Ethan at Grandpa and Grandma's

In some ways, I would have to say Ethan’s greatest triumph while in Indiana was, in one word, survival.

Turning 17 months while we were there, I often remind myself that at his age Emry was not even walking. This little guy, of course, is walking, climbing, running, jumping and attempting to just about anything his sister and older cousin can do. Somehow that equals ten times more falls, bumps and bruises as Emry and Beto put together.

Petting the goats at the zoo – he wandered around and gave every one of them a pat!

First, Lily the cat scratched him. Granted, she was only defending herself from being pestered and patted half to death. He had to go in search for her every time he came up the steps. Second, he is 17 months old and that equals a lot of teething. I thought it was just his bottom right incisor but one day I had him in my lap and he threw his head back laughing. That’s when I saw the real culprit of all the fussing and waking up at night: a molar. Thirdly, he learned to climb up the ladder and slip down the slide himself. That did not cause any serious injury – not like simply walking will do. For the biggest injury of all came when he tripped over his own two feet, stumbled into a plastic jar my mother keeps for spare change on her bathroom floor, hit his mouth and got his first busted lip – and it was a doozy! Blood everywhere, swollen and scabbed over for days. At least he got a lot of popsicles out the deal. And if all that wasn’t enough, drowning seemed like a good way to go. The idea that one cannot simply keep walking into the pool as the water comes up to one’s chin…and then mouth…and then – well, why can’t one keep walking?!?! Or jumping into it. Or simply tumbling under it. It’s a good thing there were many sets of eyes and hands to keep him upright!

Pool time!!!

Injuries aside, though, Ethan had tons of fun and discovered all kinds of new things such as Cheetos:

Juice boxes:

And bubble mowers:

He also met my brother Daniel for the first time. And, like Emry, loved him!

Unc and Ethan.

Ethan had fun simply roaming about, following the dogs, trying to keep up with Emry and Beto (not always a good idea) and generally just enjoying his young life despite the bumps, bruises and new teeth. Which is, I guess, is what one does at 17 months old.

My little man.