All Things New

Over the past month pretty much everything in our lives has been new. New job, new state, new house (well, apartment really), new therapists, new roads, new grocery stores, new playgrounds, new friends. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. New is sometimes scary and a little overwhelming, but it can also be refreshing and exciting.

In the first few pictures Ethan is riding his new horse, Captain (which is funny because one of the horses he used to ride was named Captain) with his new therapist, Ellen (whom he loves already). Before we even decided to make the move we did a little research to make sure there was a hippotherapy place nearby and we found one about 40 minutes away (http://www.shininghopefarms.org/). Then, a few weeks after we got here they opened a second location in Charlotte -- only 25 minutes from our place!

Riding backwards

Doing a puzzle

Playing the ring game

Ethan and Mommy in front of our new apartment

Ethan's new shopping partner -- his cousin, Cara

We've already gone to one indoor and two outdoor playgrounds since we've been here and plan to search out many more!

Visit with Aunt Jenny!

Aunt Jenny (Tim's sister) and her boyfriend, Kevin, came for a visit this weekend - we are really taking advantage of and enjoying this "living closer to family" thing. Ethan loved playing with his Aunt "NiNee" (He's getting better at copying sounds, so Jenny worked with him to say her name, which ended up sounding like "NiNee"). We went to IKEA so Jenny could get some cool stuff for her new apartment, tried out a new Thai restaurant near Tim's office and Jenny gave me a WONDERFUL massage as a homework assignment. Jenny just started massage therapy school and I offered to let her practice on me -- you know, I'm always willing to make sacrifices for family. Thanks for making the trip, Jenny & Kevin! We look forward to another visit very soon!

Visit from Grandma and Grandpa

Since we had a little bit of a crazy Christmas, we weren't able to make it to Raleigh to see Tim's parents for the holidays. So, Grandpa Veeck and Grandma Sink came for a visit and we celebrated Christmas here in Fort Mill this weekend! Tim's dad made his wonderful rouladen (a German dish) with mashed potatoes and cabbage for Christmas dinner. So delicious! It was a nice little visit...one we look forward to doing again now that we're a lot closer.

Ethan getting ready to open presents

Playing the glasses ON/OFF game with Grandpa

Playing with his new Cookie Monster - Thank you Grandpa!

Giving Grandma lots of hugs

"Jumping" on his new trampoline - Thank you Grandma!

Almost falling off his new trampoline

Going for a walk to show off his new walking skills

For the Birds

My mom (who always thinks of creative, fun and messy crafts) decided we should re purpose our Christmas tree this year as a bird feeder by making pine cone and gumball birdseed ornaments. Ethan really enjoyed the whole project and did amazingly well with all the different textures. Here are more than a few pictures of this fun little craft...

Ethan giving Pop the pine cones to cover with peanut butter

And tangling up (I mean, untangling) the string

Playing in the birdseed (a skill he learned at VIPS this year)

The assembly line - Nana with the string, Pop with the peanut butter and Ethan with the seed

He's serious about his job

Yes, that is birdseed on his nose. He's had a cold this week and kept rubbing his nose with the peanut butter and birdseed hands

My job (besides taking pictures, of course) was to take the ornaments from Ethan and hang them on the tree. Side note: One of his newest skills is giving things to us when he's done instead of just throwing them. I still get all excited inside when he does this because we've worked so hard to get past the throwing - and it means he is able to motor plan and wants to involve other people.

The finished products

Ethan's other little project last week was building his first snowman!

Facial Expressions of a Walker

Ethan got a big boy walker about two months ago and really loves practicing his walking - especially outside! He still can't steer himself and tends to veer to the right, but is doing really well and we LOVE the freedom it gives him. As you can see, he is very expressive while walking around - these are just a few of the faces I captured yesterday while he was walking around outside in his pajamas. I also just uploaded a video of him walking on facebook. Enjoy!