Perhaps it is not coincidental that after the previous post Ethan got sick then I got sick.  Little Patient Zero had a stomach bug, so all three boys hung out at home on Friday.  Then, on Saturday we went sledding, Ethan seemed better and I was not yet keeled over.  That night, however, Ethan's bug crawled into my stomach and sent me kneeling.  Also, because of the sledding and convulsing I kinda, sorta, threw out my back.  Ugh.  Sunday was a rest and recuperate day, with me hoping that neither Bianca or Isaac got sick.  Sunday night came news that we were getting a blizzard, because, you know, that's what you need.  Then, on Monday, we had a crazy morning.  I had to be in Concord, NH at 9 for a hearing and Bianca had class.  Ethan, having refused all food but breast milk, woke up Sunday night into Monday three times and then the school called at 5 to let us know that Isaac's school was cancelled.  Man, have we been getting it.

But in all of this, our I-man, our soldier and super guy, has been patience personified.  He has been good with his brother, merciful on Bianca, and kind to me.  It is really heartening to know that even at five he is deeply sensitive to the need and feelings of others. 

More later...

There is a point of convergence of three different skills that, when taken together, result in something that is both adorable and disgusting at the same time.  Frankly, given the evolutionary importance of bonding, it's a miracle we, as a species, ever made it.  

Ethan is drooling like a madman (he has finally gotten a top tooth to poke through), he is eating like a piggy, and he is learning to give kisses.  The end result is a big sloppy mess.  If he wasn't my kid, it would be repulsive, something like kissing the garbage disposal.  But he is my kid and so...well you get the idea.

Here is how it happened.  Sunday morning Ethan woke up in a seriously bad mood.  We had pancakes and Ethan had some baby food (Question: why the weird combinations of things in baby food?  Like kale, pineapple, potato...).  He cried, howled really, through breakfast and Bianca and I took turns walking him around the house.  When it was my turn I took him to my office and stood him on the window sill.  This was one of Isaac's favorite spots, so I assumed it would be a good spot for Ethan.  And it was.

Slowly over about fifteen minutes he calmed down and began chatting.  We stared out the window as a squirrel sprang by.  We watched as a bird flew into the backyard, landed on the patio and took off again.  He was fascinated.  Then, wanting see how he would respond, I asked for an Ethan kiss.  In all I got about ten.  He would lean over, open his mouth, and cover my mouth.  Drool and food were everywhere, but it was precious.  

Later in the day he had mastered the pucker and showed off his kissing for his grandparents who watched over Skype.  It's amazing to watch kids at this age.  They learn a new trick every hour or so.  Smooch, smooch.

We were hoping it would happen when Nanna and P-Pa were here for Christmas, but alas, Ethan decided to hold his big trick for just after the New Year.  It was painful to watch him over the past few weeks, he seemed so frustrated by his sedentary lifestyle.  It seemed like the entire world was out of his reach.  And then, with a flip of his leg, he finally got int the crawling position and it has been trouble ever since. 


Combine this with his pull to stand ability and Ethan is into everything.  Last night we were cleaning up dinner only to find out that Ethan had taken all of the dry veggies out of the baskets under the island.  They were everywhere.