October 21, 2001

Ethan is now four days away from being 5 months old!  Can you believe it?  Not I!  We just went in a couple of weeks ago for his 4 month checkup (and shots, UGH!) and he weighed 15 pounds 8 ounces and was 24 1/2 inches long.  He is still a tad short in comparison to other children, but is doing very well according to the Down Syndrome growth chart.  I put together his NASCAR rocking chair.  He loves it!  He loves to chew on the steering wheel and play with his toys in front of him.  Ethan is smiling and laughing more and more every day.  He loves for you to place his hands on your cheeks and play patty cake.  LOVES IT!  He is rolling to his side, pretty soon he will master the complete rollover to his belly.  I have a feeling that is coming very soon.

Scott and I went to Valley Children's again at the end of August for our genetic counseling.  They said that we are not carriers of the gene that would cause Down Syndrome and that it was a fluke thing.  They said that we have a slim to none likelihood of having another child with Down Syndrome.  Again, they said that Ethan is doing extremely well.  The only thing that he is lacking really is head control.  He is very strong, but still has a wobbly head from time to time.  The more we put him on his tummy, the stronger his neck will become.  At the time we went to VCH, Ethan was in the 75th percentile on height and 95th on weight!  

His hair is getting lighter and lighter.  Actually, it is turning quite RED!  I have to say, he gets that from me...BUT, he also has blue eyes (YEAH!), which he also gets from ME.  So many people say that he looks like me.  I don't see it.  I had someone the other day tell me he looks just like Scott.  At times he will make a face that looks just like his daddy.  It is too funny.  

Ethan is now sleeping in his "big boy" bed.  He was in the cradle next to me up until a few weeks ago.  That was a big step for me.  I wasn't quite ready for him to be in his own room yet.  I'm ok with it now.  He can stretch out his arms, which he loves to do when sleeping, and stretch out his legs.  I'm hoping it snows up at my mom's a lot this year so Ethan can make snow angels!  The other night he woke up at 4am just to play.  I got up and let him know that it wasn't time to get up yet and he laughed at me.  The nerve!  I went to make him a bottle, by the time I came back...ASLEEP!  Little stinker!  

Ethan went to his first Destruction Derby at the fair.  Slept through it.  He loves loud noises like that.  Another first:  first tummy bug.  He did so well.  I thought he would be cranky because he didn't feel good, but he was quite the little trooper!

All in all, he is just a delight.  We love him to pieces.  Still can't believe how fast the time has gone by.  Be sure to check out his photo gallery.  It should be updated soon!

Much love,
Kristen

 

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