We spent the weeks leading up to their birthday taking lots of walks and reminiscing--thinking back to when my water broke, when we were relegated to the hospital, and when we really didn't know if the girls were going to live . . . or not. It was hard to think back to that time, physically and emotionally, but we are so grateful to have that behind us.
We are also so grateful, every single day, to have our little munchkins with us, happy and, for the most part, amazingly healthy. We are acutely aware of just how lucky we are, and also acutely aware of the fact that so many parents have had to suffer a different outcome, either from prematurity or a diaphragmatic hernia or both. We really, really wish we could change that.
On a lighter note, here's a little rundown of the girls' actual birthday: They woke up in the a.m. to a few nicely wrapped presents:
Zoe found this whole idea very exciting:
Then we all went to the zoo, where the elephants, tigers and giraffes were all a very big hit!
Then we went home and had cupcakes:
Well, actually, Sadie had a cupcake, Zoe just played with hers. She's developed quite the oral aversion since her last surgery, so we are working very hard to get her to take food by mouth. As anyone who is a parent of a child with an oral aversion knows, this is a very long, difficult process, that just takes time. That being said, Zoe is doing better and better every day, and we are so proud of her.
After cupcakes we took another walk, then read the girls stories and put them to bed. It was, in the end, the most perfect day ever!
Happy Birthday Sadie and Zoe!
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
