Bacon!

We found out Thursday that Ethan's lab work came back normal and he can now eat bacon!!! Sparingly, mind you, but still! Bacon! And to celebrate, we made BLT's (Cameron-BT, Timmy BL)!!! Ethan loved it! We are very excited!!!

Ethan's New Bed...

Where has the time gone????

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

CHRISTMAS!!!

Finally. Christmas shopping is completed and gifts are wrapped.

I finally decided to hang the stockings on the fireplace, instead of the bookshelves!

Noah got out of school at 10:00 this morning! Yay! Here he is working on his 2010 calendar project.

And this little boogar has a sinus infection. He is sleeping well, though!
Timmy and I both took off work yesterday to take Ethan to his LeBonheur clinic yesterday morning. We met with the specialist and nutritionist to go over Ethan's enzyme tests from the lab in Sacramento. The normal range for enzyme activity is > or = to 31. Ethan's level is 0.3. This confirms his diagnosis of 3mcc. All this means is that we continue to monitor his lab values every 3-4 months. Since he has never had any symptoms of the disorder, we are discussing possibly adding bacon to his diet! We will find out after his lab results from yesterday come back. Also, he now weighs 29 pounds! That puts him in the 50th% for his weight-which is GREAT news!!!

Hope everyone is getting ready for a very merry Christmas! We sure are!!!!

Birthday Part(ies) Extravaganza!

Ethan had a great 2nd birthday! He opened gifts...

At Poppa and Nannas:

And at home:
I swear, my face is twice her size! Geez! I think Ethan's face here is so funnny...he is watching his brother act silly! Here Ethan is postioning his candle right where he wants it!Silly brothers! Getting ready to blow out his candle; Birthday cake shot: Birthday tradition: measuring!!

Here is a comparison between the boys when they both turned 2! 3 inches difference! Both tall boys!

Happy Birthday Ethan Samuel!

Happy birthday, Ethan! Fun parties await you tomorrow and Sunday! Thanks for another year full of laughter, boo boos and kisses! We love you!!!!!

This One is for You, Nanna!

Yeah. Mommy and Nanna's favorite pose. I am so proud.

Cowboy Up

Ethan has been trying very hard to mount and ride his horse. However, his horse was not helping and finally laid down on him.


Ethan was not happy when his horse gave up...
He decided to try again and finally got on...
backwards.

One Year Specialist News for Ethan

Today Ethan had 2 scheduled dr. appointments. The first was at 10:30 with his specialist from LeBonheur and the 2nd was with his pediatrician at 1:10 for his one-year check-up and flu shot. Timmy has been off work so much this month with his kidney stone that he did not go today. The next best thing??? The Nanna. Poppa/The Judge is out-of-town this week, so Nanna came from KY to go with us to both appointments. It is a good thing...we waited for over 3 hours for our 20 minute appointment with the specialist and nutitionist. I had to change his pediatrician appt. to Friday, as we did not leave until 2:10! But, all that waiting paid off with some GREAT news! Ethan's blood work has been normal at each check up. So, we were told after his last appt. that we no longer had to measure his regular food. As long as he did not drink milk, and eat meat and eggs, he could eat as much as he wants. Well, depending on his labwork from today, our nutritionist told us that we might be possibly taking him completely off his medical formula and after more tests, depending on the severity of his organic disorder, they may completely lift his food restriction/diet, as well! That is an answered prayer! We just prayed that he would be healthy and we would be easily adjusted to his diet and food measurements...I never thought they would completely lift his food restriction! So, please pray that everything continues to go well for Ethan! We have been so blessed with both of our boys and continue to be prayerful that they both lead healthy lives.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY, ETHAN!

I cannot believe I am typing these words..."Happy 1st Birthday, Ethan!" Has it been a year already? This celebration is bittersweet...I am happy for your first year of life, yet sad for a year closer to you being grown. After reading a post on a good friend's blog this morning, I cannot help but reflect on my own feelings of my children growing up. I have had a difficult time with Noah going to preschool because I constantly wonder about the influence others are having on my child...as well as the influence he has on others. What is he doing...what is he saying...what is he being taught...are the children and teachers being nice to him...is he being nice to the children and teachers? I think of these things constantly and even have his schedule posted next to my computer screen, so I can know hour-by-hour what my child is doing. I worry about the things I know both Noah and Ethan are going to have to go through as they grow up and it absolutely positively terrifies me! So, yes, I am glad Ethan has turned 1, but I am also sad that this year has flown by so quickly. My infant has turned in to a toddler...walking more than he is crawling. Following his big brother everywhere. It melts my heart to see the look on Ethan's face and the GLEE he shows by thrusting his whole body towards Noah first thing in the morning, and then after both naps. The bond these two have already amazes me. The fact that they play with each other and have fun amazes me. The phrase "monkey see, monkey do" comes to mind every time Noah hollers his high pitched squeal just to hear Ethan follow 2 seconds later with a high pitched squeal of his own...followed by a fit of giggles...and over and over they go! I love it.

So...happy birthday Ethan! I love you so much!

What About Ethan?

Ethan actually chills out in his jumparoo while we play outside. He is usually very relaxed! His first tooth came through last week and he chews on everything! He especially loves our shoes! Totally gross, I know!



Here Ethan is chewing on Noah's shovel. Yes, I cleaned it first....
He is checking Noah out in the swimming pool...
I love how he sticks his tongue out all of the time! That is cute for the first year, you know!?
He is always laughing! He started eating sweet potatoes, green peas and he really loves his oatmeal and cereal with bananas! Can you believe he is almost 8 months? I cannot!!!!!

Look What I Can Do! (Ethan)

BEFORE:

^^I thought I had a cute picture to go here, but apparently, I do not. However, you get my point...just picture Ethan lying on his stomach^^

AFTER:

Yep, he is rolling over, front to back!

3 1/2 MONTHS AGO:

PRESENT:

(I can't believe it, either)!

Ethan is Trying to Sit Up!

Check out this video I took the other day of Ethan trying to sit up! Listen to his cute giggle!

Ethan Kisses

Ethan has started giving kisses! They are open mouth and slobbery, but we believe the more slober, the better!

Ethan

Ethan has grown even more! He weighed over 14 1/2 pounds and was 24 inches long at his check up last Friday. He loves his pacifier and his mommy! His favorite thing right now is watching his big brother. That is very exciting! We are really working on getting him to roll over...as soon as it happens (Timmy promises he saw him do it in his crib...I 'think' I saw it on his monitor, but now I am not so sure) I will video and post. Ethan is the happiest baby! He reminds me so much of Noah, and yet his is so different! He sleeps very well and is now eating almost 7 oz. per bottle. We have been blessed with friends who are able to give us free formula! That is wonderful! I plan on going completely to formula at the end of February. Timmy and I will be going on a reunion trip to Atlanta to meet up with several of our friends from college. I cannot wait. However, it will be the first time Ethan will be spending the night (2 to be exact) away from home and I am not looking forward to that at all! I know Nanna and Poppa are excited! Enjoy the pics!

Ethan Samuel Burks

HE'S FINALLY HERE!!!!!!

Ethan Samuel Burks arrived on Otober 2nd at 9:35 a.m. He is so adorable! Currently, he only sleeps and eats, but his big brother Noah has enough energy for both of them, plus mommy and daddy! We are all doing great! Enjoy the pics...I will post more later! Love, Cameron