Spring Photo Shoot

Trains and Boys

What is it about trains and boys? For that matter, what is it with girls and princesses? Ethan's new obsession is trains - he can hear them from miles away and tries to chase them no matter their distance. This picture is him at the Bellingham Railway Museum last weekend. He had a great time! We just bought him a train set today and he couldn't be happier.

Funny anecdotes

Scene: Last night. I'm putting Ethan to bed and holding him.

Ethan: (in a high pitched, sweet voice) "I love you mom. I love you. I love you mom."

Eric walks over.

Ethan: (to Eric) "Go away, papa! Go sit on the couch. Watch a nufee (movie)."

Poor Eric.
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Scene: This morning. I turn on the light and am getting Ethan out of bed.

Ethan: "Oh! Hi mom. I hi you? (How are you?)

Me: "I'm good baby. How are you?"

Ethan: "Light hurts my eyes. Light hurts my contacts."
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Scene: Riding in the car home from work today.

Eric: "Oh, Ethan, you're such a goofball."

Ethan: "Yeah, I a goofdog."

February 2009

First of all, thanks for all your comments and support regarding the last post. For the most part, we've made it through the rough patch I think. We've made some adjustments to his schedule, as well as some adjustments to my expectations. Here are some pictures of a visit to Boulevard Park with my family. The last picture is at Pittock Mansion in Portland. My mom, sisters, and I took a fun trip there last weekend. Farewell to Bonnie - we will miss you so much. Korea is awaiting your arrival!

It IS just a stage, right?

I do believe that parenting is the most difficult undertaking I have ever endeavoured. It has been a challenging month. Ethan has hit his stride as a two-year old....most of the time cute, funny, witty, and incredibly sweet. The rest of time....not so much. He has been throwing tantrums lately, and has mastered the art of whining. But the most challenging behavior has been his refusal to sleep. Up until this point, he has been such a good sleeper as we were dutiful in the early months with sleep training. But lately it has become a battle of epic proportions at naptime and bedtime, and he also wakes at least once in the middle of the night. This requires me to go downstairs and rub his head until he falls asleep again - which wouldn't be so bad except that I cannot get back to sleep so easily. I am realizing that when I lose sleep, my irritability and impatience levels rise considerably, especially given that Eric and I start work at 6:45. We have tried several techniques to combat these behaviors while trying to remain consistent and in control, but it is still quite frustrating. I guess it seems to be getting a bit easier, but I suspect it will be a long road. I am constantly trying to figure out whether he's manipulating me and it's a matter of will and power, or if he truly emotionally needs something. And then I'm always asking myself about what he's learning as a result of this situation and what the long-term consequence/solution is. Compound that with maternal guilt (since I work during the day) and you've got a recipe for exhaustion and feelings of parental inadequacy. That's been a theme for me lately....feeling inadequate and incompetent. But it has reminded me further to lean upon God for those qualities which I lack. Parenting also makes me strive even more to be the person I desire to be: selfless, loving, patient, healthy, and an example for my children to follow. I'm pretty sure I fail more than I succeed, but in my weakness, He is strong.

Holiday update

Greetings! I hope the holidays find you all abundant with joy and gratitude. I haven't blogged in ages so I'll give you the quick holiday update. First of all, we are very blessed to have an extended holiday vacation......a major perk of working in schools. We not only have two weeks off but an extra three days due to the snow. I have really been enjoying the beauty and rarity of the snow - what a blessing to have a white Christmas. We were able to spend a day with the Schwartz clan (sadly sans mom and pop and the Parkers) which was a lot of fun, especially since Sam, Michele, and Ada live in Arizona and it was a treat to see them. It was also fun to watch our brood of kiddos be cousins playing and laughing together.

Speaking of kiddos, I am pregnant and due June 28! Most of you are already aware of this fact, but it is certainly big news for us. The first trimester has been more difficult than it was with Ethan, but I am starting to feel better. My belly is poking out and things are healthy so far. We are excited! Now we just have to figure out some names (not finding out the sex), how we're going to pay for daycare, and oh yeah, where the babe is going to sleep.

Christmas was low-key for us. We went to a nice Christmas Eve service and Ethan ended up crawling into bed with us that night. Eric's mom Sue was with us for the day, and Ethan had so many presents we had to open them in about three rounds. It was lovely - a fire going all day, good food, and playing with our son. Thanks all, for Ethan's cool presents, he is loving the new entertainment. The best part of the break has been having the time to just hang out with Eric and Ethan. Since we work and Ethan is in daycare for the school year, it feels like a real treat to be able to spend time together without the mad scramble to get all household chores over the weekend. Ethan and I have spent a lot of time just cuddling on the couch, watching movies, laughing, tickling, counting, playing, and just loving each other. He exhausts me no doubt, but he's such a sweet, sweet boy.

The Engman men on the ferry

What we call "crazy face"

"Mawmowees" in the snow!

Ethan and his new fire truck.

A new drum set!! A big hit.

Love and peace to all!

Pokey Little Puppy

I'm a little late, but here are some Halloween pictures of Ethan. He was the cutest puppy ever! We went over to our friends' house for dinner and then went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with his friends "dragon" Ross and "Spiderman" Charlie. Last year he was in a stroller so this was his first experience of actually going up to the door and saying "tweat!" He must of thought it was the Tour of Homes instead of Halloween because he would ring the door bell and then just walk right in. On several occasions I had to rummage through random people's houses trying to find my son! He had such a fun time and so did we!