When Ethan came home on Monday, the three of us were sitting around the dinner table and Jeramie looked at me and said something along the lines of, "He's changed. He looks bigger and he's talking differently." I agreed completely, then realized - this boy of ours is growing up in front of our eyes. It's hard to see it while we're in the day-in-day-out routine of life, but a short break is all it takes to put this reality front and center.
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| Photo courtesy of Amaree Davis with Hathaway Photography |
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| First school photo - courtesy of Portrait Makers |
Overall, preschool was a wonderful experience for him. There were some bumps and bruises along the way, but I'm certain he learned a lot of social lessons in the process. Our reasoning for preschool was to provide some structure for him, but I did not expect him to rebel against it. It appears that we have quite the stubborn, strong-willed child on our hands, who likes to dictate his own events throughout the day, thankyouverymuch.
Jeramie and I have discussed a few behaviors that we've noticed, and I'd like to have a conversation with Ethan's cardiologist about them in the fall. Ultimately, I would love to have him evaluated by a NeuroCardiac Care Program (most likely the one at CHOP) sometime between now and him starting Kindergarten. I am a firm believer that the early intervention services he received for the first three years of his life helped to get him where he is today, and I want to give him that same advantage when it comes to starting school.
Despite those concerns, Ethan is doing really well! As far as we can tell, his heart is strong and his body is healthy. At last check, he weighed a little over 38 pounds and stood about 42 inches tall. He is inquisitive - forever wanting to know the mechanics behind how things work - and loves to make people laugh. He's a pretty brave kid - willing to climb, jump, and explore with the best of them - but still has quite the disdain for swimming. (We've got to work on that one this summer.) He is an animal-lover, from ants to cows, and if a human baby doesn't find its way into our family soon, an animal one will!
He's gotten himself in trouble recently with name-calling and "bathroom words", and I can't help but feel like I'm getting a taste of my own sassy medicine. All that attitude can be exhausting, though, and thanks to Melatonin, he now sleeps very well at night.
Even if it is on the stairs.
This morning, I was thinking about the first time I learned that babies could be born with broken hearts. I was standing in my friend's apartment about eight years ago as she explained her job to me - transcribing for a local cardiologist who diagnoses and treats heart defects in children. I was blown away that kids even had heart problems, let alone they could be found while a woman is still pregnant. I had no idea that four years later, I would end up in that same office with my own baby - still shocked by the fact that it happened to us.
I pray I never lose the sense of awe that comes with thinking about those first few scary months and comparing them to how well Ethan is doing now. Of course I don't want to dwell on those days, but they are forever a part of his story, one that points to an even greater story of love and redemption.
God is so good, and we are so thankful.
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.
-1 Samuel 1:27
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| Photo courtesy of Amaree Davis with Hathaway Photography |
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