12 Months

I officially have a 1 year old and a 2.5 year old - life is crazy!!!  It seems so unreal that my little Samuel is already one.  How is it possible that our lives were forever changed a year ago?  What a year it has been...one I never want to go through again.  It was the hardest year in my 30 years, but I also learned more that I ever have.  You are such an amazing blessing Samuel, and I am beyond thankful that you are my little boy!

~  You are now 15 lbs, 9 oz and 27 inches long!  It seems so small, but comparing it to where you began it's huge!  It's getting harder to remember you when you were less than 2 lbs and hooked up to endless lines and machines.

~  You are just about out of size 1 diapers.  We are finishing off our last box, then moving you up to size 2 (finally!).  With how much you've grown, you are wearing mainly 6 month clothes, but can wear a few 6-9 or 9 month outfits.  I'm constantly having to shift your clothes around.

~  You started sitting up for a few seconds at a time ON YOUR OWN!!!  My heart was giddy the first time the PT let go and you stayed up - such a proud mommy moment!  It's hard to explain the difference in having a typical baby meeting milestones compared to a micro-preemie meeting milestones.  Especially milestones that, according to medicine, he's not suppose to reach.

~  Your PT has also been working with you on standing with your AFO's on.  You were able to stand with her only supporting you at the hips.  You were also able to stand on your own while putting your upper body weight on a mat.  It's just like you're cruising furniture.  I cannot wait to see you take your first step!

~  You are now up to 160 mls every 3 hours during the day.  We are trying to stretch that stomach out to help you grow even more.  With each increase in volume, you still take a few days to adjust.  We are hoping that will settle down as you grow.

~  You are now on pump feedings instead the gravity feedings.  This change was made by the GI doctor at ACH in hopes that it would help your reflux.  So now, whatever you don't take by mouth, is put through the pump over an hour.  You're tolerating it well, but are still throwing up.  Thankfully, it's not the full on reflux throw up that you had been doing.

We love you more and more each day Samuel!  It is impossible to look at you without seeing the miracle that you are.  God has blessed you with an amazing story and we pray that this story will further His kingdom in ways we can't even fathom!