Such simple words, words that are sung millions of times a day across the world, but tonight, in my sleepy house, they carry so much more meaning and represent a myriad of emotions. "Happy birthday, Addie." We made it. She made it. We all made it together. To say that it was touch and go several times would be the understatement of the year, and yet, in the end, we're here, together, celebrating the first of many, many, many (many!) wonderful years with Addison. It really has been the most wonderful, blessed year of my life, which sounds a little funny to my own ears when I look back at the truly horrific events we faced, so I'm sure it sounds odd to you, too. A wise friend told me once, "Our highs will be higher, and our lows will be lower", and that has proven to be so true. Our lows were lower than I thought anyone could face or survive, but, in turn, our highs have far outweighed the lows. We are so, so blessed. Addie is an absolute angel, and I know we are honored that God allowed us to be her parents.
You all know how much I love words and how much I love to write, but tonight, there simply aren't words for what I am thinking, feeling, reliving. I will let the pictures speak for me.. .just know that there are plenty of ugly, ugly moments that aren't reflected here. These are the highlights. ..enjoy!
This ultrasound was taken 1 week before I was admitted to Ft. Sanders for pre-term labor.
Day 1. This is exactly how I saw Addie for the first time. Philip brought a picture of her back to my hospital room. She was 1 pound, 9.5 ounces.
1 Month Old! We're off the ventilator and have survived heart surgery and pseudomonis sepsis.Tough month!!! Can't a girl catch a break?!
2 Months! She pulled out all of her lines so we got to see her entire face for the first time! Her NG tube was promptly replaced after the photo op, but she was able to stay off O2 for a bit!
3 Months! She is starting to take bottles and is 3+ pounds. She gets to wear clothes for the first time this month!
4 Months and approaching 4 pounds after a few minor (major!!) set backs. Gearing up for our VP shunt placement. ..mommy & daddy are a disaster, but I'm awfully cute!
Month 4 continued. ..shunt is placed, and we found something I'm good at! Surgery! That's a pretty important thing to be good at in our world.
5 Months! Recovered from our shunt placement and gearing up for our next surgery!
5.5 Months! Recovered from our fundo / Gtube placement, and we're going home!
5.5 Months continued.. .What is this strange place you call home?!
6 Months! I'm home, and the holidays are here! Weighing at a little over 6 pounds!
6 Months continued. ..
7 Months!! Happy New Year!!
8 Months!! We love our hands!
9 Months!! Our first trip to the ER! All bad things happen after hours or on the weekends. ..shunt revision #1 took place on March 5 after a weekend spent in the PI. She's still good at surgery, thank goodness!
9 Months Continued. ..She will do anything to stay off of that left side! All of our hard work to reshape her flat spot is down the tubes.. Back to stretching 8 - 10 times a day. We're just thankful she recovered quickly!
10 Months!! She found and loves her feet!
11 Months!! And her personality is really blossoming! She has an amazing sense of humor and loves to laugh at herself and her parents (we are pretty nuts)!
1 Year!!!!!! One whole year of Addie wonderfulness! What a big girl, and what a blessing she is! She is at least 13.5 pounds now and is roughly 25 inches long. She can almost sit on her own, and she has one tooth in with another on the way! We have lots and lots and lots to do to get caught up to her "corrected" age (based on her due date. ..mid September!), but as you can see, she has come a looooonnnngggg way (Remember, she was too small for that tiny outfit for the first 3 months of her life)!
We are so blessed to be this angel's parents, and I can't wait to see what Year 2 brings! Our lives are forever fuller, more blessed, more filled with friends, and our faith is much stronger, all because this tiniest of people refused to give up. Whenever I face something painful, something difficult, something seemingly impossible, I just picture my daughter, and I know I can make it through anything.
Addie, you are my hero.. .thank you for never giving up. You not only survived, but you are thriving. Keep on keeping on, sweet angel baby. I know we have to want everything more than most people do, but together, we will climb mountains. I love you more than words. Always. ~ Mama
Simply amazing. A miracle to say the least. She is lucky to have you. I hope I can meet her one day!
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