To our baby girl Evan,

We know half birthdays aren’t usually such a big deal, but for you, it should be. When you arrived nine weeks early, we weren’t sure what to expect, but I remember…

I remember how you cried when your tiny body first hit air and how I instantly knew you were going to be fine.

I remember how you wowed all the doctors and nurses and were way above average during your entire time in the NICU and how I knew that meant we were going to be fine.

I remember seeing your “pod mates” in the NICU with doctors surrounding them, concerned looks on their faces, speaking in hushed tones and how I hoped and prayed that they would be fine.

I remember how your big brothers prayed for you to get “big enough” to come home and how they would ask me everyday when I got home if you were, in fact, big enough yet.

I remember holding you in the NICU and singing songs to you in a whisper… mostly traditional hymns, but everyday we also had a rousing version of the Temptations’ “My Girl.”

I remember how you were too tiny to nurse and how your first feedings were a mere 3 milliliters, and those came to you through your nose.

I remember rejoicing each day when your feeings increased until they hit two ounces through a bottle!

I remember Daddy announcing to the church that you needed prayers as you “crammed” for your upcoming car seat test. You passed with flying colors.

I remember bringing you home and watching your brothers automatically assume protective roles. Even now they hover when someone holds you and they try to tell Mommy and Daddy what you need. They know you’re amazing.

I remember how exciting it was the first 24 hours that you went without a bottle and how, once you were able, you took to nursing like champ and never looked back.

I remember when you first rolled over at less than 3 months old, which is like 1 month adjusted age.

I remember calling Daddy in during bath time to see your first leg creases at about 4 months old. Fat looks so good on you!

I remember when the word “preemie” used to scare me.

I remember asking “Is it a girl?!” in the delivery room and knowing my life would never be the same again.

Happy half birthday sweet baby girl. 6 whole months! I love you more than you know… and I know you love Daddy more.

Yes, we know you’re a miracle. I pray we never forget that. But don’t expect to get away with more because of it.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 at 8:53 am and is filed under Evan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.