Grandpa Visits

This week grandpa came to visit. And with it Ethan's musical journey progressed from Lady Gaga (via Mommy and Aunt Helena) and Pearl Jam and Pink Floyd (via ,Daddy of course) to include Mozart, Beethoven, Puccini, and other classical composers. This also gave Mommy and Daddy a much needed break from the repetitive tunes of Ethan's Baby Einstein Around the World Bouncer.

We all had a wonderful time with Grandpa and were sad to see him leave. We are looking forward to Ethan's first trip to California this summer to see everyone again.

For photos of Grandpa's visit, follow this link.

Aunt Helena visits

Aunt Helena came to visits this week and gave Ethan his first glimpse into artistic genius. As a "Welcome-to-the-World" gift she agreed to paint a painting for Ethan. What she created was by no means short of the most brilliantly, artistic, and creative scene of Pooh (the bear that is). In the mean while, Ethan learned about sketching, composition, how to use techniques such as hue and line to create feeling and emotion, and other techniques far beyond the comprehension of his parents. Ethan watched in awe, absorbing it all like the little sponge that he is; you could tell by the serene silence that overcame him as he watched is Aunt work. Now how did this "serene" silence differ from "I'm-an-infant-and-can't-talk-anyway" silence? Well it was subtle and pretty much indescribable. But trust me it was definitely there.
I am his father... I know these things.

Trust me.



For more photos of Helena's visit, follow this link.

Definately NOT gas!

Why is it that whenever an infant smiles people always say the same thing: "Oh, it's just gas". Is that meant to suggest that their smiling is just a reflex? Or perhaps that as an infant the only joy that he can experience is from farting. And if it is the later, is that such a bad thing? I know a lot of adult men who still get a goofy grin on their face whenever they break wind. Perhaps when Ethan would smile while passing gas he was really just showing its maturity, trying to fit in with adult male society in the only way he knows how. He really is quite advanced for his age, you see.
Well the days of "It is just gas" are officially over! That is right, Ethan is now smiling socially; there is no doubt about it. All you have to do is Ohh and Ahh and the biggest grin you ever saw, from such a tiny mouth, would creep across Ethan's face. It is definitely NOT gas anymore (although he does still seem to get joy from going to the bathroom on Mommy and Daddy whenever they let their guard down. He seems to know that poopie jokes are timeless so he is starting to practice early.)

For more photos of Ethan smiling (not from gas) follow this link.

Sweet Dreams

At only a few weeks old Ethan is proving himself to be a very happy child. Even in his sleep he has dreams which bring a huge grin to his face and warms the hearts of those who get to witness it.


For those of you who ever question the nature of humanity and our inherent good or evil, look no further than a sleeping Child. Amid the pristine slate of an infant you can see first hand the happiness at the core of our souls. Our goal in life, and as parents, is to ensure that it is never lost and that Ethan can continue to spread his happiness to others even after he becomes aware of the harshness present in the world. If he can keep that joy throughout life, then I will consider our jobs as parents a success.

Christmas Continues

So after an action packed Christmas at Yia-yia's house Ethan was visited by his cousins Aiden and Gianna who were kind enough to give Ethan his very first dancing lesson.
Aunty Angela and Uncle lack were also there for the week helping Mommy and Daddy out and of course showering Ethan with a never ending supply of love and effection.


Aunt Alexis and Uncle Don as well as Aunt Tanya and Uncle Dimitri were also able to join the party and contribute to the never ending Christmas. Our only fear is that once Christmas is over, Ethan will be upset because by that time, he will have been celebrating Christmas for the majority of his life. When pretty much your entire life has been Christmas and suddenly it is over... well I can't imagine. We will just have to look forward to next Christmas.





For more pictures of Ethan's post-Christmas through New Year, follow this link.