	5/25/2001
	1:21 a.m.
	8lbs.
	20 1/2 in.

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Ethan was born Friday, May 25, 2001 at 1:21 a.m. with an APGAR of 8,9. He weighed in at 8 pounds even (just like his daddy) and was 20 1/2 inches long. He has a full head of dark hair (for now) and my blue eyes (hoping they stay that way anyway!). He is quite strong. He tries to do sit ups. He is also quite feisty that I think he will eventually be a boxer or a swimmer by the way he swings his arms and legs. His Daddy, Aunt Kamrin, and Grandma were able to see him enter our lives. We are truly blessed to have him here!

I have to thank my wonderful nurse, Claire. I had a fairly quick labor and delivery with no pain medication, and Claire helped me with that. After Ethan was born, I was informed that he has Down's Syndrome. I was not prepared in the least for this information. I had a perfectly healthy pregnancy. I went to all of my appointments and all of my tests came back normal, so how could my baby be born with a defect?

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Claire came in to me and was so understanding and reminded me that God does not give us things that we can not handle, and that He gives special people "special needs" children to love. Ethan was born early in the morning on the 25th of May, and by late that evening, we were being transported to Valley Children's Hospital. The pediatrician heard a heart murmur

and a major side effect of Down's is heart complications, so my son's first ride was in an isolette with tubes and an IV. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through! The following morning Ethan had a cardioechogram done to check his heart. His heart is just fine! Thank God! We got to come home on Tuesday, May 29th (his due date). We are trying to get him on a schedule. Especially with his feedings. We really have to work with him sometimes to eat. He is the cutest baby. I just love him to pieces. Scott and I have a lot of support which is a tremendous help. So, thank you to all of my nurses and Ethan's nurses. You all were great!