3rd time's a charm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN! This time 3 years ago we were very worried for our little baby who was in the NICU, and God has blessed us beyond measure with Ethan William. He perfectly fits in as our son, the firstborn, a brother, a cousin, a grandson, a nephew and a friend. He definitely keeps things interesting around here, and always surprises us with things he knows, remembers, keeps tabs on, etc. I was lying in bed with him last night singing to him (something he hasn't asked me to do in a long time), and I found myself very emotional about the fact that he's 3 years old. I guess I'll need a box of kleenex with me when I'm lying in bed with him on his 5th, 7th, 10th birthdays. I just don't know how 3 years can go by like this. While I do miss him being a baby, I'm also so excited about going places with him as he gets older, sharing things with him, having conversations with him.

Ethan - while I know you know that you are loved, I'm not sure your little self can fathom how special you are to me, and how you just fill my entire body with joy. You bring out the best in me (most of the time), and one of my favorite parts of each week is riding in the car to and from school every Tuesday and Thursday. I love our conversations about the trucks we see, the letters we see on signs, the restaurants we've eaten at that we pass, and then our prayer once we get to school. I pray that God never lets me forget you at 3 years old - independent, a mom's boy (you have stopped calling me "mommy" and have switched to "mom"), sweet to your sister until she gets your trains, happy, lovable, thankful, obedient, stubborn as anything, a selective listener, energetic, an outdoorsy boy, a non-picky eater (except for chicken nuggets which must come from Old McDonald's), playful, and a million other things that make you you.

Yesterday was his actual birthday, and Clay stayed home to help us celebrate all day long.  We made bacon and toast for his birthday breakfast.  Then we let him pick where to go for lunch and he chose Chicken Red's because they have an outdoor playground.  Last night we celebrated at home with Nana, Poppa, Mimi and Uncle Nathan.  Ethan chose a spaghetti dinner with (soy) ice cream, so that's what we had.  He got some great gifts, and we had fun playing with new toys and going for a late-night Target run together.   (Clay and Susan - I apologize for your faces in this picture, but it's the only one I got of everyone together.)

And we had his Curious George birthday party today at a park close to our house.  The weather was perfect, all of the kids had a great time, and for the first year...Ethan actually at his birthday cake!  We used a Cherrybrook Kitchen mix that's egg and milk free, and he really seemed to like it (I guess anything with a pound of icing on it is good).   It was such a relaxing party, and we loved having our/Ethan's friends there to help us celebrate.  Of course he got some wonderful things, and I think everyone enjoyed the snacks and cupcakes.  Being surrounded by friends and family for something like this always makes me stop and thank God for the ways He continues to bless us.  And I couldn't help but think about how Bryan and Ginny and the girls will be able to come to Ethan's party next year!  Thank you to everyone who helped make our little boy's birthday so special.  We love you all.

The kiddos...minus Paige, Rachel and Kate who were very busy with other things
 




And just for a little perspective, here is Ethan on his first and third birthdays (apparently the tricycle was well worth the money):