Baby Ethan: Week 52

Dear Ethan, 

It is with tears in my eyes that I write my final letter of your first year to you.  For the past 12 months, I've tracked your progress, your milestones, your growth and that sweet face of yours.  We never skipped a week...though I'm sure you would not have minded!  But I'm so glad that I have this first year to look back on and remember it all by.  Time really went by as fast as they say it does, and to know that I can look back to see when you cut your first tooth or sat up for the first time is pretty cool.

You're such a remarkable little boy...everyone always tells us how happy you are and it's true.  You're always smiling and clapping and laughing.  You're such a joy to be around and you already have the most infectious personality.  To think that we'll only get to know you more and more as you get older, is like waking up to Christmas morning every day with you.  You surprise us all the time, and certainly keep us on our toes.  I'm just so in love with you...and so is your dad.

At one, you're not quite walking yet, but you can stand more and more on your own.  But don't let that make you think that you can't get around because that could not be further from the truth!  You crawl like an absolute maniac!  And you pull up and cruise around everything.  You especially love to walk with your walker...you look like such a little old man, and we love it.

At one, you're starting to wear more and more "big boy" clothes...gone are the days of onesies...especially since you're crawling so much and get rug burns on your knees and top of your feet.  You still wear size 3 diapers and I would guess you're 20+ pounds at this point.

You love pat-a-cake and clapping your hands and kicking your feet.  Your favorite time is bath time...you LOVE the water...and that includes your inflatable pool in the backyard and your water table.  You can't get enough of the cat and the dog.  The cat loves sprawling out right in front of you and you grab at her fur and roll all over her.  Wilson is still not too sure of you {jealous big brother syndrome} but I know once you can walk and run, you two will be best friends.

You usually eat three meals a day.  We're giving you more and more big people food and now that you have your top two teeth {and top bottom} you can pretty much chew on anything you want.  And you bite HARD.  I would now...ouch!  You also still take four 6 ounce bottles a day.  Not sure how and when you'll start going to cow's milk and taking it from a sippy cup. One day at a time, I guess!  And you love your pacifier...which could also potentially be an issue moving forward.  It really does "pacify" you though, so I'm sure we'll continue to let you have it, at least for naps and bedtime.

Let's see...on your first birthday, we took the day off to enjoy your big day.  I took you and Wilson for a hike up Meyer's Grade and then we went to lunch at Lakeside Beach House and sat on the patio while you snoozed away.  That night we had a small family gathering...which actually turned into quite a large party!  Your Aunt Lauren and Uncle Ryan are getting married this weekend and so they were in town which is awesome since they will miss your actual first birthday party next weekend.  Also at your party were your Grandma and Grandpa Schue, Great Grandma Wilkins, Sarah, Bobby, Reese and Riley, Uncle David, Anne and Claire, and Uncle Ryan's dad and brother evens stopped by since they were in town for the wedding.  Oh and Wilson had friends too: Norm, Daisy and Bochy were all there too!  Whew!  It was quite the party!  And you loved every second of it!

We gave you donuts for your first sweet treat and you LOVED them.  You started bawling when we took them away from you!  I have no question that you'll go to town on your birthday cake next weekend...will be so fun to watch!

You are all boy {see picture above!} and love your cars, trucks and farm animals.  You like to try and mimic the animal noises and you babble all day long.  You also love music and bounce along to the beat.  Lately, you've been laying your head on our shoulders when you get tired and I just love the snuggles.  You are quite the mama's boy...which of course, I love and will cherish now since I know Dad will be the apple of your eye once you get a little older.  You of course, love Dad now, especially when he crawls after you, growling and tickling you.  You LOVE that and literally squeal with delight.

There's so much more I could say, but really, you are just a joy to be around and we feel so blessed to have you in our lives.  I literally pinch myself because you are such an easy going baby.  You love being around people and are so good about being passed around and loved on {I mean, who can blame you?}.  Every morning when you wake up, I crack the door open just a bit and peek in and the second you find me, you instantly light up and smile and coo.  I can't give you enough kisses on those chunky cheeks...I just love you so much.

Happy Happy First Birthday.  This will be the first of many many celebrations to come.

Love, Mom