Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl

Happy 3rd birthday, sweet girl. 

You are beautiful in so, so many ways. 

Words cannot describe the joy that was this past year loving on you and watching you grow and thrive beyond what any of us could have expected. 

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

This Year:

You learned to roll over again.

Almost sitting up. 

Yanking EVERY cord. 

Officially off of your vent 24/7 (unless you've got a germ bug). 

You only stayed in the hospital less than 4 nights out of this entire year, and one of those was for observation after anesthesia!!! WE STAYED HOME!!!

You transitioned from Infant and Toddler home program to Head Start in home weekly therapies for PT, OT, Speech, Hearing, Special Ed, and Vision. 

You learned how to sign Mama, Daddy, up, hello, bye, more, yes, no, and please, and are working on more daily. 

You graduated out of your second infant/toddler program at Children's Mercy. In 2015 you graduated from the CHAMPS Cardiac Program and onto a Pediatric Cardiologist. This past month you graduated from the Infant / Toddler Home Vent team (also your primary docs), and are officially followed by a local pediatrician and gained a pulmonologist. These are two programs that not many believed you would ever age out of and graduate from. Well done, sweet girl!

You spend most of your day awake and up and playing instead of napping and laying down all day. The front window belongs to you and you love to watch the cars and scenes outside while you sit in your high chair or bumbo. You now sit in our lap supporting your upper torso on your own. 

You are using a stander!!

You are wearing your hearing aids!

You (mostly sometimes) sleep through the night. 

You are on the growth charts and have a beautiful curve on it. 

Your favorite things include your taggies, cuddle time, sitting in our lap, teething rings, baby wipes, books, bright twinkle lights, family time, and music. 

You continue to beat all of the odds. 

You let me hold you on my hip and snuggle you close, chest to chest. 

You're showing more and more emotion and spunk. You've learned to hit and kick if you're really mad, and to show your excitement for new things. 

Your favorite pastime is swinging on the front lawn while watching your siblings run wild. 

You're addicted to Winnie the Pooh. 

And we love you for all that you are and continue to prove to us that you're fighting to be. You tackle down stereotypes and trample limited expectations. You soar above your limits and continue to prove many wrong. And you're ornery to no end. And we love you for that. 

Happy Birthday, sweet girl.