Dear Ethan,
Happy Birthday! Today you are 4 years old! When I think about the day you were born and where you are today, it brings tears to my eyes! You started out your life with a 50% chance that you wouldn't even survive. Yet, here you are today having fought a hard fight and surpassing our expectations for what progress you have made in all aspects of your life. You started out not even breathing on your own and ended up needing the help of a trach and ventilator for the first couple years of your life. Today you are trach and vent free and are growing and thriving breathing on your very own! I have to admit, I didn't think this day would come so quickly, though it seemed to take forever at times.
I often questioned why you and our family had to endure all the challenges that we were faced with when you were diagnosed with the congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Sometimes it is hard to trust our Heavenly Father, and I am still trying to learn how to do that like I need to. What I do know is that because of you and our lengthy stay in Ann Arbor, we have been blessed with meeting so many spectacular people that have become lifelong friends. Many of them are also families with kids that have similar medical problems as yours, and we cannot forget the NICU nurses that took care of you and our family day in and day out for the first 7 months of your life. Through all we have endured, you have taught me to see life in such a different way. The little trivial things in life really don't matter that much any more! You have also taught all of us that even though you are a small person, you have so much control and we just need to follow where you lead us. You seem to have written an unpublished book about your life and the normalcy that you will not be following!
You are growing so fast and have the sweetest personality! I love watching you with your brother and sister! If Katelyn is crying you always start to look concerned and sometimes try to calm her. You love laying on the floor next to Katelyn and talking to her. It never gets old to watch. You also love picking on Bryce, but he doesn't share that same love! You just want to be like him and follow him everywhere. You get so excited when Bryce comes home from school that you always run to the door and try to open it before I can!
You are one funny boy too! Your vocabulary and ability to talk more clearly is just growing by leaps and bounds. You like to enforce being polite. If someone lets out a burp, you are always so quick to tell them "What do you say?" You even do it to Katelyn, but have a hard time understanding why she won't say "Excuse me." Some of your favorite phrases include:
"Don't know." (With a shrug of your shoulders)
"Bryce silly or naughty? Pick one."
(sigh) "Fiiine."
"What so funny?" (after anyone laughs)
Your dad and I love you so much! We know that Bryce and Katelyn do too, though Bryce is a big tough boy and wouldn't readily admit it! You are a great addition to our family and we are so blessed to have you as a part of our family! You are loved by all of your extended family too and your strong will and courage do not go unnoticed by anyone! Happy birthday! Here is to many more birthdays and sweet celebrations of your life!
Love,
Mom
