I have decided to take some time to highlight ME separately because as they have gotten older their personalities have begun to emerge. We knew from the beginning that The Great had a larger than life personality and we haven't been disappointed with Madelyn and Ethan. On Tuesday morning at around 4:15 am The Guardian decided to wake up and stay awake for about an hour. During that time we learned a lot about each other and we were thoroughly entertained.
Ethan, Big "E", booba, The Guardian, juggernaut, complexion confused, and little big boo are all names that we affectionately call our sweet little boy. Ethan came into the world very light skin and for the record myself and his dad are very brown. One day we woke up and he had doubled in size. Again his dad and I are "smaller" individuals, I dare not use the word skinny because out of the blue some extra pounds magically appeared on our frames. In short, Ethan is already his own little person. In the beginning weren't quite sure who he favored but as time goes on he looks just like The Great. He loves to laugh, attacks any toy that comes in his direction and will head butt you to show affection.
There are two things that are not up for negotiation or compromise for him and that is milk and sleep. Ethan loves to eat and he sleeps harder than any human being I know! So whenever he cries or gets agitated it's one of those two things. Therefore, on Tuesday morning when I heard him stirring I knew it was feeding time. When I walk in the room he is propped up in his elbows and rocking his head from side to side. I gently roll him over and he gives me his signature wide eyed stare as if to say "I know you heard me calling you 4 minutes ago". As I pick him up I notice that he is soaking wet. I think to myself....these diapers lied...I should still have four more hours of dryness. Oh well I take off his pajamas and put on a new diaper. I dare not put on another pair of pajamas because by this time his hunger watch cries had turned into a hunger warning cry. I needed to feed him quick, fast and in a hurry or we were about to experience a major meltdown. Whew, crisis averted and The Guardian was a happy camper. I put him over my shoulder to burp him and instead of lying his head down he stiffens up and starts to look around the room. Oh brother here we go.....
I gently whisper " ok boo boo let's burp you so you can go back to sleep". He bobs his head and says "Sleep"!? "Lady, don't you know that it's party time".
"Come on baby, mommy is tired and wants to go back to sleep".
"Ok, just lay me down on the pillow between you and daddy and I will drift off".
Ethan starts to lean back and I gently lay him on the pillow and give him his blanket. It's usually lights out when he begins to suck on his baby blanket. All I have to do is patiently wait.....and wait.....and wait.... I start to drift off when all of sudden I hear a grunt and see that Ethan has rolled over to his stomach.
"Ethan"!
"Yes.......I couldn't help it. I heard daddy snoring and I decided I wanted to get closer to see if he was drooling as well".
"Come on let's get back on the pillow, it's bedtime".
"Ok, ok I'm ready to go to sleep now".
I put him back on the pillow and before I can get settled he has rolled back onto his stomach. This time he maneuvered his little body so that his head is in the husbands chest and his feet are in my neck. At this point I give up and just let him squirm and roll. I guess learning a new skill trumps going to sleep. I decided to sit up and just watch him kick his little feet into the sheets versus my neck.
"Ethan what are you doing"?
"I'm trying to get daddy's attention. Maybe if I roll onto my back I can reach out and grab his beard".
"No don't grab his beard, let him sleep".
He let's out a small grunt and slowly rolls onto his back with a huge grin plastered on his face.
"Good job boo boo"!
"I'm a pro and now it's time for me to show you want else I can do"!
At this point he has rolled into the pillow but that doesn't stop in from trying to roll from his back to his tummy.
"Uh...uh. I'm stuck"!
"Well Ethan you might be big and strong but you can't move that pillow".
"Oh well I guess I will have to chew on the blanket".
I pick him up and lie him down on the pillow along with his blanket. Oftentimes this is the universal signal that he's calming down. All I had to do was wait on the big yawn..... After waiting for 15 minutes and watching him chew his blanket I knew he had gotten his second wind.
"So ma is this what table food tastes like"?
I roll my eyes and say, "what do you know about table food"?
"I hear the older babies talk about it. I know it must be good because you and dad eat a lot of it...all the time".
"Watch it sir".
"I'm just saying".
"Anyway in about two months you and sister will be able to experience a form of table food".
At this point he begins to yawn. "Well good because the boobie milk is good but I get hungry two hours later", he says while rubbing his eyes.
"Trust me I know. Come on baby let's go to sleep".
I pick him up, put him over my shoulder and drape the blanket over his back. Thank goodness he doesn't fight and gently rests his head on my shoulder. I start rocking him to sleep and I can tell that he is drifting off.
"What's that" he exclaims and suddenly lifts his head up from my shoulder.
"What's what"?
"I thought I heard Madelyn waking up. If so I want to play with sister".
"Nope it's just me and you that are awake".
"Well I guess I will go to sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow".
I just look at him and say "so do I".
About two hours later my alarm clock goes and he's still in my arms knocked out. I go to the nursery and put him down in the crib.
As soon as I shut the door I hear him grunt and when I check the monitor he is lying on his back. I think he's gearing up for round two.....I can't wait to hear the topic of discussion.
Actual photo from Tuesday morning: Ethan and his blanket. "Yes, may I help you"?