Papstick and Pupcakes

In December Ethanael had the need and opportunity to use chapstick and to eat cupcakes. The title of this post shows how he referred to them. Another new phrase that we hear from him is "I can't like it." Usually used with regard to food that he doesn't want to try though he's most likely eaten it before, or at least all the ingredients in a different arrangement.

Trains are Ethanael's newest fascination. He discovered Thomas and Friends through a library video and was quickly a huge fan. He received his favorite engine, Percy for Christmas. He's also a fan of Gordon, James and of course Thomas. He spent the entire time we shared with Kelly, Josh and Luke Cairo in Holland playing with Josh's Thomas and James trains. He's watching a new sing-a-long Thomas DVD narrated by Pierce Brosnan as I write. He's also enjoying putting together his geotrax train set. I like to play with it too which is nice.

We got a dog just before Thanksgiving. He was a stray that I found near I-94 on my way to church. Rufus (named by Michael) is a yorkshire terrier that is about 3 years old. He is house trained and is a nice lapdog. He had done a good job getting used to the children and is beginning to play a bit more. Ethanael loves dogs and is happy to have one on site.

Jack just finished his first full serving of a baby food. He's had bites of rice cereal before, but hasn't really taken to the spoon yet and hasn't been opening his mouth for cereal. I let him suck on some sweet potato from my plate tonight and then to my surprise he eagerly lapped up the cup of them that I had waiting in the cupboard.

Poor little Jack is a touch more restless lately. I think he's getting bored with being stationary, but he's not quite sitting yet, let alone crawling. He does like to roll though and to stand. I'm a bit disappointed that this crankiness is aligning itself with the coming month and a half of packing and painting that's ahead of me. We close on our first home this Friday, January 23rd. It is at 23128 Brookdale, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082.

Ethanael with a play dough mustache.


There was a little phase where this was the most hilarious thing to do. The insides of Ethanael's ears were red, green, yellow, etc. for a couple weeks. The next Steve Martin?
Jack with uncle Jeff on his first Thanksgiving. They look a lot alike to those of us acquainted with Jeff's baby pictures. Do you see it?


Jack with Daddy on his first Christmas Eve.

Ethanael mastered playing papa Wittstock's horn over the 2008 Christmas Season.

Rufus in his Christmas bomber jacket.