Summer of Fun

Here are some of the things we did over the summer, which included a lot of visits and playdates to the park.

We ran into Katie at the park.

Ethan climbing the stairs with his friends.

 Swing with a great view!

 Sandcastles!

Our new mat from Grandma.

Overall, it was a great summer. We visited several new parks, watched the Blue Angels at a park in Bellevue, and saw lots of friends.

-Dina

Friends By Experience at Craniofacial Picnic

This was our first official Craniofacial Picnic this year. We went last year, but we ended up missing it since they are held on Sundays and start during church. This year, the picnic was held at Magnusen Park in a shelter right next to the playground. It was perfect. We ate hot dogs first thing and sat down to eat. It was nice to see all the kids running around. This is a great opportunity for Craniofacial families to get together and visit as well as for Craniofacial children to play with other kids who share something in common. It was certainly a nice day for a picnic!

While we were eating, Kelly came over and said hi with her daughter. I probably should call her Dr. Evans since she is a craniofacial doctor now and not a fellow, but when we first met her, she introduced herself as Kelly and that's what we've been calling her this whole time. We love seeing Kelly and even though Ethan remained a patient of Dr. Cunningham, we could have easily went with Kelly. She still comes and visits us every once in a while and she said she would come visit Ethan after his surgery in September to get his tonsils and adenoids out.

While Jonathan went out and played on the playground, Ethan had fun making a craft. He had fun drawing with markers.

The boys also got balloon animals made from the magician that apparently comes to the picnic every year. He actually does magic shows for the kids throughout the picnic and then makes balloon animals in between shows for the kids.

Kelly and Ethan sharing some quality time together. I hope Ethan grows up to be friends with all of his doctors. He's always really liked the female doctors. As he's getting older, he's starting to warm up to the males too, which is a good thing.

Ethan with Serena, one of the Craniofacial Medical Assistants. Serena is always at our clinic visits and so sweet.

As we were sitting at a table eating, this lady came up to me and asked me if I was Ethan's mom. It was a lady named Michelle and her son and mine share the same condition. This is the first family we've met who share the same condition. Michelle and I met on the Craniofacial Chat Facebook page that Children's created and she must have recognized me from my profile picture.

-Dina 

NICU Picnic 2011

This year's Evergreen NICU Picnic was our second that we attended. The boys had a lot of fun. There was face painting, fishing for prizes, a bouncy house, a big slide, a Kirkland police car, bubbles, hula hoops, bean bag toss, sidewalk chalk, a table filled with Evergreen Redmond goodies, cupcakes, water, and a professional photographer walking around. Jonathan really enjoyed the bouncy house and Ethan had a great time with the bubbles and sidewalk chalk. The parent advisors also walked around with nametags so parents could approach us and ask us questions about being a family advisor. I spoke with several parents.

Fun with bubbles. Penguin also loved playing with the bubbles :)

Jonathan stamped his passport and then decided to stamp his hand. Each stamp had to be on his hand perfectly.

Ethan lined up all the stamps and then stamped his passport. He also stamped his hands....over and over and over again.

Jonathan and Ethan both liked the cupcakes. Jonathan wanted me to take a picture of his silly face.

Ethan with Dr. Chentow (middle) and Dr. Lawson (right) who were his main Neonatologists.

-Dina

Ethan's Second Birthday

Ethan's 2nd birthday was celebrated in 2 countries. We had a party with family at our house. We had dinner and Auntie Tayla made Sesame Street cupcakes. They were cute!

In typical fashion, Ethan devoured his cupcake and made a big mess. Here he is showing his mess off and signing that he's all done.

His stash of new cars.

Then on his actual birthday, we traveled up to Vancouver, B.C. to celebrate Ethan's birthday with Bob's parents in Canada. Before we left, we swung by Pinkabella Cupcakes in Redmond Town Center to pick up a half dozen cupcakes that I had won in a Facebook birthday contest. Entrants had to tell why they or someone in their family deserved free cupcakes on their August birthday and I won! My entry:

Me: "My son is turning 2 on the 14th. His birthday is so special to us and serves as a reminder of what a special little boy he is. He has been through 4 surgeries at Children's Hospital with another next month and even more hospital stays. He has taught us so much about resilience and a positive attitude. He loves Pinkabella Cupcakes!"

Pinkabella: "OH BOY, our fan pick was tough, so we chose 5!...DINA PAN that little warrior deserves cupcakes indeed! All 5 win a 6 pack..."

Me: "Wow! Thank you SOOOO much for being a part of my son's celebration!!! Can we pick up tomorrow afternoon at Redmond Town Center?..."

Pinkabella: "Dina,..., yes, pick up at Redmond is great, I have submitted your name! Thanks for loving Pinkabella!!!!

We had a nice dinner with Bob's parents and then they surprised us with this cake for Ethan. He really like it, especially since it had the sparklers on it. He ate some of the cake and then he got to eat the white chocolate plate on the cake that said happy birthday.


I'm such a silly boy. My tummy is full of food and cake. I am playing with my trains and I am roaring because I am wearing my tiger shirt.

Picture with mommy.

 Pinkabella cupcake that mommy got for me.

 Yummy!

Happy 2nd birthday to my courageous, brave boy. You have taught us so much about being brave and resilient. Mommy love you SO MUCH Ethan!!!!!

-Dina