Celebrating Our Independence!

Last year on July 4th...

Our 4th day at home as a whole family... Still trying to figure out how to handle 2 babies at once!

Eli 2010

Isaac 2010

The boys have a lot less "accessories," as I lovingly nicknamed them, than they did this time last year.  So this year on "Independence Day," I was certainly celebrating our independence from oxygen tanks and monitors.  I can't believe they were so little last year, and still so dependant on so many extra things...

And this year... well... they played in a sprinkler, homemade-pool, and even went down a slip-n-slide!  Yes, that's right- a slip-n-slide!  Oh my!  I probably won't win mother of the year for letting them do that... but, no one was hurt, and fun was had by all.

                                         

(Click on these links below, to see video Chris posted on FaceBook of the boys on the Slip-n-slide...)

Isaac on the Slip-n-slide

Eli on the Slip-n-Slide

They also got to see fireworks for the 1st time.  Well, Isaac saw them- and LOVED them!  His little face would light up with the sweetest smile everytime they went off!  I can't believe he wasn't scared!  But Eli slept through the whole thing...

Brothers

These were taken of each boy on their 1-Year-Anniversary of Coming Home from the NICU.  They look so much alike to me!  What do you think?

Eli 7.1.11

Isaac 6.1.11

(And check out Eli, just one month ago- you can just barely see him in the corner of Isaac's picture- he still had his blue helmet and O2, and was still in the infant carseat!  So much changed in just one month!  YOU GO ELI!)

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. 
Psalm 127:3

Eli's 1-Year-Anniversary-of-Coming-Home-from-the-NICU!

Today marks the 1-year-anniversary of the day that our whole family got to be at home together- the day that Mr. Eli Merritt Gannon got to come home from the NICU!  Chris and I were talking last night and we just can't believe it's been a year since he came home.  It has flown by.  The first 5 months while he was in the NICU, seemed more like 5 years... and I'm sure all the stress knocked at least 5 years off the end of our lives (that's what Chris always says)... But then once he came home, time just took off and started flying!

Eli weighed 6lbs 9oz at 5 months old. And today at almost 17 months old, he weighs 18lbs 2oz.  Big boy ;).  He no longer gets to wear his blue skateboarding helmet, but he did get to add some cool new glasses.  The accomplishment I would say we are most proud of him for to date would definitely be not requiring supplemental O2 (oxygen) anymore!  We are so proud of him for getting off just before his 1-year-NICU-discharge-anniversary.  Way to go Eli!

It's been quite a year full of stress, sleepless nights, worry, fear, exhaustion... but the joy, smiles, milestones-reached, blessings, and thankfulness far outweigh all of that.

We love you so much Eli Gannon :).  You are the sweetest boy ever.  You make my heart full.  I would do anything for you.  I am so proud of you.  I am so honored to be your mommy.  You are my sunshine :).  I'll love you forever!





My 1st time to ever see you.  10.1.10




One of my 1st times to ever touch you.  You were days old.



One of the 1st times I ever held you- I waited 2 months.



One of the 1st times I ever saw you with your eyes wide open.

Mother's Day 2010.  You were very sick :(

Your 1st time to wear clothes :)

Getting your breathing tube out- moving on to VapoTherm

Your 1st hair wash in the sink!



Napping with your puppy and duck.



You LOVE that paci...

Your board in your NICU room on the day you went home.

All dressed and ready to go HOME! 7.1.10



1st car-ride- HOME!



1st bath at home :)

1 year anniversary of coming home from the NICU 7.1.11

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.  Philippians 2:13

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11