Here's looking at you kid

Ethan is 18 months (almost 19 really, but hey I am back at work so I am a little behind on things). So I thought I would mark this milestone by writing him an open letter...so here it is:


Ethan,
I can't believe you are already 18 months. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing you home from the hospital. You were so adorable and tiny. You only weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces when you were born and now you are 23 pounds. You are such a big boy. You have gone from a person that was completely depended on me and dad to this VERY independent little boy. You love to do everything for yourself and get upset if we do it for you. You love to run outside and chase the dog. You are obsessed with balls and you have a good arm! We even have a picture of you throwing a split finger fast ball. You love to read (something you did not begin to enjoy until recently) and your favorite thing to read is your children's Bible before bedtime. You love music and you actually prefer it to not be children's music. When you hear a song with a good beat you stop what you are doing and hold out your index fingers and drum the air. It you see someone playing the guitar you point and trying to run up to them. When you see something you want very badly or something to eat, you emphatically point to the item and then to your belly. Cute now, but if you do that when you are older it won't have that same effect. You love being with other children and love to play with Ms. Shannon's kids while mommy and daddy work. You love the water, although you hated it until about 2 months ago. You really want us to let you go in the pool with just floaties on your arms and not your floaty ring...next summer big boy. You love adventure and entertain yourself by "flopping." Flopping is when you body slam anything fluffy, our bed the couch pillows your grandparent's dog Lucy, anything. You laugh and laugh when you do this, although it gives your mommy a heart attack. You love your sleep and when you need a nap if we ask you, you will shake your head yes and go right down. You have a little seahorse that plays music and you love to listen to it while you fall asleep. You talk some, although I really think you can say more than you do. Every now and then a random word slips out and we don't hear it again for quite some time. hum...But you regularly say: momma, dadda, ball, door, ut-oh, apple (babble), dog, more, eyes, and hi. Brushing your teeth is one of your favorite morning things and when you see us brush our teeth you run to the draw and get your toothpaste out, hand it to us and say "brrbrrr." You adore dogs, although you have thrown one to many things at your dog and she is a little leery of you right now. She will come around.
You bring so much to mine and daddy's life. I can't imagine my life without you. You are an amazing gift from God and he has truly blessed us with you. We pray everyday that God protects you and God gives us wisdom when raising you. This has been amazing journey being your mommy. I love you Ethan!