A Prayer Request

I'm writing this post with a heavy heart. My good friend Jen (we met and bonded our freshman year of college in the dorms of Appalachian) lives in Tennessee. When she got married 5 years ago I was honored to be a part of her wedding. While in town for her festivities I got the chance to meet another of her good friends, Jana. Jana was so sweet to my friend Amber and I (Amber traveled to TN with me) that weekend and even offered to let Amber and I stay with her (even though she had never met either of us before.) Although I have not seen or kept in touch with Jana since Jen's wedding, I periodically hear about her since she is such a good friend of Jen's. Shortly after I found out that I was pregnant with Ethan, Jen informed me that Jana was expecting twins. Jana and her husband just lost one of their sons and my heart aches for this beautiful family. If you would not mind, please say a special prayer today for Jana and her family. I cannot even begin to imagine the heartache that they are feeling today. Jana keeps a blog (www.mcgregorsrus.blogspot.com) if you want to read about their journey. I'm sure that they could use your prayers not only today, but in the coming days and months as they adjust to life without Thomas. Thanks!

Ethan's 4 Month Picture

I realize that I am terribly behind with actual Ethan updates on here, so hopefully one day this week I'll get this blog caught back up again. In the interim, below are Ethan's "official" 4 month pictures. (Every month I pose him in his chair next to Winnie the Pooh so we can see his growth.) He is getting more and more grown up by the day! He's in a really fun stage right now where he talks all the time (I keep telling myself I hear "mama" but I know it is just wishful thinking) he rolls over pretty regularly, he loves sitting/standing with assistance, and he was recently introduced to his exersaucer and bumbo seat and is starting to really like both of those as well. Where has my newborn gone?!?!?!

Ethan & Santa

Today Ethan went to meet Santa for the first time. I think it was love at first sight!

Family Pic

I was loading some of the pictures my friend Erin took during our recent photo session with her onto my computer and thought I would share one so you can see the Strain family all together:

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

Ethan - 4 Months

Ethan and Mary Grace - not my best work taking pictures but they look so cute checking each other out!

Ethan is four months old...yikes! He is showing so much personality these days. I've decided that this is a pretty fun age because Ethan does stuff and is pretty interactive but he isn't mobile yet (which makes my life a little easier!) The big news is that Ethan rolled over for the first time this past week. The tragic part of this is that I missed it. Yep - he rolled over for Daddy when I wasn't there. I have been the one with him all day, every day, for his entire life and he decides roll for the first time for Daddy. Go figure! I have been trying (in vain) to get him to roll again, but he is content to flip from side to side and not make the complete turn onto his belly again. Maybe one day...

Everything is going in his mouth these days. And I do mean everything! I have to be really careful when we are out running errands because if his rattle or toy end up on the ground I have to keep them until I can disinfect them and then give them back to Ethan. (Yes, I am a germaphobe!) I usually travel with a bag full of toy options so this hasn't been a problem (yet) but I dread the day that I keep a toy he really wants. His favorite toy (by far!) is still Mo the rattle but a close second is his Baby Einstein take along tunes toy. He loves staring at the colorful lights and listening to the music.

Ethan and his BFF, Mo the rattle

Ethan had his four month check up at the pediatrician's office this morning and he did really well. He has slowed down a lot on the weight gain (only 50th percentile for weight this time around) but he is still pretty long (75th percentile for length.) His official 4 month measurements are 15 pounds, 4 ounces and and 25 3/4 inches. He's still my big guy! He also got two shots and an oral vaccination so I am betting that we have a fussy 24 - 48 hours ahead of us. Fingers crossed he does okay, but we'll see.

The standard picture with Daddy before going into the pediatrician's office
I love this expression - you are taking my picture in the parking lot because, why???? Cuddling with Daddy in Dr. Wiese's office

Pulling my hair right before he had to get his shot (I guess I had it coming!)

Ethan and I went and met my friend Sarah (who was in town visiting her in-laws) and her daughter Mary Grace for breakfast a few mornings ago. Sarah was my big sister from my Sigma Kappa days and it was great to be able to hang out and catch up in person. One day Ethan and Mary Grace will be good friends (and if you look back at older posts on here there is a picture of a very pregnant me holding a tiny newborn Mary Grace!) but for now they were each in their own little world. Both of the tiny diners behaved and allowed Sarah and I to have a great visit.

That's going to have to do it for today...I hear my little vaccine baby calling for me and considering all that he has been through in the past two weeks (two trips out of town, company coming to stay, and a trip to the pediatrician's office) I think he deserves a few days of cuddling and spoiling.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving this past week! On Sunday Patrick's sister, Jeannie, flew in to spend a few days in Charlotte with us and we had such a good time. Jeannie is great with Ethan and I know he loved having his aunt in town. She gives Ethan cuddles all day long so he was in heaven! Jeannie and I left Ethan at home one afternoon to go shopping, and it was so nice to be able to relax and shop (without a stroller in tow. I love having Ethan with me, but I forgot how easy it is when I don't have to worry about a carrier, diaper bag, stroller, etc. etc.)

On Wednesday we all drove to Greensboro together to celebrate the holiday at the Strain family home. It was wonderful getting the whole family together. My family is so small that sometimes it is easy to forget what a large family get together is like. I loved it!

The cutest part of the visit was when my nephew, Ben, told me that he wanted to marry me. Melt. My. Heart. He's only 5 so obviously does not quite understand what he was saying. I told him that I was already married to Patrick and showed him Patrick's wedding ring. He proceeded to put a napkin ring on and said that now I could marry him too. Awww! I did promise him that when the day came for him to get married that I would be there to help him celebrate. Too cute!

The funniest part of our visit was when a group of us were upstairs watching football. My nephew Bailey (10) got really into the games this year and it was awesome watching him enjoy football with us. (He passed up the kiddie movie that was on downstairs...impressive!) Bradley came up during halftime and when the commentators showed up on the screen he proceeded to loudly say, "Ewww - old people!" I tried so hard not to give a reaction but I couldn't help cracking up just a little bit. Kids really do say the darndest things :)

Ethan did okay with all the travel, commotion and excitement, but by the time dinner was ready he was absolutely exhausted. We left shortly after dinner and he slept the entire way home. He did not stir when we transferred him from his car seat to his crib and he managed to take a marathon nap the following day as well. This child was worn out!

Here are a few pictures from Ethan's first Thanksgiving:

Meeting Uncle Brian for the first time

My sister-in-law, Stacy, mother-in-law, Chris, and sister-in-law, Jeannie

Ben decided to take a picture of Bailey and I (not too bad for a 5 year old!)

Patrick and his sister, Jeannie
My nephews, Ben & Bailey
Ethan chatting with Uncle Michael

Ethan hanging out with his Aunt Brooke & Uncle Michael

Bailey playing on Ethan's travel activity gym

Ben got in on the action too!

Bradley hanging out with Ethan

Me with my boys - Ethan & Ben

Ethan's first Christmas present from his cousins

Bailey showing off the gift he, Bradley and Ben got for Ethan's first Christmas

Patrick, his sister, Jeannie, and Ethan snoozing

Ethan was worn out after two days of celebrating

Our adorable nephew Ben in his jammies

Aunt Jeannie playing the whistle game with Ben

My sister-in-law, Brooke, and brother-in-law, Michael (aren't they cute?!)