You have had your challenges - starting with being born WAY to early and having heart surgery at one month old...
2010: Then your heart had a leaky valve2013: The clip has done its job and your heart is perfect - and you are learning to shave2017: you were doing martial arts.2022: Now you are a non-stop water kid
Heart surgery wasn't your only challenge - you also had to learn things like how to breathe. Now, you use your breath to entertain with the voice of an angel:
2010: Then you needed a machine to help you breathe.
2013: Singing in the car
2017: Making up songs with your sister
2022: Unleashing your voice for the world to hear
We used to struggle to keep you warm.
2010: you needed an isolette to keep your body temp normal2013: you could burn a 104 fever for a day and survive (and mom can get through it without panicking).2017 (and today): I can't keep you out of the ocean - even if its freezing!2022: Lying in the snow is just one of your favorite things
Your weight gain is one thing... your height is another. By the next time I do one of these posts, you will likely be taller than your sister!
2010: You were only 12 inches long.2013: you spilled out of my lap in every direction.2017: only your sister is crazy enough to try and hold you in her lap!2022: You are almost 5 feet tall!
Thanks to your early birth, you were born with your eyes fused shut - and there was a run where we feared you might go blind.
2010: your eyes were fused shut.2013: you saw everything- whether we want you too or not.2017: there is no stopping you - especially around books and writing your own stories.2022: Ok - the only thing stopping you is your refusal to wear your glasses other than in this picture
At the beginning we had to be as gentle as possible touching you as even the slightest of movement could tear your skin. Now you are a thrill seeker!
2010: limited in how much we could touch you.2013: you could tumble on a playground black top and stand up yelling "I'm ok".2017: you are riding a bike and pretty darn fearless.2022: No thrill is too scarry
Your hair has alway been a signature - its just now on your head where it belongs.
2010: your body was covered in freakishly long and thick blond hair- but your head was bald.2013: you had a head of beautiful blond curls.2017: your hair is still a blond curly mess - but at least you let us cut it!2022: Now you have your own signature hair-style
You have always been a charmer. People are drawn to you and feel safe and loved when they are with you.
2010: surrounded by the amazing and talented staff of the NICU.2013: your daily adoring public was smaller but adores you more than they thought possible.2017: you have best friends and classmates and teachers that adore you.2022: Your adoring public includes teens, Yayo's Micheles and so much more
When you were born, keeping you alive took everything. Now, you are unstoppable.
2010: You had tubes and wires coming out of you.2013: You were free of all synthetic medications and support.2017: You are a force of nature with nothing, and I mean NOTHING, holding you back.2022: Even if I wanted to hold you back... I couldn't.
Even your food intake is something we don't take for granted.
2010: your food intake was measure in milliliters - causing frozen breast milk to spill out of my freezer.2013: you would hoover food down like I may not remember to feed later.2017: you eat while on the move.2022: You now eat hot dogs that were the same length you were at birth
Your height and your weight put together made for interesting times getting things to fit.
2010: you were so small, not even the smallest of preemie clothes would fit you.2013: At 3, you were busting out of your size 2T clothing2017: I couldn't keep you in shoes in clothing as you are growing like a weed.2022: You are so tall, you can almost wear your Yayo's cloths.
No post about a kid is complete unless we talk about diapers 🙂
2010: the preemie diaper was so big, we had to fold it in half to fit you.2013: you were in the largest size of non pull-up diapers available.2017: diapers are a distant memory. You are just a big, goofy kid.2022: The goofiness has reached new levels.
And now that you are twelve (crazy!) we have gone from being separated by circumstance to inseparable by choice.
2010: I had to leave you every night alone in a hospital.2013: I got to read to you, sing to you (while you laugh) and tuck you in every night... And sometimes sneak in just to look at you sleep.2017: I have the honor of watching you every day: grow, thrive, love, laugh, and LIVE.2022: Now I get share the most important things - like recording my audiobook
What can I say, these past twelve years have been everything and I can't wait to see what the next twelve bring. But for all that is holy, please DO NOT CHANGE. You are amazing just as you are. In the past 24 hours I have watched you charm every adult you have met, getting your own hotel room key, a bracelet gift from a waitress and a scoop of ice cream for breakfast from the iHOP staff. Be you Sam - because you is pretty damn amazing.
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