Sunrise in Las Vegas

Jason and I spent last weekend in Las Vegas - it was a Christmas, Jason's birthday, Anniversary trip - and we had a blast. I had not been to Vegas in a few years - so it was nice to see what was "new".

Ethan wanted to go in Jason's Bag

Day 1.....

We got in Thursday night, got checked into our hotel (The Monte Carlo) and had a bit of time to kill before meeting his dad and step-mom for dinner. So, we went to the Coke store, the M & M store and the "Millenium Mall" - under Planet Hollywood. After killing a couple of hours (and loosing some money at BlackJack) - we had a great dinner with Sue and Larry! Since we had been up early that day - we hit the hay early as well. I told Jason if we went to bed that early again (before 11) that they would kick us out of Vegas ;0)

                                                      Jason and his birthday drink - Gingerbread Cookie Martini

Day 2...

Friday morning we got up and just hung out untill it was time to head to the Tropicana. We went to a taping of "Lets Make a Deal" - oh yes - it is back, hosted by Wayne Brady, and films at the Tropicana!! Since we don't make it to LA or NY much (where most shows are filmed) - we figured this would be a fun, new thing to do in Vegas! It was a blast!! Sadly, we did not get chosen to make a deal with Wayne - but we will be on TV for both of the episodes we taped...I will let you all know when they will air once we know! Look for the farmer in the big hat....and her chicken. Sadly - no pictures to post because we had to leave them in the hotel room - and Jason was not keen on getting back into the chicken!!! If you are in Vegas and have a day to spare - it was a lot of fun...a lot of sitting, waiting and sitting - but a fun thing to do - and hey - you might get picked!! I did find it funny that you had to go through more security for the taping then at the airport ;0) After our day of filming, we grabbed dinner and went out to the new hotel - The M....it is really pretty - but about 15 miles south of the strip! Jason had some luck with BlackJack there - and I won $5 plaing craps!!

Day 3...

We walked over to the new Aria hotel at City Center and walked around - it is really beautiful and modern! We ate at the pastry shop there - yummy- and then spent a little time looking at City Center - lots of great art...and thier own fire station!

"Boat" art by the Aria

Fire Station under walkway to Aria

I needed to check into my online class - and instead of paying $20 at the hotel to get onto my laptop...we went to Jason's dad's office and hung out for a bit. Then, we hit the outlet mall - oh yes there is one in Vegas!! After lunch and shopping - we went to the Wynn, Venition and the new Palazzo. All very nice - and we love to just walk around on the strip and people watch! We also went to the "Bodies" exhibit wich is at the Luxor. If you get the chance check in out in Vegas or the traveling exhibit. Very Cool!

In front of the lake at the Wynn

In the Bellagio Garden

Day 4.....

Sadly, time to hit the road for the LONG drive home. I swear the ride home from Vegas always seems longer than the drive there!

However, I was very glad to get home to my little monkey. Ethan spent the weekend with my folks and had a great time, I am told. They played lots, went potty on the potty chair, went to Costco and Ethan "helped" Tutu around the house also!! We are so lucky to have such great babysitters so close!!! And...so willing! I am sure Tutu slept good Sunday night!!!

Oh yes, why did I call this Sunrise in Vegas.....because 2 out of 3 mornings there...we saw the sunrise over the strip! And no...not because we were still up from the night before. Because, apparently, even on vacation we have lost the ability to sleep in. Ok - so Vegas is an hour behind Phoenix...but still....7 am - come on. Oh well, it was pretty to see the sun come up over the MGM......

One more "baby" step to toddler-hood

I am very lucky for 2 reasons (ok- so I am very luck for many reasons - but these are the two I am talking about today)

1- I have been lucky enough to stay home with Ethan most of the time - so I have been able to witness most of his major milestones. First smile, first word, first food, etc.etc.etc.
2- Those that I have misses have been witnessed by either Jason or my mom (AKA Tutu) - and knowing they were there are just as good!

It is also important to note - that since having Ethan - I have become one of "those" moms, I get a little teary-eyed when things happen that mean he is "growing up". Not that I want him to stay a baby - but I can't believe how fast he is growing.

When he was 8 days old - his umbilical cord fell off - while I was in the shower - I cried. The first time he rolled from his back to his tummy - I was at work - so my mom called to tell me - I cried. You get the picture.

***Upcoming potty talk - so if you don't want to hear about it - stop reading***

Well, for the past few months - we have been talking about the Potty Chair. We let him pick out a potty chair - a cool green one from Ikea. (We got one for Tutu's house also). Now, we have used it as a hat, TV chair and bucket. However, he has been starting to "get it" - he tells us he is poopy or wet. When we go to the "potty" he comes in and sits on his chair. We even had a couple of close calls - "MOMMY, poopy in the potty" But - by the time we got in there and got his diaper off - we missed our time.
My mom - apparently - has the skill.
Last night, we dropped Ethan off with Tutu and Popy while Jason and I went for a quick dinner. Near the end of dinner - I got a call from my mom's house (now any of you with kids know that a phone call from the sitter while you are out is usually not good) - and it was my little boy telling me that he went poopy on the potty at Tutu's!!! Everyone at the restaurtant also heard me tell him how proud I was of him for going poopy on the potty!! ( Apparenty, After dinner - she noticed the "look" - and asked him if he wanted to use the potty - and he did! )
Now, I don't expect this to mean diapers are leaving soon - but we are moving in the right direction!!

However, now I have to step up my game. In the 45 min. between that call and when we got home...Tutu had already made a snazzy "Potty Chart" for the bathroom, put stickers on it, gave Ethan a sticker (and a bath) and had celebratory M & M's!!

So...another step for Ethan away from my "baby" to my "little boy".

And no.....we did not take any pictures of the "event!"

The Blog-wagon

Well - since we are now in 2010- I thought it was time to jump on the bandwagon and start a blog.....since I know there are just tons of people waiting with bated breath to hear more about what is going on here ;0)
I make no promises of frequency - so we will see how it goes.

Ethan turned 2 on Dec. 22 - how can that be? Anyway, he had a great time at his "Cars Ethan's Birthday Party" - he talked about it for days! On his actual birthday - Santa came to visit at a good friends house - then we came home for more cake with Tutu, Poppy, Aunt Kerri and "soon to be " Uncle Bob.

Christmas was wonderful also - we are so truely blessed. Christmas Eve - we drove out to Jason's folks for dinner and presents - and to celebrate our niece Brooke's 16th b-day. Then, Christmas day - we opened the presents Santa left at our house - then to Tutu and Poppy's for more fun!

That is all for now...stay tuned ;)