Wow. February already!

Hi everyone,

It's Joanne (Mommy). I thought since I haven't written in a while, I would let you all know how Ethan has been keeping us very busy. Ethan and I have been down with colds from the 22nd of Jan. and are just about over them now. He had a day or so of diarrhea poor guy and then managed to pass on his cold and symptoms to Gong Gong and Ama. Not to mention some tough nights with a stuffy nose.



The weather has really been humid and bitter cold with rains these past few days so we have bought a jacket and lots of warm clothes for Ethan. (The fashion show will have to wait since Ethan hates... I mean HATES getting dressed.) Gong Gong was not satisfied with the jacket that mommy got so he bought another one for Ethan.

Ethan also has grown taller, and makes new noises. We are familiar with the Yii- ahhhh sounds he makes but he has now added, grunts and piggy oinks which sound kinda like unnnnghrrr, gnk gnk, and he smacks his lips. He also slaps his hand up and down when saying bye or during feeding time. Other fun things that he like to do include bumping foreheads together, racing around in his walker while pulling things down- he sure is quick! Everything still manages to go into his mouth and he is crawling really well. He has just started sticking his butt in the air so his body makes an inverted V shape. According to our housecleaners, Tess and Aida, in the Philippines, it means that Ethan is telling us that he wants a baby sister or brother!!!

Changing time is always challenging since if its poop, he wants to scratch his poopy butt and then after he's cleaned up, he flips over and starts crawling away as fast as he can. It's quite the workout as dad has figured out in the video.

He's sucking his thumb less and only seems to do it right before bed, if he is really hungry or if he's a bit insecure in a new surrounding but there have been a few times where he he has gone to sleep with out his thumb so our boy is growing up!

As with growing up, separation anxiety has settled in and at 9 months, Ethan will break into non- stop gasping wails and streaming tears if I step out for more than 20 minutes. At Gong Gong's and Ama's, he had a crying spell when Ama and I stepped out for a couple hrs to the morning market. Then on Monday afternoon, I did a quick run to several ATM's and was away maybe 20 minutes before Tess called and I could hear his screaming in the background.

Then , this afternoon, in the car, he was really tired and no matter what Ama tried to do, to console him, he wanted mommy as the screaming and streams of tears were evident. So we managed to get home in record time. Both Ama's and mommy's nerves were shot.

Then later Gong Gong came by after Ethan had had his bath and we had dinner together and then went to get his new jacket mentioned above.

Well.. Ethan is wanting to tell you all about his cool visit to Sandy's house and the fun he had with Ivo and Burl so i'd better go now.

Luv to you all,
Joanne