Another Ethan first: He discovered his toes.

Ethan found another form of built-in entertainment. Employing his youthful elasticity, he’s been enjoying the goodness of toe sucking, especially during diaper changing time.

Another Ethan first: He tossed all his bunnies out of his crib.

Over the last week or so, we’ve found stuffed rabbits on the floor in the morning, but the last couple nights, Ethan has been more systematic. Blanky-Bye Bun, Lulla Bunny-Bye, Big Blanky Bun are all getting thrown overboard—multiple times if they are brave enough to rejoin their flight instructor in the crib.

Another Ethan first: He stepped laterally.

Beth calls it cruising. Whatever it’s called, now when he stands up against something, he steps left or right to wherever he wants to go.

Another Ethan first: He crawled up a step stool.

We have a small step stool in the bedroom. Ethan learned how to crawl up it, getting both his feet off the floor for the first time.

Another Ethan first: He rocked a rocking chair.

Ethan discovered how to rock a rocking chair, even though he’s still too little to get up onto it.

Another Ethan first: He toppled a tower of blocks.

We bought Ethan some blocks about a week ago and decided he couldn’t wait until Christmas. Right away, he discovered the joy of entropy.

Another Ethan first: He crawled on hands and feet (no knees).

Today Ethan discovered a much faster—and more entertaining—mode of transportation.

Another Ethan first: He stood up to greet us.

This morning when we went to get Ethan from the crib, we found him standing at the edge waiting for us. It turned out to be just the beginning. This afternoon, he was playing in the living room and discovered how to pull himself up on the lower shelf of an end table. Then this evening, he wanted to see better what was on his activity center, so up he stood to get a good look.

Another Ethan first: He made Julius meow.

A few days ago, Ethan got a good enough grip on Julius that we heard his first complaint on the matter. There is no photo of the actual event, but this shot, which came afterward, conveys the idea.

Another Ethan first: He grabbed my glasses.

He probably would have taken them off my head if I’d let him. He put a quality thumb smudge on the left lens. Ethan has been getting hold of Mommy’s accessories for a while; today, it was finally Daddy’s turn.

Another Ethan first: He sat up.

Another Ethan first: He crawled.

Another Ethan first: He played peek-a-boo.

Another Ethan first: He held his bottle.

Another Ethan first: He giggled.

Another Ethan first: He spoke in seal.

Daddy asked, “Can you talk like a seal? Orr. Orr.” He said, “Orr.”

Another Ethan first: He smiled.

Another Ethan first: He slept through the night.

This, as it turned out, was to be a one-night occurrence. However, it would be only another 17 days until he repeated the feat regularly.

Another Ethan first: He rolled over.

He can only go one way: from his belly to his back.

Another Ethan first: He pushed his bottle away with both hands.

He showed his first strong, coordinated display of will power.

An Ethan first: He took a breath.