Uncle Sean and Aunt Dani Come to Town

Well, Uncle Sean and Aunt Dani came to Tucson for the first time to meet Ethan. We had a great time. Their plane arrived 30 minutes early, if you can even believe that. Well, we hung out at the Embassy Suites, went to La Encantada, and then we had a big BBQ at the house.

The next day we went to Carefree to go out on the lake. First, we drove around looking for a hair straightener for Dani, and found several, and then we piled in the car. After a quick trip to Chipotle, we were off an running to Phoenix.

We went out on the lake on Saturday morning, and even though it was very windy and cold, we had a great time. Uncle Sean tried wakeboarding, and got up, for about 30 seconds. He was a champ. Aunt Dani held Ethan and kept him warm and happy.

Sunday was sad because we had to say goodbye to them. I hope they come back to visit soon!

Born to be a WILDCAT

Well, my parents are both total U of A Wildcat fans. Because of this, they like to dress me up in all kinds of Wildcat clothing, and just blue and red in general. I really like the Wildcats, well, the basketball team anyway. The football team is doing ok too. Either way, GO CATS!

I love my Giraffe

Morning is Ethan's favorite time of day....and he is starting to really get into his toys. He especially loves to hold his Giraffe and sleeps with it at night. This was taken when Ethan was 12 weeks and 1 day old. I can't believe how fast he is growing!

Grandma and Grandpa Come to Town

Well, two weeks ago Grandma and Grandpa came out for a visit. We all had a great time. Ethan had fun hanging out with Grandma while I got to go to the gym and Jon got to play soccer, and then we all took Ethan for his very first swim (in a pool--no life vest needed).


While he cried at first when we got it (the water was a little cold) he quickly warmed up to the idea of swimming and loved being in the pool.

Ethan is the luckiest baby around, he is so loved by all.

It runs in the Family

Well, I think this will answer everyone's question....who does Ethan look like? Here is a picture of Tiffie as a baby and one of Ethan. Think there is a resemblance?

Happy Baby

2 Months Old and Feelin Fine

Ethan is now officially 2 months old...which means a lot of things. First, it means that we have survived with him for almost 10 weeks. Second, it means that he is growing like a weed, and third, it means his first shots. It also means that he can sleep all the way through the night and it is time for fun things like play groups, baby gyms, and of course more tummy time!

We took Ethan in for his 2 month appointment and he measured 24 inches long!! To which, Jon replied, "Hey dude, you are 2 feet now!" Too Cute!! He weighed in at a whopping 12 pounds, 12 ounces, and is perfect in every way according to his pediatrician.

At 2 feet long, he is almost out of his Mutsy bassinet, and it will be time soon to move to the other part of the stroller, the super seat.

Ethan got a lot of shots for his first round, three actual pricks in the thighs, and then one oral one. I had to hold him, cause Jon could not look. Ethan screamed when poked for about 10 seconds, then went right to sleep, and slept most the of the afternoon. Those shots stink though!

Milestones for Ethan at month 2:

He is laughing and smiling on cue. He can turn his head from side to side to follow things. He likes to push himself up when on his tummy. He really likes to wiggle and move around the floor and the bed. He likes to do leg squats on Jon every morning. He loves to read books, especially Goodnight Moon. He likes to take baths, and loves to kick his legs like he is swimming. He finds the dog fascinating and has started to squeal and blow bubbles out his mouth!

Uncle Mike Comes to Town

Ethan's God-parents were chosen by use for several reasons. Most importantly, they are our best friends and have always been there for support for us when we needed them most.

To celebrate Jon's (29th) birthday, his best friend Mike, and Ethan's God-father, came out to visit. We had a great time that weekend, going out to eat, playing soccer, watching football, and just hanging out with Mike. We even took Ethan to U of A for the first time and showed him the stadium. GO WILDCATS!!!

Flying high up in the Sky

Well, we decided to surprise Grandma and Grandpa and fly out to Santa Barbara for the weekend. Needless to say, it was a big adventure for all.

We drove to Phoenix, Jon, Me, Snoopy, and Ethan. Then parked the car and managed to get into the airport with the dog, the baby, the stroller, the carseat, the bags, and you name it. It was quite the adventure.







Then, it was time to go through security, and little did I know that you would have to collapse the stroller, unswaddle the baby, and carry everything through. What a mess....and then there was the milk in a bottle I was bringing.....but I guess it is ok as long as you have a baby--Whew!!

So we got to Santa Barbara to find out that Jon's grandfather (Poodah) was not feeling well. He was in the hospital in fact. So, on Sunday, Ethan, Snoopy and I, spent the day with Grandma and Grandpa hanging out, while Jon went to visit his grandfather with his dad.

Ethan had a great time--we went for a walk, and he sported his cool shades. We played on the floor, had some nice time outside (something you can't do in Tucson thanks to the 100 degree weather...). Jon got back and we had a nice dinner, then it was time to hit the hay!

Well, as things turn out, we extended our trip so that Jon could see his Grandfather again, and Ethan and I spent most of the week hanging out with Grandma.


We took Ethan to the beach for the first time, and put his toes into the Pacific. The consensus? The PACIFIC IS COLD!!


We flew back on Friday, having learned a lot, this time we checked the car seat and the stroller and used the baby bjorn. Lesson learned...now, if USAir only did not charge to check baggage...
.

Boating Time

Well, we took Ethan out on the boat for his first trip. He was 5 weeks old at the time. We went with his God-Mother Autumn, and his good friend Tim. It was quite an adventure. Ethan slept the entire way up in the car (as he normally does) and then we got him dressed and put on his life vest. Rules are rules, and everyone under 12 must be in a life vest the whole time. This is probably a good thing though, safety is the top priority.







