Happy Birthday, Little Zachary!
Happy birthday, sweet baby!
On Wednesday Zachary turned ONE YEAR OLD! He has been through so much in his first year, but today you would hardly notice. Zachy is a happy, busy baby. He crawls all over the house, laughs, dances, and pulls up on furniture. He's starting to exert that toddler independence in the way he resists diaper changes, tries to feed himself, adamantly protests anything he dislikes, and interacts with his brothers. He says "Dada" and "Mama", plays pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo, and even folds his hands at prayer time. Lately he has become interested in the Christmas tree, and those of you who visit on Sunday may notice his, um, rearrangement of the bottom branches.
Shortly after his birth, doctors whisked Zachy away to intensive care, where they promptly hooked him up to all his monitors and IV. We didn't get that time after birth to bond, to inspect every detail of his sweet little body, to nurse him and shower him with welcome kisses. Fortunately for Zachary, he remained stable until surgery and we eventually did get that bonding time. His doctors later allowed him to breastfeed, which gave him the extra boost that helped him through that first surgery. And one year later, he still loves that special Mommy time.
Today we are thanking God for Zachary's first year. We are grateful to have the most critical part of his life behind us. We are thankful to have reached this milestone that some heart families never reach.
And we are thankful for all of you, who over the past year have kept Zachary close to your hearts. You have supported us in time, with help, gifts, food, and even money. Most importantly, you have persevered in prayer for our baby and our family. Your support means more to us than you will ever know. We could never have traveled this road without you. We cannot possibly thank you enough!
Zachy still has a tough and uncertain road ahead. He will most likely undergo his third and hopefully final corrective surgery this summer. He will remain on heart medications and continue to see his cardiologist for life. He is at increased risk for serious complications such as infection, respiratory distress, and cardiac failure. Our hope is that his reconstructed heart will remain strong, but we know that the possibility of a future transplant is very real. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. And as always, remember all children who suffer from congenital heart disease.
This weekend, though, we're not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. WE'RE CELEBRATING THE PRESENT! Zachy is 1 and we're having a party! We hope to see all of you there! Stop by our house Sunday afternoon, anytime between 1 and 4 pm. Bring your friends, bring your children, bring your appetite (refreshments will be served.) Please do not bring presents, but if you were able to help a charity in honor of Zachy, be sure to tell us. Click this link for more information, and contact me if you need directions!
On Wednesday Zachary turned ONE YEAR OLD! He has been through so much in his first year, but today you would hardly notice. Zachy is a happy, busy baby. He crawls all over the house, laughs, dances, and pulls up on furniture. He's starting to exert that toddler independence in the way he resists diaper changes, tries to feed himself, adamantly protests anything he dislikes, and interacts with his brothers. He says "Dada" and "Mama", plays pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo, and even folds his hands at prayer time. Lately he has become interested in the Christmas tree, and those of you who visit on Sunday may notice his, um, rearrangement of the bottom branches.
Shortly after his birth, doctors whisked Zachy away to intensive care, where they promptly hooked him up to all his monitors and IV. We didn't get that time after birth to bond, to inspect every detail of his sweet little body, to nurse him and shower him with welcome kisses. Fortunately for Zachary, he remained stable until surgery and we eventually did get that bonding time. His doctors later allowed him to breastfeed, which gave him the extra boost that helped him through that first surgery. And one year later, he still loves that special Mommy time.
Today we are thanking God for Zachary's first year. We are grateful to have the most critical part of his life behind us. We are thankful to have reached this milestone that some heart families never reach.
And we are thankful for all of you, who over the past year have kept Zachary close to your hearts. You have supported us in time, with help, gifts, food, and even money. Most importantly, you have persevered in prayer for our baby and our family. Your support means more to us than you will ever know. We could never have traveled this road without you. We cannot possibly thank you enough!
Zachy still has a tough and uncertain road ahead. He will most likely undergo his third and hopefully final corrective surgery this summer. He will remain on heart medications and continue to see his cardiologist for life. He is at increased risk for serious complications such as infection, respiratory distress, and cardiac failure. Our hope is that his reconstructed heart will remain strong, but we know that the possibility of a future transplant is very real. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. And as always, remember all children who suffer from congenital heart disease.
This weekend, though, we're not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. WE'RE CELEBRATING THE PRESENT! Zachy is 1 and we're having a party! We hope to see all of you there! Stop by our house Sunday afternoon, anytime between 1 and 4 pm. Bring your friends, bring your children, bring your appetite (refreshments will be served.) Please do not bring presents, but if you were able to help a charity in honor of Zachy, be sure to tell us. Click this link for more information, and contact me if you need directions!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACHARY! What a wonderful day to celebrate. It is so inspiring to me to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday little man! Our prayers continue to go out to you!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I LOVE the holiday family picture! I especially like the little smirk on David's face! I'm going to have to keep my girls pinned up, because I'm sure all those handsome boys you have will prove to be too great a temptation in a few years ;)
Happy Birthday, Zachary!!! What a FANTASTIC family picture!!! How on earth did you get everyone to look at the camera at the same time??? That's almost a miracle!!! :P We continue to pray for all of you daily!
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy (belated) Birthday Zachary!!!! I can't believe that you are 1 Year Old or that I have been following your story for a year now! I pray that you continue to have good health and that you ALWAYS have that beautiful smile on your sweet face...best wishes!
ReplyDelete