Happy Birthday to my NICU Graduate!

Happy Birthday, to my NICU Graduate! Every moment since waking I have thought of you.

Last night before bed, we read our annual birthday reads. Every year since you were born we have read the same books the night before your birthday.

We also talked about your NICU stay. You cried and said when I was not with you in the NICU that you missed me. I felt the exact same way about you sweet boy. Leaving you with strangers was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but quickly, the staff became part of our family. The hospital was your first “home” before we brought you to ours. It really wasn’t fair, but looking back now, Lord, I am so grateful. Grateful to see where you started and how you have fought to be where you are today. As we always say, “Hoovers never quit!”                                          

                                                                                                                                                               Last year when you turned five the three of us skipped our daily responsibilities and we filled our day with all your favorite activities. You wanted to go to Waffle House for breakfast, go fishing, and go to Main Event. Daddy and I happily obliged. You are our saving grace and our HOPE. Every day with you, and every little thing about you, we choose to celebrate.

It is your sixth Happy Birthday.  

We started your birthday again this year with waffles and cheesy eggs, and then off to school you went. You are halfway through kindergarten now. Seeing you grow leaves me longing for the little baby you once were; however, I am joyous to see all that is yet to come! My wish for you today and always, is that you know how loved you are and to whom you belong. God created you for a great purpose, and he has BIG plans for your life, sweet one. 

I will never forget what a miracle you are.

Today, I stood in your NICU pod, by your first bed space when you were admitted into the NICU. I was delivering a little gift for a sweet boy who is also celebrating being born. The moment stopped me in my tracks. A God-wink to remind me of “my why” when things seem tough. Six short years ago, you were innocent, smaller than any baby I had ever seen, but feisty as all get out. Seeing you through that isolette, all I could see at that moment was pure, whole-hearted love. Though the journey had ups and downs, I wouldn’t take back a minute of it all. The experience helped me to appreciate all of the good! 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Son! I love you more than kit-kat bars!

Mommy