Love and Marriage....

....go together like a horse and carriage.  Sorry, I couldn't resist.  And I apologize for putting the song in your head. 

This is not my usual gratuitous post about my adorable baby and his antics.  We will get back to him in our next post.  Instead, I want to take a moment to express to everyone how grateful and blessed I feel for my HUSBAND!! 

As I was listening to Kidd Kraddick and crew, yesterday morning on my way to work, I began to feel sad and a little annoyed - a frequent feeling I get when I listen.  They were discussing a survey about the relationships that are found in marriages.  It was pointed towards what is expected from each role, husband and wife along with the gifts and such that wives/girlfriends would prefer to receive from their significant others.  It really made me realize how cynical, not only the women on the show, but women in general have become about relationships and marriages.  The comment was made, "You wouldn't believe what he would expect if he empties the dishwasher" (or something to the affect).  Gifts that are preferred: a prepared meal, but with this comes expectations?  They compared relationships and marriage to legalized prostitution!?!  What has happened to the mindset of our society?   And who is to blame for this, man, woman, or both?

My husband realizes that marriage is a two way street.  He helps out around the house.  He helps take care of his son.  He even brings me flowers just because it is Tuesday.  He doesn't have to be asked to do these things, he just does them.   I can't count the number of times he has emptied the dishwasher or cleaned up around the house.  He even makes me breakfast on the weekends.....and cleans up after.

Is Robert like Nessie or Bigfoot?  Is this type of man that hard to find these days?  Or could it be that we, as women, have become so cynical that we have stopped believing and started settling?  I have a hard time believing that these men aren't out there.  I know plenty of men that are great husbands.  Women just need to stop putting up with crap and maybe give the good guy a chance.  Chances are you know this good guy.  You have been considering him your best friend.  The good guy wants to help out.  The good guy will be there and will expect only the same in the return. 

Robert, I love you and am so thankful for all that you do for our little family. 

Waving bye-bye to eight months

And ready to take on the last 3 months of his first year.  The love of my life (the tiny one) is 9 months old today.  This lovable little guy is hoping this month is better than the last week or so.  He has had an ear infection that has been kicking his little booty ever since we got back from Arizona.  But, he is a trooper and handling it with more grace than should be expected of a little babe. 

Face forward shots are a thing of the past. 

We went in for his 9 month check up today.  He is right on track for his age. 

9 Month Stats:

Weight: 22 lbs 10 oz (81%)
Height: 28.5 inches (60%)
Head Circumference: 47 cm (97%)

We are learning to eat finger foods, cruising along the furniture, and gabbing with us a lot more frequently.  He can say da-da, ba-ba, and mama.  And today for the first time he waved bye-bye to someone besides himself in the mirror.  The lucky person to get the first wave is my friend Sarah (mom of his friend Abigail) as they were walking to the door after our play date this afternoon.  He was so excited for himself that he repeated it about three times. 

Here are some outtakes from today's monthly shot.  He has made a new friend in the monkey. 

How 'bout a smooch!

Not a smooch, how 'bout a hug

I will get that camera one day mom!

I love monkey.

Happy Monday everyone!

How many Flynn's does it take.....

....to get an eight month old through his first flight?  In our case, seven adults and a two year old.  This pass weekend marked a lot of first for us as parents and for our little one.  Airplanes, swimming, baseball.  We did it all.  The ENTIRE Flynn family made a five day trip out to Surprise, Arizona to celebrate Grandma Flynn's 90th birthday!!  All nine of us were booked on the 6:55am flight from DFW to PHX.  We were quite the herd moving through DFW.  Of course we got stopped at security for all of the baby food.  We had others rolling their eyes and others dreading sitting next to the baby on the plane.  I don't complain too much.  It wasn't so long ago that was us.  In fact, I think our business travlers (you know who you are) still dread it sometimes, just with more compassion.  Ethan did great!  He played with cousin Emma for awhile, took a little nap, and did a little reading.  His favorite part had to be the window. 

7 am flight, still dark out

Cousin Emma, what's going on?!

                                        
On Friday we all went out to a spring training game to support our Rangers.  While the Rangers didn't have a steller game, we had a great time.  We had the pleasure of sitting directly behind the Rangers' dugout.  We got to see most of the players up close and personal.  Olt even gave a nice smile to the cute baby sitting in my lap.  It must be all of the support he was giving.  The best part of the game?  Well, it wasn't being peed on by Ethan (hybrid diapers take practice, we got down by the end of the trip).  I would have to say it was stealing from Robert catching a game ball that the ball boys were tossing.  Don't worry, he got one too.  Then he sweetly gave it to a little boy.  We then proceeded to get the ball signed by HOF, Fergie Jenkins, since Nolan was too depressed from our loss to talk to me. 

