GETTING BIG

Okay, if you didn't think Ethan was big at 20 inches and 8 pounds, 3 ounces when he was born, how about his two-week height and weight: 21 inches and 9 pounds even. He's a little pudgy (90th percentile in the growth chart), but he's not short either (50th percentile in the growth chart). The doctor said all is well during the check up. Oh yeah, he also said Ethan has big feet.

COMFY

Ethan's decided dad is one of his favorite pillows. He'll take a snooze like this usually once a day.

EYES OPEN

Okay, this is probably one of the best shots of Ethan with his eyes open. He's sporting one of his mom's favorite sleepers.

ALL CLEAN

After the trauma (and the drama) of the bath was over, Ethan cozied up in a sleeper for the evening and posed for this shot, eyes open and all.

MY FIRST BATH

He wasn't really happy about the whole situation, but Ethan got his first good bath today, hair and body, with a lotion rub-down afterward. He smelled great. But he still wasn't happy about it.

ROOTING FOR THE RIGHT TEAM

We had to start him off right, so this week Ethan started sporting his Yankees gear.

ANGELIC

This picture was taken at the hospital by the photograph company employed there. He looks pretty good for his first professional shot.

EYES OPEN

Ethan's starting to open his eyes a little bit more now. He's still a little booger as he adjusts his sleeping patterns, but he's getting a little better. Tara's feeling a little better, but she's still sore. And she might be overdueing it a little bit, but she'd deny that.

HANGING OUT AT HOME

Ethan still likes to keep his hand by his head, as you can see while he naps with dad. He looked a little frumpy while posing with mom here, too, but you can see his eyes open a little bit.

MY FIRST BASEBALL APPEARANCE

Ethan liked his first baseball outfit so much, he wore it for a nap.

LITTLE GUY

This is what he looked like on his two-day birthday. As you can see by the big yawn, he was still a littled tired from all the activity in his busy little life.

DAY TWO

On day number two for Ethan James, he slept a lot...until Mommy and Daddy were ready to sleep. Then he was hungry and grumpy. Mom felt a little better and started to move around a little bit. Day three's been better for mom. She feels so good, in fact, she's trying to talk the doctor into heading home on day four. We'll keep you posted.

THE WHOLE FAMILY

It was a long day for all of us, but we were happy to finally be together. Daddy and Momma were glad to see the little guy who had been kicking Tara in the ribs for so long.

SLEEPY TIMES

After a very long day, momma and Ethan decided it was time to lay down and take a little nap.

CHILLIN WITH DAD

Yeah, he's got gas, just like Daddy. But at least he's got Daddy's good looks.

CAMERA ONE, CAMERA TWO

OK, here are two of the first pictures of Ethan James Shappell, born at 11:55 a.m. on Jan. 14. He was 8 pounds and 3 ounces, 20 inches long...Ten fingers, toes and all that. He is a cutie.

OH THOSE CRAZY KOREANS

So all the stories Tara and I tell you are true. Here's another one. When Mr. Britton and his girlfriend showed up for Christmas dinner, they brought us a gift (it was a pillow to support the baby's head). This was the wrapping paper. Yes, it's a little suit-like wrapping paper with a bow tie. Oh, and while you and I would assume the pillow was just to support the baby's head while he sleeps, the Koreans believe it has another purpose - to ensure the baby's head is round instead of lumpy. Fun stuff, eh?

TARA'S CREATIVITY

We all know how talented Tara is with arts and crafts and here are those talents on display. On top are the blocks she painted for the little guy and below that is her Christmas village.

ANIMALS!

Bear inspects one of her Christmas gifts and gets to work on it...and while Boots watches Tara hard at work, Bear poses for the camera.

MORE GUESTS

And the list continues. Mr. Britton (red T) and his girlfriend (So Yun (unsure of spelling)) and the Farrells, Steve and Becca. Of course, Bear loves Miss Becca and had to pose for a shot with her, too.

HOLIDAY GUESTS

These are some of our friends who were able to attend Christmas dinner. SSG Green (blue button down shirt) and his girlfriend Tammy, SSG Carle (white T) and his girlfriend, and the LTC Reeves with his wife Anna and their little girls.

BELLY!

This is Tara on Christmas Day before getting everything ready for our guests. On Jan. 5 we had another visit to the doctor where we were told the little guy was up to about 6.2 pounds. So, by the time of this post, he's probably approaching the 7-pound mark.

CHRISTMAS KITTY

Boots was more interested on the paper her gifts came in than her actual Christmas presents.