Happy 1st Birthday

Wow...that is about all I can say right now. Where does the time go? This time last year, we were getting ready to welcome a precious bundle of joy. About to head to bed, not sure if we would even be able to sleep. Going over all of the details in our head. Are the bags packed, is the car seat in the car, do we have enough people scheduled to help with the other kids, how would Boog handle mommy and daddy both being gone overnight for several nights, how would he handle the transition from baby of the house to big brother...so many things were running through our minds. None of which could have prepared us for what we faced at 7:30am on Wednesday, August 27.

We knew that he was potentially up to 2 1/2ish weeks early, that part was planned. What we did not know is that he was actually a little more than 3 1/2 weeks early. That should not have been a big deal. At 7:30, on Wednesday, August 27th, our lives were forever changed again. This time we were put to the test. How would we handle this situation? I was scheduled to arrive a few hours early and we were to go into surgery for the planned c-section at 7am, my doctor along with a pediatrician and the neonatology team were present. All was going as planned, my biggest worry is that the doctor would forget that we had agreed he would drop the curtain so I could attempt to see what was going on, another doctor had agreed to video the birth for me, we were all set. After listening to the doctors chit chat, being blinded by the lights and nervous for the whole thing to be over, I began to feel what can only be described as someone mashing and jerking and pulling and maneuvering my abdomen...I mean seriously, am I supposed to be able to feel all of that? Finally, I hear them say he is out, I wait but do not immediately hear a cry. I do hear the doctor say it is a boy, I see my husband get up and move to the side table, I wonder why they did not let me take a look at him. I hear people talking, I see people rushing, I finally hear a cry after what seemed like forever. I started to feel a little bit relieved, I hoped that I could see him soon. The longer they worked on me, the more sure I was that something was not right, there was too much commotion on his side of the room. I finally got someone to tell me what was going on. It seems that being just the 3 1/2 weeks early was a big deal for him. Later I was told that there was fluid on his lungs. They scooped him up and ran away to the NICU, my husband in hot pursuit. I was now left alone, on the table, wondering how my sweet, precious new baby boy was holding up. I do not even remember getting to see him at all, maybe I did.

I was taken across the hall to recovery and a nurse and my husband began telling me what was going on. According to them, the baby had fluid on his lungs, he would get some oxygen and be back with us later that night, at the latest the next morning. I would be able to go see him and hold him once I was able to move a bit. A few hours after he was born, they wheeled my bed into the NICU so I could take a peek. He was so tiny, tubes all over him, stuff covering his face. I felt horrible for my precious angel. Later that day, I learned that he would be staying longer than they had originally thought, and that I would not be able to hold him. That broke my heart. I was also told that I could not even touch him. It could make him worse. No mother wants to hear that touching their baby could possibly make them worse. He was tiny and helpless and there was nothing I could do. He was over 2 days old before I could touch him, over 3 days old the first time I briefly held him and 4 days before I was able to nurse him. On day 5, he was well enough to spend the night with us in a parent care room and day 6 he was able to come home! Praise God! I have never had such a week and hope and pray that I never will again.

My baby is a fighter. He may be small, but he is a tough little guy. He had a hard start but I think that made us stronger as a family. We cannot imagine our lives without this little guy. It seems like only yesterday he was born but then again, it is hard for me to remember a day without him.
He is funny. A real trouble maker. He is fast. He loves both brothers and his sister. He is one lucky kid. They love him too! His face lights up when he sees them. I think Boog is his favorite.


We think he is beautiful. He makes our life complete. He knows what he wants. He loves his mommy and his daddy.
He can say quite a few words, if he wants to. He says Mamma, Da-Da, Dog (Dat, I think) but then pants like a dog after, he says bye, hi and a few more. He knows a few words in sign language too. He does drink, all done and play. He refuses to sign more or eat. Not really sure why, but he does know what they both mean.
He loves to play. He loves to make funny faces. He is a great baby. He likes to ride. He is laid back and easy going, most of the time. He has recently discovered his screaming voice and we are not excited about that! He knows what he wants, and most of the time he knows exactly how to get it.
Yes, our baby boy turns one today. We are happy and we are sad. So many things have happened this year in his short little life. He went to Disney World, he saw the beach, he ate sand, he goes to Kindermusik and he eats everything he can get his hands on and get to his mouth.

Our baby is growing up too fast. We are not ready, or at least I am not ready.

I know it will not be long before he is walking.

He is so curious. He has a love for all things. He has not met a food he does not like. He has stranger anxiety. Mommy is his favorite, most of the time. He thinks his siblings are the funniest thing ever. He loves our dog. He sometimes uses him as a pillow. I think the dog might have even decided to love him back, maybe.


He is our beautiful baby boy. He may not technically be a baby after today, but he will always be my baby. We are so happy that he is a part of our family.

We are so proud of our little one. I just wish we could make time stand still. We love you sweet little man.

I also put together a video slide show of his first year. It is scheduled to post at 7:30am. I hope you enjoy seeing a little part of our life. Thank you all for being a part of our lives and helping us to celebrate our little man's very first birthday!