Birthday Buddies...

June is our birthday month.  This post is a little late.  My birthday is June 5th and William's birthday is June 8th.  But, his birthday was supposed to be September 14th.  Yes, he was born three months too early. 
 

It's becoming more like a dream now.  Something that I don't think about all the time because him being the seemingly normal baby that he is now, rarely gives me cause to think about it.
 

But, he really did start out as what science defines a "Micro-Preemie."  He was 2lb 3oz.  And although I rarely think about it, I remember it vividly and I will never forget the details of our trying experience with Will...that turned out to be a miracle.

It's a long story.  You can read it HERE.  But, for this post I feel moved to share some things for the sake of remembrance.  I'll never forget how terrified I was when my delivering doctor said, "I'm sorry Shauna, you're going to have your baby now."  She checked me and I was at a seven.  There was no turning back.  With Kirk off to the side, I turned to him in tears and told him how sorry I was, and I was gone from my room, bed and all to begin a very trying time. 

You wouldn't know it now by looking at him.  With his chubby round cheeks and his indented knuckles.  But, when I went to deliver him I remember pushing so hard, I just wanted it over with.  I was so terrified to look down at William once he came out.  I just didn't know what to expect.

I made myself look down once he came out.  He was born in his water sac and breech.  I saw the back of his neck curled with his head and he had a little roll of fat.  Tiny as it was, it was a little roll.  That was my saving grace.  That little roll helped me to take a deep breath with some relief. 

Turns out William was barely living.  He needed the most advanced resuscitation there is and his App Gar Score was 0.  Lifeless.  He may have had a slight heartbeat, but that was it.

And, so started the trial of three months in the NICU watching this precious specimen of a human being get taken care of by a combination of science, technology and real people.  I've never been through anything like it. That much time in a hospital, the ups and downs of possible heart surgeries, complications, mistakes and on and on.
 

We brought him home four days before his actual due date of September 14th.  And it's been pretty smooth sailing since.  Today he is not being measured by a premature scale anymore.  He is measured by a normal growth chart.  He is twenty pounds and he's in the thirtieth percentile for his weight, and about the same for his head and length.


He's super happy and playful.  He's clapping in the picture below.  He crawls everywhere, he stands up with anything that will allow him.  He's becoming more and more independent for sure. 
  

He's a pretty good eater.  He loves oatmeal.  Real oatmeal with coconut butter and berries.  His favorite snack are a brand of whole wheat pretzels that I buy.  He is really such a lovely boy and he has inherited many nick names as most of the children have.  To name a few:

Bo-licious
Bo-lover
Will-bo
Willum
Will   :)
 

So, to the big one year old birthday boy I would say that "faith precedes the miracle."  This can apply to so many circumstances in our lives and it has applied beautifully here.  Although his beginning was rough terrain, slippery, heartbreaking and exhausting, I never asked, "why is this happening to me, us, him?  For me, there is no point to this.  We have trials because this life is about refinement. 
 

How grateful I am to have been a part of this experience, a part of this miracle.  To watch the blessings unfold.  To say I've learned so much is trivial.  Last summer of 2012, in the short time that is was, defines much of who I am right now at this moment.  My family has been blessed to have worked together and come together through these trying circumstances.  The Savior is real and what's more his atonement is our saving grace.  The relief that comes from the atonement is like no other.  I know this.  The atonement will pick you up and carry you to where you need to be.  I know this.  I've been there.

I love you William.  We all love you. I just stare at you with amazement to think about how you started this life.  It's unbelievable.  You hold a special place in all of our hearts.  As you always will.  Happy 1st birthday.
 

As this post was mostly for and about William I would like to just say thank you to all of you who made my birthday so special.  I had visitors all day long dropping by.  Thira and Kirk had a party for me.  My dearest dedicated a post HERE for me.  And I even received cards from my blog friends.  This means so much especially because last year I was in the hospital on my birthday and it was just a hard time all around.  So thank you, I have been so touched by all of your love for me.  I love all of you so much,

Shauna xo