Walk before running...

I have been trying to teach E this mantra. He does SO well cruising around the house. The problem is, he doesn't walk. Not interested. He'd rather run. So, when he goes to take a step by himself at that speed, he just falls. We are making progress, though. He can walk just holding one hand now. It won't be long!

We had a great week! We spent Mother's Day at the zoo, along with every other family in the Pittsburgh area. It was PACKED! We still had fun, though. Ethan loved the aquarium. And the french fries. He got a little scratch on his nose this week - dummy tries to pull himself up on everything and forgets he has to be close to it in order not to fall. Such a boy.

My mom spent Tuesday night with us so she could spend her birthday with Ethan. He loves a visit from her - she never tells him no :-) Well, that's not true. We came home from school on Wednesday and Ethan was adamantly shaking his head (and whole upper body) "No" while laughing, of course. Now, he goes over to the stairs and just shakes his head before attempting to climb up. At least he's associating the stairs with "no". He's just missing the part that no means no!

Ethan did very well at swimming on Saturday - he laughed and talked the whole time. He enjoys a few parts - they line all the babies on the wall and we sing "Humpty Dumpty" - when we get to the 'had a great fall' part, we lift the babies into the water - he thinks that's pretty cool. He also likes picking a rubber ducky off of the wall (while screaming 'ducky' as loudly as possible...). We play fetch with it - he loves floating to catch it in the water. He also LOVES holding on to the bar on the side of the pool - I think mainly because he wants out, but he gets very proud of himself while he hangs on. This week, we had a different instructor who brought some different things. Ethan got to kneel on a boogie board - it was hilarious! We only have one more class and this session is over. Bummer. But, I think I'm going to sign him up for one at the Cranberry pool this summer - he really loves talking to and watching the other babies. It will be good for him. 

Ethan is working on some new words. Yesterday, my mom visited and I was talking about E's upcoming birthday (2 weeks to go!). Clear as day, Ethan said "birthday". It was so funny! Totally a fluke because he never said it again. But, he knows "water" and "ball" now. He can entertain himself for hours with a ball - he bats it across the room and chases it. He wears himself out! 

We have a busy week - it's our last full week of school - can you believe that? We are down to 13 days with students. I am SO looking forward to playing with Ethan all summer! We'll still be busy - AJ teaching lessons and me teaching summer school online - but, we have many fun activities planned. Anyway, AJ has a concert on Tuesday and the Mancini Awards for the musical on Wednesday. Then, he can relax! 

Enjoy the pics from the week.