wakeboarded on quite a few lakes in California and still haven't found any that compare the the water of Shasta! Check out that glass! Wakeboarders heaven!


We have so many amazing pictures and videos that its hard to narrow down just a few to share. Check out Cameron Ingalls blog link for some cool wakeboarding shots under Lake Shasta Vacation!

Thank you to the Glenn, Kriwinski, Delmore, and Ingall family's for another great vacation. This one was the best one yet!

Roadtrip!!!

Driving up to Lake Shasta right now for vacation!!! Whoo-hoo! We've been looking forward for this vacay all year. Its the annual lake trip with Joels side of the family. We got up to Pismo yesterday to help the Glenns get their boat ready. Stopped by Cameron's shin-dig last night. (Happy Bday Cam-Sauce!) Woke up early and hit the road. Long road trip and Ethan has been a trooper so far. We get to Redding this evening, check into the hotel, go out for Joels birthday dinner...HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY BABE!!!, and tomorrow we load onto the house boat! This is a mega awesome houseboat with all the luxuries! OH MY GOODNESS...I cant wait! So excited! A week on the lake!!!