Happy Birthday, Robert!!

This is getting posted a day late because we had such a fun (and exhausting!) afternoon and evening at the lake. Robert is 12! Every year that we celebrate his birthday, I am reminded of how very miraculous it is that he is still with us. For those that do not know, Robert was born at only 25 weeks. Yes, our July baby was due in November! His birth weight was 1lb, 10 oz, and he was 13 inches from head to heel. This picture was taken by his Grandma Ferguson when he was around five days old- he weighed 1lb, 5oz when this picture was taken (please forgive the poor quality of the scan... it is an old picture!)

Most people have never seen a preemie THIS small, except maybe on TV. For reference, the yellow material under his head is a newborn size t-shirt rolled up a little under his neck. This not only supported his head, but also the vent. The padding underneath his bottom and legs is an unfolded preemie diaper. His Daddy's size 10 wedding ring easily fit around his arm with room to spare. At the point in time that this picture was taken, they were still only giving him about a 15% chance of making it at all. We were not allowed to hold him, and were discouraged from even touching him. He was two weeks old the first time we were allowed to hold him, and that was only for as long as it took for the nurse to change out his bedding. It wasn't until he was two months old and off the vent that we could just walk in and pick up our baby.

But look how he's grown!

It is hard to believe that our "baby" is twelve years old! Happy Birthday, Robert. Thank you for all the fun and love you bring into our family. God made miracles happen to bring and keep you here. He must have big plans for you! I pray that you will continue to grow into a fine young man. We all love you!

God bless!