So I (Emily) never thought I would do one of these things because I can never think of what to say in things like this, but my brother-in-law just started one and Shaun thinks maybe mine will be as good as his. Although I don't agree, I thought I'd give it a try. I guess for this first post I will just say what's going on in our lives right now. I am just trying to get used to the stress of having a 2-year-old and a newborn. It isn't easy, but it is definitely worth it. Ethan just took his first trip (with Mommy, Daddy, Spencer, and Grandma Dibb) to Lagoon last week. Of course, his favorite part was the train and he didn't want to get off. He and Daddy also went on their first camping trip this weekend (in Provo Canyon), and Shaun decided after getting only a few hours of sleep that it will be a while before they try that again. Ethan did love running around in the great outdoors and building a fire with Daddy, but was extremely tired when he got home. Spencer was blessed on the 19th. Shaun blessed him at Mom and Dad Dibb's house with just family there and it was nice. Spencer is getting to be a fun baby now that he has smiles and coos to offer. He's a little fatty and we just love him. Although Ethan does like to pick on him, we're sure he loves him too. Shaun just found out today that his is not one of the top 15 commercials submitted to Heinz for a chance to win $57,000. That was a bummer, but all of us who love him know he surely deserved a spot. He does have another movie that he is working hard on right now, so that is keeping him busy and motivated. All four (wow, really, four!?!) of us are moving in with Grandma and Grandpa Dibb this weekend, and, although it's not the most ideal of circumstances, we greatly appreciate them and are excited to be able to spend more time with them.
So Shaun and I (like most other parents) have decided that our little Ethan is a genius. My sisters and mom can vouch for the fact that I love to brag about all of the intelligent things he can do. It all started when we realized that he has a special talent for and interest in computers. We think he gets this from his Daddy. When he was about 18 months old he started to play on the computer. At first we thought it was really just playing, but we soon noticed that he was able to point and click on very small buttons. He also liked to change settings and create his very own new folders on the desktop. Now I don't know about anyone else, but I think that kind of hand-eye coordination can be difficult for even some adults to master. It took a while, but I finally decided to let him play some computer games on the internet. They are made for toddlers, but I was amazed at how quickly he mastered the Care Bears matching game (it has the same rules as "Memory") he plays on their website. He has actually become bored of that one I think. His other two favorite games are alphabet games. As a result of playing those games he can recognize all of his letters and knows that E is for Ethan. Ethan is also able to recognize and name all of the basic shapes and is learning his numbers and colors. Of course there are other things that show his intelligence like all of the new words he uses everyday, his ability to draw, and all of the ASL signs he has known for some time now. We are kind of hoping that he will be eager to teach his little brother all of the things he knows so that we can think we have a prodigy when Spencer is two. It has become obvious to me that if it weren't for computers our bright little buddy may not be so bright, so I am thankful for the advancements in technology that have been made possible by people like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Now if only the computer could teach Ethan how to use his potty...
