The Day that Changed Everything

Yesterday was a big day for my family.  My youngest son, Will, turned 10 years old.  While that may not seem unusual to many of you with young kids, it was everything to my husband and I.

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Ten years ago, we weren't sure if we would ever see this day.  I was 35 weeks pregnant with my second child.  Early in the morning hours of August 19, 2002, I had a full placental abruption.  At home and in a small town with an ill-equipped hospital for major emergencies.  Without going into details, there was a lot of blood, a frantic ambulance ride and an emergency c-section.  I don't know how my son survived that day.

He survived and was sent to a larger hospital 60 miles away.  I was left in my hometown hospital recovering from a huge blood loss.  I hated being apart from my baby.

My son would stay in the hospital's NICU for almost four months.  I finally got to hold him when he was two weeks old.  This is my favorite picture of him at that time.  I think we captured his first smile.  I wish the picture was of better quality but we had to make do with what we had.

Over the years, he has endured many hospital visits, surgeries and what seems like a million doctor (clinic) visits.  Throughout it all, he has remained strong and seems to adapt to everything that is thrown at him.  He is truly my miracle baby.

We celebrated his 10th birthday with lots of balloons.  They are one his favorite things in the world.  With the help of my mom and sister, we blew up lots of balloons in bright colors and placed them all around him.

I even attempted to make a balloon banner to hang across a big window in my living room.  The idea came from Pinterest, of course :)

His birthday cake was decorated in a Curious George theme (his favorite cartoon).  It was made by a local bakery that makes the BEST chocolate cake with buttercream icing.  That's what I always order.  YUM!

My favorite picture from the day is this one.  My two boys....one a cute 17 year old that just started his senior year in high school and my sweet little man that made it into "double digits!"  I live for these kids.  Family always comes first in this house!