We got out on the boat and Ethan LOVED it. The rocking I suspect, and he went right to sleep again. We took his car seat into the boat, but of course did not strap him in. Snoopy was very protective as always.

Ethan went from person to person learning about the boat. We even took him in the water, at a steamy 78 degrees, but he was not as much of a fan of it as he was chillin in the boat.

We will try it again with him later this summer, but it was a great success for his first trip.

One Month Young, the Fun has just Begun!

Here are some pictures from Ethan on the day he turned 1 month old, August 12. To celebrate Ethan's 1 month birthday we spent the day playing. We went over to Rhody's house and played with all the kids, and then we had a great evening going on a family walk and playing together.

Ethan is an amazing baby. He is always so happy, and loves to play on the floor and really enjoys life. He is about 10 pounds now, as measured by us holding him on a scale and subtracting our weight, (not the most accurate, but we will go with it) and is about 22 inches long, again, doing our best, he wiggles after all.

Snoopy is still absolutely obsessed with him and can't stand to hear him cry!

Ethan The Sleeper

Well, Ethan continues to amaze us every day. He is such a terrific sleeper, I just wanted to put up some super cute pictures of him sleeping. I know, I know, but still, sooo cute!

Funerals, Road Trips, and Firsts

Well, this blog is only about 2 months late, but better late than never huh?

Following the visit from the Bialis', we got some bad news, Jon's grandmother, Bubbie, had passed away. As is the case in Jewish custom, the funeral was set for 2 days later, and so Jon, Ethan, Snoopy and I piled into a rental car and began our trek across the desert.

Ethan was a CHAMP in the car--in fact, I think he travels better than either Jon or I do. Snoopy sat next to him the entire time, and kept him happy and calm. We drove from Tucson all the way to Westlake on Wednesday, and spent the night in the Four Seasons, Ethan's first hotel room. I can't get over how great of a traveler he is.

Thursday we went to the memorial service and then on to the get together at Aunt Tina's house. While funerals are not happy occasions, it was nice for Ethan to get to meet a lot of people. He met his Aunt Laura, Aunt Melanie, and Great-grandfather Poodah. He also met Great Aunt Tina, his Great Uncle David, and Jon's cousins, Julia, Michael, Tracy, Carrie and a bunch of family friends.

Friday was the highlight of the trip as we cruised to Santa Barbara and got to spend the morning with Grandma and Grandpa. Ethan played on the floor and on Uncle Sean's bed, and had a great morning.

We then went and got to see Jon's cousin Robin and her husband Josh and their adorable little daughter Emmy! Emmy even got to hold Ethan and LOVED every minite. She was convinced he was a doll, and she could not keep from smiling!

Then, it was back in the car for the rest of the journey home, with a stop over at a very cool hotel in Avondale Arizona.

Whew, you can see why the blog was late, we were TIRED!

What a wild, wild world!

Sorry it has been a while since we caught everyone up on our current activities. It has been a busy week for us.

Ethan went to the doctor for his 2-week check up. He was 8 pounds and 5 ounces, having grown a lot since his last appointment. In addition, he was 20 inches long!! These stats put him in the 25% for length and the 50% for weight! The doctor also said that he was acting like a 6 week old, holding up his head and sleeping so well. Watch out, at this rate, he will be crawling soon!

Jon's parents came to visit for the weekend and we all had a nice time walking around La Encantada and going to Jon's soccer game. They also brought us the stroller that Mimi (Jon's grandmother, Ethan's grear-grandmother) had gotten us, and it was a life-saver!

After saying goodbye to Jon's parents on Sunday it was time to relax and get back into somewhat of a routine. Ethan is a great sleeper and loves his tummy time on the floor on his "colors" that Grandma made him. He loves to roll from his back to his side, and then back again to his back. He loves to look around, and is starting to smile!

Week One Done, Week Two, here we come

Well, this is coming a bit later than expected, but as they say, better late than never.

The last week has just flown by for Ethan, Jon and me as we are learning to get along as a family of 3 (humans that is) and 8 animals (not counting the fish). We have been getting out at least once a day, going to Lowes, or Target, or the grocery store.


Ethan also had his first bath last weekend, and while he was not overly thrilled the first time, he really LOVES them now. He likes to relax and soak in the Milk soak that his Grandma got him.

Other firsts this week? Well, my almost 2 week old baby can roll over!! What a trick. I am attaching a video of him doing it, but it a little dark. We will work on getting one again that is more light in color.

Other than that, I am still pleased to report that Ethan is a SLEEPER. He lets us sleep from about 7 until about 1:30 in the morning, eats, and then sleeps again until about 6:00. We could not ask for more....especially since the Tour De France is on nice and early so Dad gets to watch it!

Have a great week, and more this weekend!

Ethan at 15 Hours Old

Hello World!!

After 6 hours of labor, we were so blessed to welcome Ethan Alexander Bialis to the world at 7 lbs 6 ounces and 19.25 inches long. This is his first video, taken the morning after birth in the hospital. It is AMAZING how beautiful he is, and perfect, and oh yeah, I guess I am a little biased!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

Well, it is the fourth of July, and still no appearance of the little one. Ethan is very active, kicking and wiggling, but still not ready to come out. Jon and I are just spending time this weekend getting some more things ready. The car seats have all been installed into the cars, the crib is all ready to go, and the bags are packed. Now, it is a waiting game....a long one at that!!

Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive and asking how things are going. Check back next time to see pictures of Ethan as soon as he decides to make an appearance!

Welcome One and All

Hello everyone and welcome to Ethan's Blog. We will be keeping this up to date from here on out, so feel free to check back often to see how he is growing. In addition, feel free to check out our family web page at (http://web.mac.com/jonandtiff/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html) to see pictures of the cats, doggie, and us as well. Comments are of course always welcome, and we can't wait for Ethan to make his appearance!