12 months = 1 year of complete happiness!

I am writing this at exactly 10:04pm, the time of Ethan's birth exactly one year ago tonight! I am shedding tears of sorrow, joy, excitement, and praise. I am sad because this year went WAY too fast! I am joyful because I am so proud of everything Ethan has accomplished this year. I am excited because if one year with this child was this much fun, I cannot imagine what it will be like in years to come! Finally, I have take a moment and thank the Lord above for getting us through that scary week leading to his birth and those nerve wrenching weeks in the NICU! I would never want to wish those moments on my worst enemy! We are SOOO blessed to have the Lord and ALL our friends and family by our sides!

 

To Ethan:
Well, my little Monkey, you are the reason I believe in MIRACLES! Your the reason I get up in the morning, leave work as fast as I can, and take 10 min. cat naps while rocking you to sleep! Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you needed lots of doctors and a feeding tube to eat, now you shovel your food in your mouth with both hands at the same time. You still are fighting drinking on your own (you can't kick the habit of getting milk the easy way!) and are getting closer to using that sippy cup all on your own. Since being home you have only needed ONE unscheduled visit to the doctor, an ear infection. Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you were a small skinny kid, you quickly gained pounds and with those pounds came fat rolls and dibbles on your butt checks. You win the rate of gain contest, Curly! Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you had pitch black hair and lots of it, now you have a head full of blonde hair! This came after a few weeks of being mostly bald with a few stray strands of hair, which you still have, and I refer to those as 'original pieces'. I just wonder what color it will become next?!!? Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you could fit in the crevice of my forearm, now I go to the chiropractor for back pains from carrying you around! You can crawl everywhere, walk around furniture and push your four wheeled toys around. Ethan you amaze me! 
When you entered this world, you came out screaming (which was the most amazing and revealing moment ever!) and now you prefer to laugh and smile your way through your day. You are such a HAPPY kid who waves to anyone and anything you see! Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you made me cry and I am crying right now! You made me smile, and I am smiling right now. You changed my life forever, and I am forever grateful! You taught me so much, and HEY you survived a whole year having me as mother! Ethan you amaze me!
When you entered this world, you stole my heart and the heart of many others, and you will forever have MY heart!
Love you forever and ever!
Mom

Sorry for the saga! Onto the 12 month pictures. I cannot believe I just wrote out my LAST month card. I have to refer to his age in years from now on instead of months! CRAZINESS! Each month it got harder and harder to catch him smiling, getting the sign in the photo, AND getting the correct side of the sign. This is as best as I could do!

 We tried standing.

 We tried sitting.

 

Back to standing.

 Okay, I give up!

Getting ready to party it up this weekend!! Stay tuned for more birthday party pics!