Yes Mom, I think I will have a nacho

Michael Young kept getting in my way when I was trying to take Hamilton's picture...the nerve

All 15 of us at the game

Just a little seventh inning snooze

Friday night we had a small pizza party for a pre-birthday celebration.  Grandma was very surprised to see her face through the years on our shirts, banners, and fans.  Aunt Shelly even talked all of the grand kids into doing a skit showcasing Grandma's finest attributes and successes throughout her life.  And I am here to tell you, she has been a very successful woman at home and in her career.  I found the stories about her fascinating.  Not only has she raised three great kids that are now amazing people, she hosted a radio show in Iowa and taught kids on the Quiz Kids Radio Show back in the day.

The whole group

Ethan's first time meeting Great Grandma Flynn.  He warmed up soon after

All of the grand kids performing their skit

Saturday we enjoyed some time at the swimming pool.  This was Ethan's first time swimming.  The pool water was actually a little too cool, but the hot tub was too, so it was the perfect temperature for little babes.  Swim lesson are definitely to start soon.  He loved the water.  No surprise there. 

Saturday night was the big event.  Thirty-five of Grandma's closest friends and family came to join in the festivities.  Ethan got to enjoy some ice cream and cake icing, compliments of our table mates, Joyce and Ed.  He was up pretty late that night.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and were honored to come celebrate the joyous occasion.

The lobby had a beautiful piano that both of the kiddos found very entertaining.  They put on quit a show for Grandpa.  And how cute is this little guy in his suit? 

The rest of the weekend we just took it easy and spent some quality time with the family.  There wasn't much crawling space in the hotel room, but the mirror proved to be a great source of entertainment.  By Monday we were definitely ready to be back at home.  All in all I would say that it was a successful first trip with Ethan.  Odds are that he has the travel gene that all of the Flynn men have.  This was great practice for our next trip later this summer.  It was great to spend some time with all of the Minnesota family that we never get to see.  I hope everyone had a safe trip home.

Happy birthday Grandma Flynn.  As you sit reading this on your notebook in front of your window, know that everyone was thrilled to come out to see you and had a fabulous time!  We hope to see you again soon!

P.S.  These are just a few of the pictures.  I have all of them on my Picasa account.  Click here to see.  I have already added some.  More will be added as I edit them.  I hope to get that done tonight.

Up next week:  Ethan will be nine months old...Eeeeek!

Social Butterfly and first Sick visit

What.A.Week.  It has been a hectic one.  My little guy has been so popular.  We started the week by going to lunch with Dad and his co-worker, Andria.  On the way home we stopped in for a play date with Sarah and Abigail.  On Tuesday, his congestion had gotten pretty bad so we decided it was time to pay a visit to the doctor.  This is was his first official "sick" visit.  I think going a full 8 months is a pretty good record.  We have been going through rag after rag wiping his tiny little nose.  Who knew something so small could hold SO much!!  Lucky for us his congestion hadn't moved to his chest and no RSV.  Give me a Woo Hoo!  It became a waiting game for the rest of the week.  However, he did have the early signs of an ear infection.  So we were sent over to pharmacy for antibiotics.  I am happy to report that he is feeling much better today and it looks like he should be back to normal in a day or two.  To be honest though, if it weren't for all of the snot, you wouldn't know he was sick.  He is still his happy little self.

Tuesday also happened to be a great day to celebrate our 3 year anniversary.  Since we were told Ethan wasn't contagious, the three of us went to dinner at Olive Garden.  My husband is so good to me.  He bought me a great new pair of crochet TOMS and a Parrot for my car so I can talk hands free!  He didn't go without though.  Being the leather year (yes, I am the weird person that thinks it is funny to attempt to find presents in those categories), I decided to get Robert an autographed Frank Thomas baseball.  He was pretty excited!  Plus he is supposed to be indicted into the Hall of Fame soon.  Maybe the ROI will go up too!
Wednesday and Thursday were important lunches with important ladies.  My grandmother's sister (I guess that would make her Ethan's Great-Great Aunt MaryLou?) was in from Maryland.  We made a trip to Arlington to have lunch with the family.  He was a sweetie to our out of town guest.  Thursday we made our way downtown to have lunch with my cousin Ranea.  It was such a beautiful day, we got to see Dad twice in one week, as he decided to take an afternoon walk around downtown with us!  We then stopped by my old office to drop off treats for my favorite former co-worker!  The boy knows how to ham.it.up!  He is such a flirt when it comes to the ladies.  I can't wait until Spring officially starts so we can enjoy weeks like this more often. 

