Ethan's work Childrens Christmas party

Tonight was Ethan's work childrens Christmas party. Ethan wanted to take Orrin to it as we could make an "appearance" for a short time. Santa came on a firetruck and passed out presents to the kids. There was pizza and everyone brought cookies. It was nice. Orrin got to meet another kid about four months older than he. He was very interested in the other kid. The child is a son of a guy, James who works with Ethan. Orrin is such a social butterfly. He loves to be out with lots of people. He also just likes to watch everyone.

Santa Visit

We made the trip to the mall which is 75 miles away to where the Bass Pro Shop is. (Ethan's favorite store in the whole world) So we thought that since we were there Orrin should go and see Santa for the first time. He now is at that stage where separation anxiety is a factor so we did have some tears as you can see at first then, it was like I am not sure what to make of you, Santa. All in all Orrin did really good. I love the picture where Orrin is just staring at Santa. I am sure these pictures will be blackmail when he is older. We were lucky and did not have the luxury of documenting every moment with a digital camera and then posting it on the Internet.

Pulling himself up on own

Ethan was at Walmart and saw these balls that go in one of those ball gyms. He thought that if he just bought that ball part that he could make his pack-n-play a "ball gym" So he came home with two big bags of balls. Orrin really doesn't know what quite to make out of so many balls; but I am sure he will learn soon enough. Orrin is still not crawling but he doesn't cry like he used to when you lay him in his tummy. He I believe found out that he can "move" by rolling over to get where he wants to be. We are working on scooting and crawling.

Orrin says Momma!!!!

Orrin finally uttered those words I've been waiting it seems like forever for him to say. Ethan always says that every time he leaves, Orrin does something new. Of course this time Ethan was hunting with Joshua, his brother in VA when Orrin said Momma for the first time. Here is a video of him talking.

A Messy Baby

Here is another attempt to feed oneself. He was having Chicken and rice dinner. Orrin had it everywhere. He lliked using his hands better than his spoon this time. The last shot is of him getting cleaned up. He has these bath toys that you fill with water and shoot the water out but as you can see he was using the Seahorse as a "bobo" or pacifer. It was funny though. He gave a smile to the camera for me.

With Orrin exceeding both the weight and length limits it was time for a new car seat. So that means Orrin has a new car seat. It also means that anytime we have to move him and he is asleep we have to wake him up. Well he becomes awake when we have to move him. The new car seat is going to be an adjustment a welcome one I should add. It just all means that our baby is growing up.

First Halloween

Ethan and Orrin had a good time during Orrin's first Halloween. Orrin passed out candy for only a short while before his eyes were sleepy. Although we have tons and tons of kids in the neighboorhood not many came to our house. Orrin as you can see dressed up as a pumpkin. Or should I say "super" pumpkin! Ha ha. Him and his Daddy love the remote control; it must be a "man thing."

Rappahannock Winery

Fall is here! Ethan just loves the time of year when the leaves begin to change. Well now they have pretty much completely changed and are falling to the ground. This was the second part of our trip out toward West VA. As everyone knows how much we like to wine taste this was right up our alley. It is a young winery, starting its' first vines in 1999 and first harvest in 2000.

We took many candid picutres. Here are a few from our day excurision. My favorite is the one where Ethan is kissing Orrin and he is just a smilin'. The last part is a video we took while on the drive back into Maryland. We had to stop for an Orrin dinner break. He said, "Da-da" for the first time while Ethan/Daddy was feeding him. It was great, Ethan of course was all smiles. Orrin then decided that he was not going to say it again for a few days later. :) But anyway, thought you guys might want to see the lil man in action trying to feed himself. He doesn't like to do it often himself but it is a work in progress. Enjoy.

Day Trip to the Caverns

We decided it was time to take a family trip. There is so much to do around here. We usually always say we want to this or that but never get out butts in gear and just go and do it. So the other day I told Ethan let's just pick something to do and set a date on the calander and do it. That is just what we did. We had lotsl of fun. The choice was as you can see was going to the caverns. It was only an 2.5 hour drive which was beautiful not much traffic either. The sun was shinning and the temperature was perfect.



Inside the caves it was a little chilly. It stays a low 54 degrees all year long. It sounds really cold but it wasn't that bad. Taking a trip with children is a lot different than just going with the two of you. We had a young tour guide and several of the lights in the cavern were out. The tourguide had a flashlight and all but he was in front. We stayed the back with the stoller and all. By the time we got to the place where we were soupossed to be looking at the tourguide was just about finished talking and turining out the lights to go to the next stop. At times I was like, "Hey can you please shine your flash light over here so we could see." He was like, "oh, sorry." So for what we payed for we saw and heard like half of it. That must be the beauty of having kids. I do mean that in a good way. I found it quite humorous myself at the time and even now.

Found a friend in the basement

This is what Ethan found in the basement the other day!!! Yikes!!! When Ethan showed me the picutures at first, I did not have any frame of reference. So to me the snake looks huge! He then told me that the snake was in a VCR cover box. We all know how big those boxes are. But still it was in our basement. It was next or behind the big water boxes we have down there. I was just there not too long before Ethan found the little critter. He has been safely caught courtesy of Animal savior, Ethan Abbott and returned to the wild. No animals/reptiles were hurt in taking of these pictures. :)

Fun in the BIG sink

Orrin has graduated to the big kitchen sink. He is too long for his "baby" bath tub. His arms in particular have grown so much. He can now reach and grap at the teddy bears on his swing. Ethan said he never thought that he would be able to ever reach them. Orrin loves to take a bath. He knows exactly where the water comes out from and which nob turns it on.

Cutting First Tooth

We all have been waiting to see when Orrin's first tooth is going to arrive. We'll it is here!!! He was so cranky the night before not wanting to lay down for a nap for anything. The next morning as I was changing his diaper I see the first beginings of a tooth! The most favorite thing for him to chew on is his Daddy's or Mommie's fingers, Ouch! He is growing up so fast. You have to click on the picture to get the expanded view to see it cutting through.

Orrin's six month check up was on Friday and he is doing fine. He has of course found his feet and sucks on his toes. He can sit supported and has tried many fruits and veggies. He most dislikes peas but loves green beans. Go figure? He is 27.5 inches long and weighs in at 17 pounds 15 ounces. That's puts him at 49% percentile for weight and 76% percentile for height. He is growing like a weed!

Down in Georgia

I had a great opportunity to go down to GA to see Jenette while I had a couple of days off from work. Guido planned to go on a Christian retreat for the weekend. Olivia decided not to show her face while I was down there; and that's okay. She gave us a run for the money but she was only teasing us. Jennifer, my mother in law is also in Georgia at the "ready". Jenette and I decided to take the kids to the playground and I took a couple of snap shots of Xavier and Veronica. They too are growing so fast. Anytime I get to spend with them is time well spent.