He finally did it.  Ethan is walking.  A little more than a week ago he took the first few steps.  He was by the window in the dining room, the one overlooking our tiny little garden that overflows with tomato plants.  He let go of the dining room chair that sits against the window and made his first brave unasisted steps.  I cheered so loudly he almost fell over.  Once he realized he earned the same reaction every time he walked, he was eager to try it more.  Now one week later, he’s doing pretty well.  He walks a lot and can make it quite a ways - today all the way from the bathroom to the middle of the living room – at which point Emily accidentally knocked him down.  It’s just a matter of time now; I’d better get my running shoes on.  Oh, and the video camera.  Folks aren’t kidding about the second child…poor thing, totally neglected

We have a lake place.  Most days I feel very fortunate to have one.  For a number of reasons it just worked out, and I’m pretty sure the stars would never align like that again.  It’s great to have  place to hang our hats in the summer.  We have a nice little cabin and even a loft in the garage where people can sleep.  The lake is just big enough to ski; it has lots of fish and is very clean and deep.  It’s great to invite family and friends and is an expected hang out on the 4th of July (in fact, we would be very sad if no one showed up on the fourth).  It is however, a lot of work.  Two yards to mow, two places to clean, always something to fix…and now two kids (ages three and one) to keep busy.  The place is in good shape but more of a money pit than we realized.  One day my husband and I started talking about what we would do (and how we would spend the extra cash) if we didn’t have the cabin, and we half considered selling it.  But when I saw my three-year-old tubing on the lake for the first time this weekend and when I see the wonderful pics from family on Facebook, I realize that its worth it.  And in a couple years, my kids will be the perfect age for a lake summer - not that I’m not wishing time away.  I’m happy to enjoy them at the lake this summer, just as soon as the towels are clean and the dishes are done and the floaties are blown up and the…

At 13 months, Ethan isn’t walking yet.  He seems to be happy just crawling, and he gets places pretty fast that way.  I’m pretty sure he’s waiting until he can walk as fast as he crawls so I’m trying to get mentally prepared for the change.  We go to the lake in the summer so things could get interesting in a month or two.  No matter what, it’s fun to watch him grow, and I guess I could use a little more exercise!

The first several conversations I didn’t quite understand what Emily was asking for.  It was something like, “Mommy grab the circle” so I started reaching for things that were somewhat circular.  I turned the radio down.  No mommy and she’d point “the circle.”  I’d try to find something else.  Finally she’d turn away like ugh, nevermind.  That happened a few times until finally I realized, “this honey, the steering wheel?”  “Yeah, mommy, hold the top of the circle.”  “10 and 2, right, honey, good advice.”

We recently took my three-year-old daughter and our one-year-old son to Minneapolis. We stayed in a hotel and went to the Mall of America to meet Dora the Explorer (very exciting stuff). Of course since we were at a hotel, we had to check out the pool. We swam for a while and when we got back to the room, it was time to take a shower. Emily excitedly went into the bathroom saying come on, Mom, lets wash the caffeine off – very cute, but I guess I need to cut back on the coffee!

Poor Ethan.  He’s my second child.  Emily is my first child.  As numero uno, Emily received our full attention – Ethan not so much.  For example, I have so much video of Emily bathing, it’s ridiculous.  I think I might have gotten Ethan (who’s 1) in the tub twice now (a fact I’m sure he’ll be thankful for some day).  I could go on and on.  That, however, is about to change.  I’m almost done with my masters (whoot, whoot).  That’s right, one test and one master’s project left and that not-so-tiny project will be done, done and done. And no, I’m not sure it will be worth it, and no I’m not expecting a big raise, but I did start it while working at NDSU so half of it was free (great perk).

Anyway, now that I don’t have to spend so much of my time on homework, I can devote my spare time to blogging so I will remember every tiny little detail about Ethan and Emily.  Like the fact that he recently learned to clap – and loves doing it.  Or like how he looks at you to make sure he has your attention as he reaches for the outlet (which has stuff plugged into it) so you can say No, Ethan - it’s a fun game.  Or how he loves, loves, loves to push the bubbles or shampoo into the bathtub.

Yep, I’m going to spend a lot more time blogging, taking pictures and video, and I’m even going to update that baby book.  I will not however, start scrapbooking.  I know my limits.  Having said all that, it is summer and we do go to the lake so we’ll see how I do.  Right now, I’m optimistic.

The other day Emily said I don’t want any more brothers or sisters just one brother and one sister no more Emilys and no more Ethans. Got it, Emily!

On our way to work, my husband takes Emily to daycare.  He goes one way on interstate ,and I go the other way. Just before the entrance ramps we drive side by side; he rolls the window down, and Emily and I wave one last time.  My husband called me at work to tell me that this morning after our ritual, Emily said, "bye, bye, Mommy," then she paused and said "I love my mommy."  What a sweetie…I smiled all day long.  I love my Emily!! 

Oh my goodness, its been a long time.  We survived Mexico and actually had a little fun.  Emily did okay, but she did miss us.  It took two weeks for her to recover from separation anxiety so I wouldn’t do it again at that age. 

Since then, Emily has been busy growing and learning.  We went to California with her this past Memorial Day weekend.  She did great.  She was good on the plane and at my sister’s  place.  We went to an animal park and she wanted to look at the ducks – seriously we could’ve driven a half hour or so for that. Oh well.  I will post pictures soon of the trip.  No, really.

I choked back tears all the way to work this morning.  Tomorrow we leave for Mexico for five days without Emily.  Tonight I have my grad class so she’ll be asleep when I get home, and we’ll leave before she wakes up.  This morning my husband let me hold her to the point of him almost being late.  It was really rough.  I know she’ll be fine and will have fun at daycare during the week and at auntie and uncle’s this weekend, but it’s still really hard.  My husband asked if I would need a sedative and I said yes, tequilla.  I guess I’d better bring the Advil too!  I’m starting to cry so I’m going to stop writing.  We’ll have fun, right?