Nathan wasn't supposed to be possible. Because of cancer treatments, his birth mother had been declared sterile. The fact that he survived the first few months of life is a miracle!
Nathan was born via C-section at approximately 27.5 weeks.
He weighed only 2 pounds 4 ounces.
The doctors gave him a 50% chance of survival at best.
So incredibly tiny.
So perfectly formed.
So fragile.
I still remember the doctor holding him in one hand.
I still remember him struggling to breathe.
I still remember the NICU, and the care they provided him.
He spent 3 months in NICU. I visited him every day for several hours. I'll never forget walking in one day and he was struggling so much. His vital signs were a mess. I reached into the incubator to let him know that I was there. He took my finger in his hand, and within a minute all his vital signs returned to normal levels.
Through the years, he has remained totally healthy with no signs of any complications from birth. He is honestly one of the coolest and funniest kids you will ever meet :) His intense desire to get the most out of every moment inspires me, as if he knows deep inside that he's a miracle.
You'll have to pardon me a minute while I brag on someone. Renee', you were and still are a Godsend to me and 'the kids'. I have watched you take on the responsibility of raising 4 kids and never look back. Thanks is totally insufficient and incapable of describing my feelings. Your bond with Nathan is an integral part of his success. I love you :)
Pictures are great, and I love taking them, but sometimes they don't do justice to the message. With that in mind, here are a few snapshots we took this past weekend in a return trip to the NICU. I hope you enjoy them.
This last one shows just how far he's come. The bear is roughly the size of Nathan at birth, and he's wearing a diaper and the sunglasses that each preemie wears in the NICU.
I've said for years, mostly in jest, that God watches out for babies and idiots, and that I don't really care which one He thinks I am as long as He's watching out for me :) God has really blessed us with Nathan.
Happy Birthday Mighty Mouse!
I have met Nathan 1 time.........he is one of those kids that instantly make a connection, I will never see dust in my closet and not think of him, nor will I ever pass goldfish crackers and not think of him.......Congrats on your miracle ♥♥
ReplyDeleteawesome, this makes me believe in the goodness of God even more...never seen the little boy but what good people he comes from-
ReplyDeleteI love you Nater..... glad to know you and your little sweet fam..... for real dude, like totally. Happy birthday to you and all your air guitars.......xoxoxo Em
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