(I had written this a few days ago and forgot to post it on his birthday! D'oh! In my defense, I forgot because I was out of my mind crazy busy with his birthday party but still . . .)
It is hard to imagine that Ethan has been on this earth for 4 whole years and yet it is hard to imagine life without this brilliant child.
Now, I'm not saying he is a genius or anything (even if I think he is pretty bright) but he is BRILLIANT. His energy, his attitude, his love and cuddles. I take pride in the fact that together, as a team, Matt and I have helped to nurture the good and tried very hard to steer him away from the bad.
Being present and aware as a parent doesn't seem to be the norm these days. How many parents have I heard say, "I just don't know what to do/say/treat him or her!" In this day and age of information it seems to me that maybe they just don't want to change. I am not perfect, as I'm fond of mentioning, but I feel like I'm trying very hard to be present for my children. To respect them and know who they are. Not bend them to my will, not ignore them or brush off their questions. I absolutely lose my patience sometimes and have to give myself time outs. But at the same time I want my kids to know that I have their backs.
Even when I'm disciplining them or being especially stubborn. I want them to know why I'm acting the way that I am. Sharing my feelings and emotions is important to me. I know that not every parent does this and I've received criticism for being so "open" with my kids. But that is okay. Because no one lives in my world except my family. So, how can anyone judge? See what I did there? Just the paragraph previous to this I judged other parents. Despite our best efforts to be open minded it is just plain impossible not to see another situation and feel judgment based upon your experiences and knowledge.
But I digress . . . my Ethan Alexander Charles is the most amazing 4 year old I know. I can only hope that years from now I look back on this birthday as a milestone. We survived thus far, we survived the third year with all of its changes and struggles. New brother, new house, new state, new school. He was a wild one. A lot of what we experienced was completely normal, a lot of it was the aforementioned changes, but all of that boundary testing helped to forge who he is.
He is an amazing brother.
He has a love for nature and a curiosity that is boundless and I'm so darned proud of that. He loves the pursuit of knowledge, just like his father and mother do and I can only hope that carries through his whole life.
He loves to question everything and I do my best to answer in a quick but truthful manner.
He is attune with emotions and feelings and is the most affectionate lil' boy, always quick for a cuddle.
He loves his friends and is in his element amongst the hordes of other toddlers. No shrinking violet, he is quite the social butterfly.
He is just the most special Ethan I know.
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