I learn, and learn, and learn, and DO!

OK, so I've been crazy-busy doing all sorts of new and groovy stuff. I'm not even sure where to start - but I'll try to begin with the happenings of a couple of weeks ago and come forward to now.

I still haven't had to have anything put through my feeding tube, so now it's been 18 days!! I have been eating my puree baby foods with cereal mixed in, and even some of the stage 3 foods are becoming my friends. Along with my beloved 'milk box'es that I use I also have 2 bigger straw bottles that I groove to. Today Mummy gave me a couple of smoothies... which were my puree foods mixed with my Nutren Jr and some heavy cream. YUMMY -- and Mummy says they are full of good calories for me.

I started last week getting myself into this weird sort of 3/4 crawl position, and I was doing good reaching for stuff like that. One of my feet was always stuck in that position...and I simply couldn't figure out how to untangle it from my other leg. But I could get into that position and reach far - then go onto my belly - then sit up again and pivot around and start again. It made it very interesting for me...and I could get all the way across the room in this manner. It was sweet!!!

I have a few new words... I said 'kitty', 'book', and I mimiced the all mighty cat meow sound today!! I also say MaMa a lot more than ever these days - and Mummy is really enjoying it!!!

I have discovered that I am truly becoming a toddler in every sense of the word. Which is fine with me...but apparently could take a toll on Mummy & Daddy. I like to throw a little now and then when things aren't going my way. It doesn't always make it so that I actually get my way - but at least they KNOW that I'm not very happy!!!

On this past Friday night... now take a seat for this one... I actually took a few little crawl 'steps'. Oh yeah... right on my little hands and knees - every so causiously I moved my little hands and legs and got a little way forward. And I tried it again on Saturday... it was sooo cool!

On Sunday we did the March of Dimes walk, and it was great fun!! We had more people walking with us this year for Ethan's Journey and we did well on the walk. It didn't even rain on us, and by the time it started to sprinkle we were ready to come on home! I think that we doubled the amount we raised last year, and I'm so happy and proud to help other little babies like me!

Once we came home on Sunday and we all relaxed for a while, I gave that crawling thing another shot...and guess what??? I am REALLY good at it!!!! I just took off crawling all over the floor... I got to the TV - then over to my toys - then to the Roomba - back to my toys - back to the TV - and as I headed for Cellar's litterbox I was cut off at the pass!!!! I really like this whole moving on my own thing!!!!

Today - Mummy and Nana went out and took me with them. We did some errands, and when we came home there was a lot of hub-bub in the living room with Mummy & Daddy and some plastic stuff.... I went outside to play with Nana... when I came back there it was!!! My new baby play yard!!! I guess it keeps me away from the TV - and the Roomba - and sockets and plugs...but they did move Cellar's litterbox!

Well, I do love you all. And thank you once again for all your prayers over the last year and a half. Look how far I've come!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Dr. Pam was sick :-(

Well, Dr. Pam was sick yesterday so I didn't get to see her after all. :-(

But Mum threw me on the scale at home and I weigh in at about 21 lbs, 4 - 5 ozs. Not bad! I guess I'm going to get a new appointment to see Dr. Pam. Then I can find out how tall I am too! Ya-Hoo!!

More Monday - love you all!

Every Day... Something New!

Hi everybody! I missed writing to you last week and telling you about all the exciting things that are happening with me! I had a fantastic Easter, and I hope you all did too.

I went to spend Easter Sunday with at my Nana's house this year. It was lots of fun! I got to play lots with Uncle Roy, Nana, & Grandpa. Then on Easter Conner and his Mum-Mum and Daddy came over. We dressed up as Bunnies... I actually liked it this year! Then I got to play with Conner...and guess what???? I didn't even cry!!! I was just having the very best time.

I have been doing loads of new and groovy stuff these past couple of weeks. I have something new that I like to do a lot of... and you saw the pic above. I LOVE drinking from my Rubbermaid juice box! LOVE IT!!!! I just drink away until my 'milk' is all gone! And Mummy and Daddy sit and watch me in shock!!! I'm so happy being able to control something that when Mummy sits me down to eat now... I don't give her as much trouble! Cuz I know that when I finish my meal I can sit and drink from my juice box at my own pace. Fast or slow... I finish it every time now!! Mummy and Daddy haven't had to put any of my food through my tube for 4 days now!!! HOW'S THAT FOR HUGE NEWS????? Gosh, I am getting to be such a big boy now!

I still enjoy standing and sitting, and now I try harder to walk. WOW... it's very fun to do, but it makes me tired - I still have to hold Mummy's or Daddy's fingers or I'd fall RIGHT over! And I'm getting much better at sitting up from laying on the floor - I only need just a little bit of help these days. Before you all know it I'll be standing at your door and knocking, so I can walk in on my own!

Tomorrow, I go see Dr. Pam and I can tell her all the great eating tricks I've been learning! I think she is going to be really happy with me this time. And she will weigh me too... I can't wait to see how huge-big I am on the charts this month! I'll drop you a cheeky little note to tell you about my bigness tomorrow or Wednesday. :-D

Well, I have a lot of playing and learning to do, so I have to go for now.

I love you all!!!

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Good news! Now you can have an Ethan's Journey Walk America 2007 t-shirt even if you can't walk or fundraise with us! I know... you can probably barely contain yourself!!

But I'm going to sell t-shirts this year, and 100% of the profits are going directly to The March of Dimes. I have shirts in adult sizes and you can get one for your own for just $10.00. Bargain. Sizes available: Medium, Large & Extra Large.

You get to see the mock-up of the front of the shirt above, and on the back will be our corporate sponsors. I hope you like it!!

Please contact me at: ethansjourney@yahoo.com
and let me know if you want a shirt, and what size. I'll tell you how you can pay when you order your shirt.

Love you all!!!

Did you miss me??

I'm very sorry that I didn't write last week. I had the best of all surprises last Monday - my cousin Conner came to visit -- and he stayed until Friday!!! I was very excited to see him. Before you all ask...yes he did make me cry! At first he didn't mean to but then it became a game... He would screach... I would cry... and when I started to calm down again -- another screach! OY it was hard on my for a while, but by the end of the week we were playing nicely together. Conner really walks good -- he moves around the house like a flash of lightning and can get to EVERYTHING! I was jealous of that... cuz I still don't walk yet. But I'm really, really trying.

I'm still eating and drinking from my open cup. I like it that way, I also like to drink from water bottles... and my bottle - as long as the nipple is not attached... just the open bottle thanks!! I'm sure that I'm gaining lots of weight!! I have another appointment with Dr. Pam on the 17th, so I can let you know how I'm doing then!

Just yesterday I think I found my calling... Mummy and Daddy are pretty sure that I am to be the next David Beckham, but I think I may be the next Uncle Cliff. Surely you've seen the pic above that shows me working on my 'car'... what do you think??

So we have another few weeks before our March of Dimes Family Team - Ethan's Journey - walks in Manchester to help other babies like me. If you haven't had the chance to sponsor us yet, please do click on our team link to the right and make a donation. Any amount is helpful and if you've been reading this blog for any amount of time you know how much the March of Dimes did to save my life. Please support us.

Thats it for this week... more next week.
I love you all!!!!