21 Things About Ethan

In honor of the last day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, I have decided to share 21 Things About Ethan.  Some may already know these things, but I figured I would list as if someone was coming to this blog for the first time.

1. We did not know prenatally that Ethan would be born with Down syndrome.
2. Ethan does have a singular palmar crease.
3. Ethan's eyes were blue, but turned hazel after chemotherapy.
4. Ethan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) when his was 2 years 9 months 19 days (Friday, February 13, 2004)
5. Ethan was born with a TON of hair and never lost it until chemo took it.  :(
6. Ethan was diagnosed with Tethered Cord Syndrome in 2008.  It is what kept him from walking for so many years.  Once the neuro surgeon cut the cord, it sprung up like a bungee cord!
7. Ethan does not speak verbally, so communication remains our biggest challenge, but he has adapted sign language for him (ESL-Ethan Sign Language) to use and share with others.
8. Ethan speaks volumes through his actions and by how he looks at you.  This includes anger, frustration, happiness, joy, and most of all- love. 
9. Ethan is a Daddy's Boy through and through- well, unless he is tired or sick and then he's all mine. 
10. Ethan LOVES feet. 
11. Ethan LOVES cake and ice cream- individually or together.
12. Ethan LOVES girls.  LOL.
13. Ethan is the sweetest little flirt.  ;)
14. Ethan does not watch TV.
15. Ethan is not attached to any one toy.
16. Ethan loves to swing.
17. Ethan was very jealous of Diva Princess (Loren) when I started taking care of her, but he has grown to love her.  He even goes up to her and gives her kisses just because.
18. Ethan has the most affectionate and infectious giggle on the planet.
19. Ethan has the world's longest yawns.
20. Ethan was born in California, moved to North Carolina, and has visited Hawaii, Texas, Oregon, Washington, New York, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Colorado, and Maryland.  He has been in Nevada, Utah, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee during the drive from California to North Carolina. 
21. Ethan has taught me, my husband, our families, our friends, classmates, teachers, and strangers what it is to love and accept.  He has changed us for the better.