So Long, 2011!

2011 has been a great year for us with lots of new and exciting things happening.  Here's a rundown:

January

• Ethan and I started Kindermusik class.  He's gone from being a sleepy baby on my lap to an active participant over the past year.  

February

• We took Ethan on his first road-trip -- to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  It was a very long drive but Ethan was a real trooper.  We even had a couple of warm and sunny days.  
• I also took Ethan to the Nashville zoo for the first time (it was my first visit there too).  

March

• Ethan took his first flight...to Arizona.  We also went to the Grand Canyon (Cayne's first time there, too) and other National Parks and Monuments on our way to Tucson.  

April

• Ethan went to his first wedding (in Arizona).  He danced the night away at the reception until his bedtime and had a blast.  
• I gave a talk at the ASIP Career Development Lunch on Effective Poster Presentations at the Experimental Biology 2011 meeting.  It was a great experience and was also my first ever night away from Ethan.  

May 

• We joined our first ever CSA.  We loved our weekly box of vegetables and can't wait to participate again next year.  
• We went to a First Birthday Party for our niece, Mackenzie.  Ethan had no idea what was going on but we were happy to get to spend the special day with family.  
• I took Cayne to his first ever Jimmy Buffett concert.  I don't think he's a parrothead yet, but he did enjoy it.  

June 

• I took Ethan swimming for the first time -- he loved it!  I can't wait until next summer when he should do some serious splashing!
• We also had our first professional family pictures taken.  Ethan has changed so much since then but we love looking at these cute photos of our baby. 

July 

• Ethan's first two teeth came in at the same time! He still only has four teeth.  

August

• We took Ethan on a day trip to Chattanooga to see the Tennessee Aquarium.  He loved the penguins and he was a wonderful traveler!  

September

• We got to see my sister get married at the Belmont Mansion in an beautiful and intimate ceremony with family.  
• I took Ethan and Cayne on their first trip to Disney World and Grandma & Grandpa Wade, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Nathaniel came along too.  

October

• Ethan went trick-or-treating for the first time, with his cousin, Mackenzie.  He dressed up as Bamm Bamm Rubble.  
• Ethan turned 1!  It's still hard to believe it's already been over a year since we brought our baby home as happy, nervous, exhausted, and scared parents.  Sadly, we are still happy, nervous, exhausted, and scared...but mostly we are happy.  

November

• We took a road trip so that Ethan (and Cayne) could meet his great-Grandma Poteet (my dad's mom).  It was a long drive to Illinois but as usual, Ethan was a real trooper and he had fun playing with his great-grandma.  

December

• Ethan started walking!  It is so cute to see our little guy moving around on two feet.  
• I went to San Antonio to interview for a job with Susan G Komen for the Cure.  I'm very happy to say that I was offered the position and will be starting to work for this great organization in January.  
• Ethan met Santa Claus and loved him!  No tears for Santa for our little boy....at least not yet!
• Christmas with two toddlers at the grandparent's house was priceless.  

Ethan is sad to see 2011 come to an end.  

We hope that all our friends and family had as much fun in 2011 as we did and we hope for all the best for everyone in 2012.

Happy New Year!