Happy Birthday Eli!

Today my baby boy turns 8!  I'm always a sentimental fool around birthdays because I do believe that each and every one of my kids has a miracle life story.   I walked every step of Eli's journey with him so it sticks out in my mind a bit more. My pregnancy with him was not a healthy one, and it is a miracle he made it as far as he did. I didn't even know until I had him that my placenta was formed wrong, that the rare kicks I felt from him weren't a normal amount of kicks. That I was more than likely at risk of my water breaking even earlier than it did and that its a miracle that we made it to 36 weeks. 

And then his birth and the fact that even though our local hospital wasn't equipped to save his life, a hospital that could save him was less than an hour away. That yes his issues were very minor and he was much bigger, older, and healthier than most babies in the NICU but I still couldn't help but think about the fact that if he was born where is big brother was, he wouldn't have had wise doctors or technology to even survive. 

  

So yes, I do consider my son a little miracle.  These 8 years have gone way too fast, but they've been really good years. They've been busy and hard at times but they've been blessed.

Eli, You've always been such a blessing to our family. I will never forget the day I found out you would be joining our family, the first time I saw your teeny tiny heartbeat. The first time I held you after 24 hours of longing to just be able to hold you and know you were going to be okay. The fact that you set off alarms like crazy but once you were up against my chest your breathing and heart rate relaxed. We both needed each other in that moment! You've always been a fun, smart, laid back kid and the serious thinker in you reminds me every day of how much you are the splitting image of your father.  I love your imagination and your temper that reminds me that there is just a touch of your mom in there though ;)   We are blessed to have you as our son, and as I opened up by Bible app this morning, this verse of the day on your birthday seemed fitting. Phil 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  God made you a precious, perfect miracle for a purpose and a plan and I can't wait to watch God's plan for your life continue to unfold! We love you so very much, Happy Birthday Mr E!