First tooth!!!

He finally did it! The first tooth is in, with the second shortly behind it. Well, it's next to it, but... Here's the proof so far (click on the picture to see the full-size version):



And for a few other pictures that we've taken recently and just uploaded, see http://picasaweb.google.com/jatraylor

We'll have more Christmas pictures up soon!

My first halloween

So, mom and dad made me dress up for halloween even though I didn't get to eat any of the candy... But they said I looked cute. Here are some pictures of me in action:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jatraylor/200910Halloween

And they made another video of me crawling while in my adorable costume. Enjoy!

Ethan is crawling!!!

Something must have just clicked in Ethan's mind yesterday. He is now crawling! Here's a video for proof.

Niagara Falls, Canada

We had our first family trip outside of the US last week. Joel, Ethan and I went with MeeMaw, PeePops and Greg to Niagara Falls and Toronto in Canada and then ended with a wedding for Peepops and MeeMaw and NYC for the rest of us. It was an adventure with a 5 month old along for the 8 hour car rides, but we made it with only a few bad crying spells followed by long naps.


Ethan did well sleeping at the hotel in his pack 'n play and just on a blanket pallet in NYC. We did not take him back for his daily naps so those are off now that we are home, but I am hoping that he will soon pick up where went left off.

Here we are at Rockefeller Center in NYC. Ethan napped in his bjorn while we toured.



To check out more of the photos click here

Eating solids like a big boy

What fun it is to eat solids! We had cantaloupe one night and decided to see if Ethan would like a lick. Well as you can see he wanted more than just a little taste.




Yesterday we gave him rice cereal for the first time. He ate like a champ. Nothing was spit out at us and there was not a tear shed or head turned away. He ate 2 servings worth and would probably had more, but we thought that was enough for the first time. :) Mommy was the one that needed lessons on getting the food in the mouth and not on his face. Poor little guy puts up with his parents so well. hahahaha

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On another note, we just returned from our trip to Niagara Falls. I will more post pictures later, but we had a great time. Ethan was a trooper with the 8 hour drive and late nights out. Not too bad for his first trip out of the good 'ol U.S. of A.

4 month check up

So I'm a little slow since our little man will be 5 months on Monday. Where does the time go?

And the numbers: drumroll please

• weight - 14 lbs. (25th percentile) Not a hefty guy, but look at his parents!
• length - 26 inches (80th percentile) again look at the parents

We are on par or above with everything and the doctor was highly impressed with Ethan's head control and rolling skills. He said that we will probably have an early crawler. I do not have the house babyproofed - so hopefully the crawling will hold off a bit. :) We can also start feeding him solids, but I think we are going to wait a bit longer. At least until we get back from vacation so we do not have to mess with new schedule and new foods. Something tells me bad combo...

Fun things that happened this month:

2nd haricut - Mommy used Daddy's clippers 'cause it was just too much to tackle with the scissors. You can really tell from the 3 month picture to this one as to how much was cut.

Ocean - Ethan had his first overnight trip to the Atlantic Ocean. We went out on the beach just to get his picture taken in the water. Thanks Mike, Heather, and Tyler for letting us crash with you for the weekend.

A year goes by quickly...

Don't worry - you didn't miss anything. Ethan isn't already a year old. Rather, it was a year ago that I found out that I was becoming a father. Now, if you're quick on your math, you'll realize that Alysa was only 4 weeks along last Father's Day. "Wow! Isn't that something?!?!?!", you say. (Or maybe it's more like "Okay - and your point is?!?!?!")

Well, to fill you in, let me give just a brief overview of what had been going on before then. You see, we had been trying to come across that little bugger (Ethan, that is) for about two and a half years. He wasn't anywhere to be found. We tried a variety of things: good ol' patience, various levels of assorted medicines, and even relaxing vacations to romantic places. As each month went by, The Human Pincushion* and I were left where we started - only more confused/frustrated/worn out than the month before. (* Oh, sorry - she did change her name back to Alysa; that alias arose due the medley of injectables she went through.)

By God's Grace, Alysa and I each had our times where one of us was "up" when the other was "down". We would, quite literally, take turns reminding each other that God did/does/always will have a plan for us and that even though this chapter in our life is difficult, He's in control.

Now, there were clearly many details that I glossed over. No - THOSE details will not be posted, but perhaps at some point, Alysa will hammer out more about the tears shed, the friends who were such an encouragement (and so much more), the numerous "why us?" questions, etc. Suffice it to say, though, that we are EXTREMELY proud of our son, OVERJOYED with all that God has blessed us with, and AMAZED at His faithfulness - even (and especially) in times when we question the work of His hand.

It is a great and exciting time to be celebrating Father's Day. Rejoice with me in God's gracious outpouring of His love for us. Happy Father's Day!