the big 1/6

Happy 2-month birthday to our sweet baby boy!

This month, he had a big task - to put on weight - and boy, did he ever succeed! This big boy put on 4 pounds in just over 4 weeks, and I'm proud to say he's now on the growth chart. He's in the 15th percentile for height and weight (and the 85th for head size...)!!

We're in the phase of batting at objects, studying everything, and those wonderful social smiles.

He's still got big blue eyes and red hair - though there's less hair now, as he's lost the hair on the top of his head and looks like a bald old man. We'll consider it an homage to his great-grandpa Ned, who is smiling down on him from above.

He loves to be held, especially by his dad, who gets most of those smiles. He isn't yet sleeping through the night but he does give us 4-5 hour uninterrupted stretches, for which we are most grateful.

Ethan is so talkative that even the pediatrician mentioned it! No idea where he gets that trait (Joe?). He makes sounds continually, and while he takes his bottle he coos contentedly.

Oh, how I love this beautiful boy.

Making friends

Belatedly posting some photos from Ethan's first 'play date'. Michele, the dietitian from our office, was due 2 weeks after me and delivered Benjamin, aka Benjie, 1 month after me. Ethan and Benjie met when E was 6 weeks old and little Benjie was 2 weeks old. They really hit it off. OK, mostly Ethan cried which set Benjie to crying, but once E got his pacifier in place they were cool. All in all, it was a total success.

Smiling Little Stomper

I love the 7-8 week old newborn because it marks the start of social smiling. Yeah, it might be gas, but I like to think he's happy to see me!

--Mr. Leaven

Texans' littlest fan

 
Ethan was able to attend his first Texans game last weekend, thanks to the generous CBS Radio folks. We were in a rockin' suite to cheer on the Texans at the 2012 season opener against the Dolphins. And (spoiler alert) our Texans kicked Miami's rear!!

The highlight of the day for Ethan (and his papa) was meeting a couple of lovely Texans cheerleaders, who were more than willing to hold E and coo over him while the photographer snapped a pic.

We wanted to find a Texans onesie for E but the only option at the stadium was way too big for his little frame. Fortunately, this week I was able to pick up a fan-tastic set at Wal-Mart (thanks for the tip, Felicia!) and he's ready for his next game. He'll be back at Reliant Stadium to see the Texans beat the Packers in October - sorry, Wisconsin family, we love y'all but our loyalties are to our home team and the Packers outfit you sent us will have to wait for another day.

Ethan's new playmat

He's loving his cool new pad! *warning - this will be supremely uninteresting to anyone but his family!