Ethan makes us laugh so hard now because he does this fake cry thing. We have no idea where it came from but a couple of months ago, we were in a restaurant and Ethan was being impossible, as he usually is in restaurants. After I had taken away basically everything in his reach (utensils, glasses, salt and pepper shakers etc.) he put his head in his hands on the table and wept. I am not joking, it was this weird fake weeping but he was obviously upset. We thought it was pretty funny but he never really did it again. Then in the past couple of weeks, he's been making fake crying sounds and then he did it right in front of me after I had probably told him no or taken something away, When I looked at him, he stopped the fake crying and smiled at me. It just amazes me that he makes the face and the noise, just that he is pretending makes me laugh. Anyway, now he knows when we say "fake cry" and even though we probably shouldn't encourage it, it is just too darn funny and I had to get it on video. He is definitely a good actor already.

This is Ethan's smile when we say "smile". He just started that all of a sudden. It was pretty funny. It's like one minute they understand something and you had no idea.

Ethan is not happy unless he is outside I have discovered. Well, there are a couple of things he likes to do inside like play with the remote controls and telephone and chuck things down the stairs (like a whole basket full of laundry, the garbage can, shoe boxes etc). Basically if he enjoys doing it, we have to take it away. He just doesn't dig all those toys we bought him. And lately he's just been really whiny. So these days we just sit outside and he walks around looking at stuff. He never complains when we are outside. He likes to play in the dirt of course, and watch the cars go by in the street. If he hears an airplane or helicopter he points to the sky and yells.
He really is getting smarter every day and he understands so much. In english and spanish. He still hasn't really said anything yet but he is still constantly blabbing away about something. Sometimes I can figure it out by what he points to and other times I have no idea. I can't wait to find out what's running through that little head of his when he's talking away....

Ethan with his Great Grandma Abuelita Christina. She is Moises's Father's Mother.

Mario, Fannia, Ethan and Tio Alberto in Tela.

Another cute one with Tia Fannia in December 2005.

Ethan with Lirio. December 2005. She took care of him from when he was two months until we left Honduras in July 2005.

Ethan loved the bears.

Uncle Gabe doing a Polar Bear call

Ethan and Aunt Nora

at the Bronx Zoo, april 14. With Aunt Leah, Aunt Nora and Julian.

Ethan playing at the Kensico Dam.

Here's the best one we could get.

We couldn't get one good picture of the three cousins (Ethan, Fiona and Julian). Ethan was tired and Fiona said Jules was stealing her eggs.

Keep looking Ethan! He had just woken up from a nap and so he was not smiling like he usually does.

Ethan and Julian (almost 6 years old) during the Easter egg hunt.

Easter weekend. Hunting for eggs.

Ethan wearing Papi's cowboy boots.

with Tia Fannia. She calls him sweetie pie.

Ethan and his brother Mario JeanKarlo. Tegucigalpa, Honduras, December 2005

Ethan swiped my vanilla bean frappaccino!

Ethan is almost 18 months old now and I can't believe how much time has gone by so quickly. He is so smart and understands so much. He doesn't say much in English or Spanish right now but he goes on and on in his own little Ethan-speak. He'll just look at someone or something and start blabbing away intensely. We always wonder what he's saying and we can't wait till he starts talking for real. He does say ball sort of. And bird, they are kind of the same "bah" sound. He says mommy and papi although not much to us. But he can say the words. Well, life is exciting anyway with him. He never stops!! Someone asked me if he would watch a half hour show but nope, he's not interested. I guess that's a good thing although sometimes I think it would be nice to have a half hour break. He definitely keeps us busy!
We are so blessed to have such a sweet boy. He is the best hugger and kisser and is so friendly to everyone. He can be a little shy at first but once he warms up, watch out. When we go out, he is usually waving and saying "hi" to everyone around him, just greeting them as we walk in. If someone says hi back, he'll keep saying hi over and over, it can go on forever. He makes us smile and laugh so often.
Grandma and Grandpa and his aunts and uncles love him too and have fun playing with him.
Ethan is a great helper. He has so much energy and can be naughty but really he is just exploring. So to get his attention, just make him your helper. He loves to clean using a broom or vacuum. Once day he just came strolling inside the house and without even takig off his coat, and with no one really watching, he turned on the vacuum and started cleaning. I heard the noise and went into the kitchen, and there he was, moving the hose back and forth, just doin' some chores. He cracks me up.

Look! A bird! Ethan can almost say "bird".

Papi and Ethan looking at the water and the birds.
March 2006

Ethan getting a ride on Papi's shoulders. It only lasted a couple of minutes though as now Ethan loves to run. It's hard to catch him!

Moises by the beach

Our walk at the Playland boardwalk. It was such a beautiful day. Spring is finally here!