Welcome back!

Okay, so it's been awhile.  But, in my defense, it seems like a lot longer to me than it does to you.  We have had some kind of "phase" with Ethan.  And Lord only knows if it is over or on hiatus or what.  We actually moved his crib into our room to try and get him to sleep so we could sleep.  Last night was a good night.  He slept.  But there was still that feeling all night that it was NOT going to be a good night.  So I still did not sleep well.  It would take many a night like last night (in a row) for me to relax enough to fall into a deep sleep.  It will come.  I assume.  He is getting more precocious by the day.  Running and dancing and demanding and pouting.  He definitely has a mind of his own.  And he knows what he wants.  He tests me. "no no Ethan" *grin*giggle* repeats the action. "NO NO ETHAN" *whine* repeats again." I SAID NO NO ETHAN" *loud wail* followed by him finding something else to do that starts the whole process over again. We repeat this several (dozen) times a day.  And the kid is OBSESSED with the outdoors. He walks over to every door in the house at least 3 times an hour and bangs on it. "let me out" he says with his eyes.  I take him on walks.  And to the park.  And to see Dada and Grandpa.  Anything to get him outside. But it is getting cold lately.  And he refuses to keep his hat on.  I will add that to my checklist of things to work on with him.  Unfortunately it is about number 123 on said list.  With Winter coming I may need to bump it up to 3 or 4.  Right after getting him to sleep at night, getting him to eat at all, and teaching him his multiplication tables.  Okay, so number three is just a joke. . .kind of.  I have a better chance of him reciting them than I do of getting him to eat or sleep, so I figure I will keep it on the list.  He may be tired and hungry, but he sure does not slow down to do either of the things that would remedy it.  Always running or sucking on a bottle.  Or running AND sucking on a bottle.  This stinking bottle debacle will be the end of me.  And then there is me locking him the car at the gas station today. . .but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  I have a mid term coming up.  And I need to study before Ethan wakes up tonight. . .ahhh maybe he will sleep until morning. Oops,just jinxed it!