HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PETER!! Can you believe it??!! Peter is ONE today....unbelievable!! Peter woke up early this morning so that he could get some snuggle time in bed. He enjoyed a yogurt breakfast and some milk. After a little nap he was ready for an OT session with Miss Renate. They played rolling the ball, exercising on the big ball and hanging out with Tommy. Then it was time for lunch and Peter was cranky - the sight of food made him scream. Renate and I gave up - and let him just have a bottle. The boys and I then loaded up in the car and went to the library where we read some books together. I was able to bribe Tommy out of the library by promising a Starbucks. So off to King Soopers we went. Peter zonked out in the car so missed the penny horse ride and the frap Tommy & I shared. We ran a few errands before picking up Alexandra and Jack from school. We then came home for a mid afternoon feed which Peter enjoyed - green beans & rice! He hung out on my bed with Alexandra, Tommy and Jack watching a little PBS before we headed back out. Alexandra had "Leadership" so the boys and I headed down to pick up Peter's bath seat (it wasn't easy to find it!). We picked up Alexandra and a pizza - which we enjoyed out on the back deck. I made a little birthday hat for Peter, and after his dinner he tried out the bath seat and bath book he got for his birthday. All was fun and games until the two older boys got too wet-n-wild....and Peter wanted out. After some snuggle time and warm milk he was out like a light. So he is resting upstairs as I post this update. The Year in Review: (and goodness knows I am missing some milestones here)....Peter rushed into the world early, got sick, spent 5 weeks in the NICU including pulmonary hypertension, kidney failure, heart failure and feeding issues, then had open heart surgery, a collapsed lung, throat infection where he was intubated and still more feeding issues.....a few colds, a lot of meds and tons of love later Peter has learned to roll both ways, smile, cross midline, eat his toes, play with his fingers, hold a prayerful hand position...he's learned yogurt and sweet potatoes can be yummy and with some good exercises eating isn't that hard...he has learned to smile and laugh, to rock his head with good music, babble a conversation and hold a face still to give big wet-suck-face type kisses....he can sit but sometimes needs support, loves to push into standing position and play music and ball games....he says things that sound a lot like "mama" "papa" and "I love you"....he is starting to sign food, mother and father...he has mastered the pivot and roll method of getting around and throws in a good army roll when motivated...he has shown us all how to love, laugh and persevere through the good times and the not so good. How many of us can say we have done all that in a year?! And I can't help but believe that through this all Peter has learned the most important lesson of all - that he is loved beyond any level of human measurement! And then there is us...the family lucky enough to be blessed by Peter...we have learned that sometimes things are hard and we feel defeated, we have learned that bad things can happen to the most amazing of people, we have learned that it is ok to be afraid and question life - as long as we share our fears and questions with God so that He can strengthen us....we have learned that we are not in charge no matter how much we try and that sometimes prayers don't get answered how and when we want....we have learned that our attitude is contagious and a smile really can light up a room....we have learned it is ok to be imperfect as long as we are imperfectly us....we have learned that the smallest accomplishments can bring the most joy and deserve big celebrations. But most of all - we have learned the power of love, faith and family will get us through the good days and the bad. Thank you for sharing this year with us! Love, catherine
Doing OT with Ms Renate playing with ball dinner outside!