Hope these warm temps stick around, I hate to wear pants!!

Playing with his buddy Turk.

He does so well in restaurants these days.  I am always amazed by his patience.  I mean, how cute is this guy????

Giving Mom kisses.  Laying in the floor is not a one person activity anymore!

My personal favorite!!  Those eyes, that smile!

8 months old

Ethan is 8 months old as of yesterday.  He is one happy, mobile baby.  This month's picture was pretty difficult to take.  He did not want to sit still.  He loves having his picture taken; he just thinks he should be starring in action shots, none of these posed photos.  I finally got one or two though, with the help of friends and the tv. 

Eight month stats
Weight: 22.6 pounds
Height: 28 inches

At eight months we are mobile and giggly.  He is so happy and sweet most days.  He is learning to play a little more independently, but not for long periods of time.  Kissing is one of his new favorite activities.  He uses them to try to get out of naps, but mostly just to be sweet.  I am positive this comes from all of the lips that are coming towards him when he is visiting Grandmas and then of course me.  Ethan is learning so much everyday.  He is starting to realize that actions have reactions, if you push a button it sings or lights up.  He has started to take more interest in books, more than just as a snack.  He actually sits through one and sometimes two.  He really likes Elmo at the Zoo and Dr. Suess' ABC's.  While his tv remote is still his favorite toy, he is learning to branch out to others.  He enjoys knocking down stacked blocks and his glowworm. 

We have been going to a playgroup once a week the past month or so.  Ethan is learning to interact with other babies.  His loving personality is turning him into quite the ladie's man.  He and Abigail play a couple times a week.  They are getting to know one another pretty well. 

As previously posted, he is starting to do some cruising on two legs.  He now uses his walker to push around the kitchen.  I am not in a big hurry for him to start walking, but I don't think I get much say in the matter.  I guess I could pull a Josh Duhamel and push him down like in Life as we know it.  But, I guess that isn't as funny in real life.....

 

Some of his other favorite activities include all things Turk.  Whether it be giving him kisses, petting him -- which is really just him flinging his arms up and down in his general direction, or chasing Turk in his car, it is always as good time to Ethan.  Turk is going to be getting some exercise once Ethan does start walking. 

Isn't it Romantic

I am a couple of days late on this, but Happy Valentine's Day.  Robert and I have never been big on Valentine's Day.  Maybe that is why I am slacking on this one.  Dad and Grandpa Flynn were both traveling on Tuesday so Ethan had an extra Valentine to entertain.  We all three went to the new Mi Cocina across the street for delicious Mexican food.  Yum.  Friday night Ethan got to hang out with Aunt Carissa.  They decided to have a little impromptu photo shoot to show off the new outfit she made for him.  He is so handsome.  

Other than Valentine's Day, things have been pretty quiet around here.  Ethan gets a little sweeter everyday!  Bath time is his favorite time of day. 

 

Every superhero needs a cape!

Baby superhero on the move!

Ethan and Wyatt have playdate

Well, I am about a week or so late getting this up.  Last week, Ethan had is BFF, Wyatt, over for a playdate.  Lisa and I used to work at SUGS together and had the pleasure of being pregnant together.  She was a couple of months ahead of me.  Wyatt is almost exactly two months older than Ethan.  Unfortunately, the boys didn't feel the need to coordinate their nap schedule.  Ethan ended up sleeping for the first part of the date.  By the time Ethan woke up, Wyatt started getting tired.  We did get about an hour or so of playtime.  Plus, it was nice for us to be able to catch up.  Wyatt is a little bigger than Ethan and tried to wrestle with him some.  He is used to having older kiddos around and was not understanding that he needed to use gentle hands.  He really just wanted to rub his friend's head.  Ethan sat there to really absorb what is going on.  But, they were super cute playing together.  It was a fun day for Mommies and boys!  I think in a month or two they will be all over each other!

This was there second playdate.   They have grown so much since the last time we got these two together.  I think they were 3 and 5 months at that time.  Unfortunately, we live about hour apart.  So, we don't get to get together as often as we like. 

I look forward to watching these two grow up together.  Thank you Lisa and Wyatt for coming out to play.  We had a great time!