Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Sorry I'm a day late. We were so exhausted from our marathon turkey day that we CRASHED when we got home last night.

So Thanksgiving is that day when you reflect back on the last year and all you have to be thankful for. I think I would have to say that this past year is probably the hardest year of my entire life thus far. Yet, the most blessed. I think mothers of preemies already have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for their little ones. But I think our situation highlights that feeling even more. Not only am I thankful that Bennett has survived his premature birth, and despite many struggles, has overcome and is well on his way to living a happy, healthy, normal life. But I'm also overcome with thankfulness that despite the fact that my amniotic fluid started leaking at 21 weeks, I didn't rupture until 24 weeks, and that he wasn't born at the cusp of viability, but went on to cook another 6 weeks post-rupture. Six weeks is a relatively short time period. But in the life of my child, it probably meant his life. In my gut I feel that if he had been born at 24 weeks, Bennett probably would not have survived given the immense difficulty he had with breathing at 30 weeks. That is a frightening thought, as I cannot imagine my life without him now. So, the "meaning" of this Thanksgiving runs particularly deep.

Additionally, this experience has really put into focus for me what an amazing support network of family and friends we have. I want you all to know how thankful I'm for you! When I was on bed rest in the hospital, I commented to Ace that if I ever felt unloved or unsupported, to please harken me back to this time. My room was perpetually filled with flowers, cards, and treats. My phone rang several times daily with someone calling to see how I was holding up. So many of you came to visit me and keep me company. My message board friends sent me a kick-butt care package. Several of the preschool moms and teachers sent over a huge basket full of snacks and books. My family brought me food on practically a daily basis so I didn't have to keep eating the icky hospital food all the time. But beyond all that - the tremendous outpouring of prayer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ok, now I'm done being sappy...on to the pics!

Bennett had his first taste of sweet potatoes yesterday and he loved it!!

Baby food is ok, but what he really wants is "big people" food. He loves to teeth on pieces of pear or apple, and to gnaw on bread. He grabs for your food if he can get near enough! Yesterday my sister was letting him sip some sparkling red grape juice off her finger and he flipped. Its like baby crack. If she took too long getting him his next sip, he started shouting at her (I really need to get a video clip of his shouting, its freaking hilarious!).


And boy is he teething big time right now....Grandma's finger is an awesome teether :)
Bennett also got to hang out with his cousin Ethan last night. Ethan is such a cutie - he kept reaching out to touch Bennett's face and hands!! I hope they grow up great friends! Bennett is 2.5 weeks older than Ethan. Ethan has about 4 lbs and 4 inches on Bennett though, lol. Poor Bennett...


And here is the long-awaited rolling sequence!!!





And this isn't the best pic, but I had to share. The other night after bath, his hair was sticking straight up on his head like a spikey 'do. To match daddy I suppose? I thought it was too funny :)
Oh, and we finally got the compulsory baby-in-the-laundry-basket picture!!!

And I want to share this pic too - Carter likes to be rocked to sleep sometimes too, so here I am doing double duty. I just shout for Ace when both are asleep! he he. Can you tell how much I love these boys??
Thanks for following! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!