I know. It really hasn’t been a year, has it??
It has.
Last year on this day we got a call from Jane, “I just took ___ in for her 36 week check-up and I think her water broke”. Eva was born a few hours later that Monday night. 4 weeks early. 5 lbs. 10 oz.
All of a sudden there was a tiny cellphone picture in my email box, of a baby all connected to wires and oxygen. I wish I had saved that picture but somehow it got lost in the shuffle.
I made a mad scramble to get kid coverage, pack a bag, and flew out to SLC by myself.
By the time I got there on Wednesday, she was off the oxygen.
I was so tired when I got there, and completely overwhelmed.
And when I saw this tiny little baby I was terrified. She was soooo small. My boys were all so big at birth. And their births, because I had all c-sections, were a blur.
But here I was meeting my new daughter for the first time, in a preemie unit. A total stranger.
I carefully picked her up.
Love
Feeding her a bottle was a nightmare. The bottle was so big (the tiny ready mades the hospital had) She barely ate anything, we had to keep track. She stayed in the hospital for a week. Her fave nurse and I would always chant to her “eat and grow, eat and grow”
And grow she did.
When we got her out, Andy joined me in SLC. None of the clothes we had would fit. We had to try to find some preemie clothes
I loved that little hairy forehead- it’s gone now.
Back when her thighs were not jumbo variety.
I could go on and on with pictures- but most of them have been moved off my laptop for safe keeping. Probably a good thing so I don’t have a super long post.
but just for fun, I took a couple quick shots of her when Blake got her out of her crib this morning- the hair, rock star. She seems to know today is a special day. The boys are so excited.
Better pictures to come I promise! I just wanted to get a quick post up. Let the birthday celebration begin!
Happy Birthay Miss E! I can’t believe its been a year already. She’s so stinkin cute
eat and grow, your chant seemed to work! Hope you all have a great day! Happy Birthday!
Beautiful Eva, Happy Birthday.
Yay! Happy Birthday Eva! I am so lovin’ the bed head.
Happy Birthday to Eva. I too love the bed head!
I have enjoyed so much watching her journey and reading her story! Eva is such a beautiful little girl! Happy Birthday!
i remember all of that!
so exciting.
happy birthday eva!!!
I am so happy for you all. Happy Birthday little miss Eva!
Happy Birthday Eva, we love you soooooo much!
i’ve just recently started reading your blog. your beautiful girl shares a birthday with my 17 year old son and bears a striking resemblance to my 13 year old daughter…right down to the awesome bed head. it’s a pleasure to see how much you all enjoy her. happy birthday eva.
I’m like Lauren, recently began reading your blog…and Eva looks exactly like my 9-year old daughter when she was a baby too :). So many memories and a reminder to cherish each day.. Happy b-day Eva!
Wish I had waited till morning to see miss Eva. Going to bed with tears in my eyes, thinking of what a joy she has been to our little community!!! She is loved. Miss that hairy forhead, but love the thighs.
I can not believe it has been a year. wow. She is a lucky little girl to have all of you, and you are all so blessed to have her. What an awesome family you are.
I cannot believe that Eva is one. (and on my son’s bd too!)
I remember reading about your journey to pick her up…the weeks in the hotel room, waiting to take her home….it’s been so awesome, to watch her grow over the past year. She was a part of your family from day one….happy happy birthday Eva. And happy birthday to you all….it is a wonderful day to celebrate as a family:)