A visit from Great Grannie and Great Gramps

We had a nice visit from Grannie and Gramps yesterday and it was nice to see Ethan interacting so happily with them.

Great Grannie and Ethan playing. She knows exactly which toys he likes best.



















Grannie and Gramps having a giggle as Ethan runs away.

Last Wednesday! Ethan's new haircut!!

I have been keeping Ethan's hair long since 1) It's pretty cold here in the UK and 2) the back of it is natural curly and it's very special as most asian babies usually have pin straight hair. Since Adam and I both have pretty straight hair, we aren't sure where who he inherited it from.

Unfortunately though, there comes a time when the front and sides get a bit too long and the back and little too unruly so, it was time for a trim.

Mama and Papa Zee have a wonderful hair stylist who comes over to their house. Her name is Heather and she really did an amazing job on Ethan and she is expecting her first baby in 2 weeks! How exciting!

Ethan stood on a chair with both Adam and I supporting him as she snipped away. Ethan was most upset about being restricted and not being able to move, walk, run etc. I had to hold him after awhile since he got tired of standing up.

He didn't mind the hair cutting as he didn't push Heather's hand away. The back is still curly but not as thick as it was.

Then after a quick bath for Ethan, (and mommy) he was his happy, wonderful and extremely handsome and even more cuter than he was before self.

But hey, don't take my word for it, check out the pictures.

Sorry, I know i'm the mommy but he is just soooooooooooo cute!! (You've got to love those ears!)

Other than this, Ethan can...

* Climb up stairs and kind of scoot backwards on his belly down them

* Run away from you laughing when you chase him
* Eat toast, sausage, mash potato, yogurt, baby cookies but still prefers baby jar food.

*Sip from a straw and drink from a jar or bottle or cup
* Give you back something he shouldn't have taken in the first place.. most times

* Turn over after you've wiped his butt and get up and run away (- really frustrating...as it is cold here and he still has a runny nose)
* Say "Go Go" - Dog, "Dog Guh", "Mama", "Dada", "Baba"-dad, "bao bao" (pick me up),

* Walk around saying "dadadada"

* Push or pry open doors and slam them shut

* Shove you with his arm to get you out of the way.

* Throw food to the floor with extreme abandon and happiness

* Screams: "UHHHH!" when he really wants something

* Actively search for people who are in different rooms

* Just starting to get the hang of brushing his teeth.. this is still very much a work in progress

* He can still wave hello and goodbye.

*Uncle Dan has taught him how to give a "High 5"

* Loves the "London Bridges" tune and will wiggle and dance and smile when he hears it.

* Will actively point with his whole arm to where you should take him

* Will go grab the baby back carrier or Bjorn front carrier when he wants you to take him for a walk.

*Grab cloths on the table and pretend to wipe to table top or any surface nearby.

umm... so far that's all my tired mind can think of at the moment. I'll be sure to add on more as they come.

Oh today , (Friday) we went back to the library and it was Open Day. Ethan got his own library card, a bag with two free books,a laminated poster with poems, library information and a card which you collect stickers everytime you visit. Then after every 4 visits to the library, he gets a certificate. He also gets another 2 free bag of books when he is 18 months and 3 yrs old. All of this to encourage reading. This library is fantastic- not huge but perfect for Ethan to run around in and make mischief.

Okay, that's it for now.

Ethan goes to Playgroup: Last Tuesday

This past Tuesday, Daddy dropped us off for our first visit to playgroup. It's a little bit different than in Taiwan. There are two main carers and the mommies are there too hanging around and chatting. We got there a bit late and Ethan seemed to be the only one in his age group. There were wee babies and 3-4 yr old but that didn't stop him from joining in on the fun.

The entrance to playgroup. It was a 3 floor building with a play area on the 2nd floor and an assembly hall on the 3rd. The 2nd floor was filled with a book area, snack/play table and chairs, sand table, kitchen area/house area, book area and much more.

(Below) Ethan eyeing another boy. Maybe he's asking if he can sit next to him.



Getting ready for snack time. There were slices of oranges, bananas and raisins and milk. Ethan ate a piece of banana with the kids and then had his own milk.

Up on the 3rd floor, Ethan was following all the pretty girls around.













However, like all boys, the attraction of racing cars and bicycles was just too much.











Ethan joins in on the driving action.







This is Bronte. A very nice girl who played with Ethan.












Ethan sets his sights on the trampoline. Hmmm, maybe when you are a little bit bigger.









Below are some videos of playgroup. The second one is quite long.

See ya soon!

A few videos

The village of Bentham

An original drumming composition by Ethan Zahler accompanied by his dad.

Going in the card shop

Discovering my shadow!!

Discovering rocks!

Our second week in Bentham, England

Walking outside Mama and Papa Zee's house

The field to the left of Mama and Papa Zee's house. Then the road you follow after you leave Mama and Papa Zee's house.

The field and scenery on the left side of Mama and Papa Zee's house. This is a photo of our cool car. It's a Rover. I will take more pictures of the inside to show you all later.

Ethan sleeping in his new crib.

Daddy and Ethan in front of Mama and Papa Zee's house.

A silly closeup of mommy and Ethan .

Our house. We are on the left side.

Doing some shopping.

A gate outside the supermarket but it looks as if Ethan is in jail.

Ethan loved these green poles on the sidewalk. He kept hitting the sides of it with both hands.

On the way back to Mama and Papa Zee's house.

We thought Ethan was looking a bit bored on the way back but suddenly...

...he started moving back and forth in his stroller until the sun got in his eyes. Then he sat back again. HAHA.

That's the it for now. The next post will be videos.

Love you all. We miss you A-ma and Gong Gong. Ethan want to give you both and Asung a big Hug and Kiss!