WOW - 6 Months Old

Well

First off I can't believe I am actually blogging on the right day and not a few days after. Today is Brady's "half" birthday (aka 6 months old). Not sure why this month means more to me than any other month but for some reason it just does. I have always made a big deal about my birthday because I feel like it's a special day for just me (well and my Dad too since I was born on his birthday). Holidays, like Christmas, are great and I am sure it will be Brady's favorite holiday (what kid doesn't like Christmas the best?). I am going to try my best to make Brady's birthday his favorite holiday starting with celebrating his half birthdays! I know this can get out of hand as he gets older but it can just move to recognition of the day and maybe a special dessert. It doesn't have to be like how it first half birthday was.

I really wish we had a bigger house because I am crazy enough that I would have invited more people but unfortunately our condo only holds so many people that the invite was for grandparents only. We had to start the day off kinda early since Brady was the main attraction I wanted to make sure he could stay up for cake! So we had an early dinner followed by Brady's HALF Birthday cake and a few presents from the grandparents (they really did NOT have to do that). I know it might seem odd to celebrate a half birthday but it was actually good practice for the real thing. We found out that Brady doesn't mind wearing a party hat for a while, he loves to look at the candles, and he even loves cake! I know birthday cake & icing are not on the approved food list for 6 month olds but come on - ITS HIS BIRTHDAY, he just had a little taste and boy did he enjoy it!

Even in Brady's own "baby way" I think he understood that today was important and all about him! He was sooo happy today and such a good boy! We got sooo many cute pictures of him today I'm so happy that everything turned out good! Below is Brady's 6th month picture along with some from his party! :)

He really did LOVE the icing!

Just want to end this post with a poem that I found a while about about being the mother to a preemie! Even though Brady might not look like a preemie anymore, in my heart he always will be. I'll never be able to forget what we all went through from his birth, to his long hospital stay, & all the other challenges my little boy has faced. The great thing is that it's in the past and I can't express how happy I am that he will NEVER be able to remember what happened to him. I am hoping that with time I will be able to get past it as well!

Anyhoo! This is a great poem! Till next time! XO - Jill

How Preemie Moms Are Chosen

(Adapted from Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.

"Beth Armstrong, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.

Marjorie Forrest, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.

Carrie Rutledge, twins. Patron Saint ... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give her a preemie."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter?

That would be cruel." "But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.

I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother.

You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.

She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just the right amount of selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.

She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.

She will never take for granted a spoken word.

She will never consider a step ordinary.

When her child says 'mama' for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.

I will permit her to see clearly the things I see – ignorance, cruelty, prejudice – and allow her to rise above them.

She will never be alone.

I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."