Fun in the Sun

Today, Mommy, Mimi, Pop and I headed to the Smith Ranch in Katy. One of Mommy's friends, Kayla, has a disease called Autoimmune Hepatitis and is in need of a liver transplant so we headed to a fundraiser for her.

Riding on a horse, Mommy pushed me around for a ride.   

 Mimi and Me

 Me, Mommy and her friend Kayla

I actually wanted my Pop to hold me today, this is a BIG deal.

Busy Week

On Sunday after viewing some more houses my Mommy and Daddy decided to put an offer on a house that they had seen without me the week before.

On Monday Mommy and Daddy awaited a phone call and found out they accepted our offer. I'm going to get a house and a backyard to play in if everything works out. Mommy and I went to the realtors office to sign papers after she picked me up. I did very good playing on the floor, especially since I had run a fever of 102 during the day at Grandma's house. Once we got home Mommy let me have a snack on the floor, as you can tell from the picture I ate most of  them off the floor instead of the bowl.

On Tuesday I was still feeling crummy, I had a very stuffy and runny nose and since I wasn't sleeping good at night Mommy decided to take me to see Dr. Ola. Of course once we got there she told Mommy that it was just viral and we had to let it run its course. Here I am after I got home from the doctor feeling a little better being on motrin and tylenol.

On Wednesday we had a low key kind of day. I went and played at Grandmas and then hung out with mommy in the evening.

On Thursday we went to a retirement party for my Mimi at her school. She has worked at the same school for 14 years and will be leaving at the end of the year.

On Friday Mommy and I went to look for some clothes for a little boy who doesn't have much and needs some things. I'm even going to give him a few of my things that I don't use anymore. I am happy to be able to give someone my things to use because when you are a little baby you need a lot of things.

When we got home I started playing with my toys and found my new favorite toy lately, Mommy's purse. I am so happy that my Mommy let's me play with her purse, it keeps me entertained for a long time.

Afternoon Snack Time

I am thankful that God has been able to use me to help other mom's who have walked in my shoes after my NICU journey. It most certainly is something only those who have walked in those shoes can understand.  

Here is a letter I found written by someone else who endured my journey at one time too. 

Dear New NICU Mom,
I recognized you the other day. You came out of the NICU, your husband right behind you. You walked slowly, like maybe you had a c-section last week, but you didn't still look pregnant. You were both crying softly. You looked exhausted. I knew that look.
My baby and I had to meet someone in a NICU waiting area at our city's children's hospital for a research study. You saw us sitting there in the waiting area. You looked at me. I smiled a sad smile at you and you returned it.
What I wanted to say, what I tried to say in that sad smile, was this:
I know how it feels.
I was you eight months ago.
I have cried those quiet, uncontrollable tears - on a good day by NICU standards - as I put my tiny son back in his incubator after a kangaroo care session, carefully juggling wires and tubes, nestled him in, put a fleece blanket over the box to keep the light out. Watched the monitor to make sure the numbers indicated that he was comfortable before I left. I, too, hesitated before I smoothed the last corner down, peeked through the plexiglass and choked up as I whispered - goodnight, my baby, I love you, I will see you soon.
I have walked that slow, heart-wrenching walk, away from my sweet tiny baby. Pain in my abdomen where a baby should still be halting my steps. Crying, not sure if I'm embarrassed for a stranger in the hospital to see my tears, or if maybe crying in a hospital is what people expect, or if I don't even care.
I am so sorry I am here with my healthy infant, confronting you right here as you leave your baby behind for now.
My gargantuan baby (to you anyway, I know) weighs 15 pounds and 10 ounces today. Five times his birth weight exactly. He is healthy and normal for his adjusted age. No more oxygen, no more wires, no medications. He didn't even go to the doctor at all in April. I know he looks like a freak of nature to you. Sometimes even I can't believe this is the same baby who could curl up into a little ball under my cupped hands. That I watched with delight and thanksgiving as his stick-like limbs got chunkier and his little belly became roly-poly and his eyes went from murky blue-gray to clear blue and his ears grew cartilage that makes them stick out.
Your little baby is perfect. How big is your baby? I want to ask. Actual and adjusted age? How is she doing today? Were you able to hold her?
When I smile at you, holding this giant baby, I want to tell you that I hope with all my heart that your baby will be fine too. That the fear slows down as time passes. And if your baby does need oxygen, wheelchairs, braces, monitors, tubes, I want to tell you that a gift of the NICU is that now I can look past the medical devices. If that is what your child needs, when I see you in public in a year or two, I will see your beautiful child, not his equipment.
New NICU mom, in the glance we shared, I just wanted you to know that I've been there. This healthy baby on my lap has been where your baby is. We know how much it hurts. It's okay that you're crying, NICU mom. Your journey is hard. Sometimes you have to cry. Let me share your burden for a second. I know how to carry it.
Love,
A recent NICU mom

 

HOW PREEMIE MOMS ARE CHOSEN

Have you ever wondered how mothers of premature babies are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation, with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs one of His angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
…
“Armstrong, Beth…give her a son. Rutledge, Carrie, give her twins.” Finally He passes a name to the angel and says “Give her a preemie.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She is so happy.” “Exactly”, smiles God. “Could I give a sick child to a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But has she the patience?” asks the angel. God replies, “I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment withers away, she will handle it fine.”

“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary for a mother. See, the child I am going to give her will have his own world. She will have to make him live in hers, and that is not going to be easy.”

“But Lord, I’m not sure she truly believes in you.” God smiles “No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”

The angel gasps “Selfishness! Is that a virtue?” God nods, “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child that is less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a single day. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says “Momma” for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and know it.”

“She will never be alone. I will be by her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as she is here by My side.”

“And what about a Patron Saint for her Lord. Whom shall it be?” asks the angel. God smiles, “A mirror will suffice.”

~ Erma Bombeck

I love how well this is written and how true it is 

being a mother of a preemie. 

 

 

What day is today?

Today is Mother's Day

'

Because of this little guy I was blessed with becoming a mommy. 

Thankful for celebrating my 2nd mothers day at home with him, healthy and happy.

Day of Firsts

Today has been the day of some firsts for Tucker

 He fell off the couch and got rug burn on his forehead.

 

 He ate his first strawberry cereal bar and loved it.

 He got the kitchen cabinet opened that has the tupperware in it and had 

fun pulling out the containers and banging them together.

Just Monkeying Around

Tucker is into everything these day. Here are some of the places that he has traveled to today in the apartment. 

 Playing with his activity table.

 Being silly on the floor.

 Trying to get into mommy and daddy's bedroom.

 Venturing into the kitchen.

 Playing with the cabinet door. 

Mommy and Me in the kitchen. She sure does love her little monkey.