Dear Ethan

Dearest Ethan,

You are such an angel baby.  Words fail to describe how happy and blessed I feel to be your mother.  You're thirteen months old now and such a joy to be with.  You're happy, mellow, curious, and extremely smart.  You are very cautious with strangers and new environments, but the serious look on your face never stops strangers from approaching us and complimenting on how cute and handsome you are.  Mommy is starting to worry that this might become a problem when you're older.  You understand a lot, both what I try to communicate to you and what goes on around you.  You're a very easy baby who rarely cries or complains.  Just like today, we had to run many errands, four times we came home after each stop and then got back in the car to go somewhere else, but you never fussed or showed any signs of impatience.  Mommy has no idea what I have done to deserve an angel baby like you but thank you for being so patient and happy all the time.

For a long while, you've learned to clasp your hands together and to tuck them right under your chin when we tell you that we're about to pray.  You usually lose interest not long after we say Dear Heavenly Father, however, you've been doing something really cute lately.  You stare at mommy, the ceiling, daddy, and then the carpet throughout the prayer, but whenever you hear us say ...in the name of Jesus Christ, amen... you immediately clasp your hands together again and then look at us with a knowing mischievous smile on your face.  Mommy is constantly surprised by how much you understand and learn just by observing us.

Another cute thing you've been doing is to cover your nose up when you hear me say stinky and when we change your diaper.  You also do the same thing when you laugh, or blow a kiss, or sign thank you. It's a very useful motion to have mastered my dear.

Thank you for making my everyday life worth living.  I love you.

Yours always,
Mama