Happy Birthday Q!

Almost 14 months into her life, I remember I should probably write a little Happy Birthday blog to my Q.  You came into this world with a bang.  You gave your mommy and I some scares and some bumps in the road.  But the most important thing is you've been a blessing to our life.

As I may have told you earlier, mommy had quite the scare with her appendix bursting, however we survived it.  The next couple of weeks though were interesting in itself.  We got home on a Wednesday from Bemidji in a winter storm.  Mommy couldn't do much as she was told to rest as she just had a major surgery.  The fun part though was we were moving into our new house in a week. When we did move, the weather was very cold but thankfully we had many friends and family members helping us out.

Monday after we were in the new house, mommy went to work but she didn't feel the greatest. She called her doctor and she said to head downtown to get  monitored. After a couple hours, all was fine but knowing what we went through with the surgery, we knew that it would be interesting all the way until your due date of January 30th. Or so we thought. Friday that week (December 20th), we prepared for your Auntie Alison to come to town and daddy was going to go to the Bison football playoff game with Grandpa Duane. However, mommy went to get checked and her doctor said she needed to get monitored again. She was having signs of labor and it was quite scary. Auntie Cole picked up your sisters while mommy and daddy were at the hospital. Mommy wasn't too happy with daddy though cause he really wanted to go to the Bison game, and all she wanted was to be resting. Once mommy got the labor settled down, she was able to go home and so we did.  Once everyone was in bed, daddy went to the rest of the football game and then get Auntie Alison to our house. After everyone got home, Daddy and Grandpa and Auntie Alison went to bed.

Mommy woke up at about 4:30 in the morning.  Something wasn't right.  She realized that her water broke.  We called the hospital and told the nurses we had to come in.  Daddy got up Auntie Alison and Grandpa and said we were going to the hospital.  We didn't know what was going to happen. When we arrived, the nurse checked mommy and said she needed to go to a room right away. Mommy got into a bed and she wasn't feeling very good.  She was getting a fever and throwing up.  It was quite scary to watch. The doctor came into the room and checked on mommy. He then told us that with mommy having a fever there was a chance for infection.  So to save you and mommy, it was time to get you out.  We didn't know if you were a boy or a girl. There was so many things going on that we just weren't ready for you to come into the world. You decided you wanted to see us 6 weeks early and were tired of being in mommy's tummy.

As soon as the doctor snapped his fingers, everyone on the hospital floor got mommy ready to go and took her to the room for your delivery. Daddy was really scared.  He called his friends at 6:30 in the morning to tell him how scared he was and to pray for you and mommy. All I could think about was I hope you and your mommy are ok.  Soon though, a nurse came in and told me that we had another girl and I could come see you. Because you were 6 weeks early, you had to stay in the NICU at the hospital. Once I laid my eyes on you, I was very happy, but I was still worried about your mommy.

From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were mine.

I had to escort you to your home in the hospital for the next few days and sign all kinds of paperwork. I was still worried about your mommy as she was still sleeping from her surgery to get you out. She finally woke up and I was able to go see her. The nurses did an excellent job with her and you to make sure you were all comfortable. Soon we were able to wheel your mom to see you for the first time. She was so happy to know you were ok. Your aunties and uncles all came to the hospital to see you. Grandma and Grandpas also came and so did your sisters. Since you were in the NICU, we had to wash our hands for a long time to come visit you.  You were such a fighter though.  They only needed to keep you on oxygen for a couple of days. Then you had to be put on a bilipad to get your bilirubin levels and you had to gain a little weight in order to go home. December 29th came, and you got to go home. We were so happy to be at home as a family again.

Mommy and Daddy were glad to be with you in the hospital.

Our family of 5 not too long after Q arrived.

As you are now a year old, we went through quite a bit. Some day I'll explain to you your first year and how mommy and daddy went through a lot for you. We are proud of you for your will to keep being strong and fighting.