10 things right now

Went to bed last night with no idea for the next day's post. I hoped something would come to me, maybe a vivid dream or drifting-off-to-sleep ah-ha moment. Nothing. Getting the second oldest off to his SATs today gave me no great inspiration (not much to tell about my SAT scores, obviously). Desperate to think of something (it would kill me to wait throughout the day for inspiration, feeling too much like procrastination), I turned to the writers at Slice of Life to see if an idea would pop off the page. It worked. Today's post started with the idea for 10 Things Right Now. Bingo! But if I'm supposed to write to one child, which one do I pick? I considered making this a series of 8 posts, one for each child. Maybe I still will.  In the meantime, here are 10 Things Right Now to Victor, the one in whom you are most interested and the one from whom I will not need permission before posting.

1. You are almost 11 months old. They say times goes quickly and it's true. First you're a baby and then you're in college. When you're a NICU baby and you and your mom don't come home until you're 3 months old, those next 9 months until your birthday fly even faster.

2. You weigh 18 lb. 12 oz. Makes 1 lb. 13 oz. seem like a lifetime ago. In baby years, I guess it was.

3. You can sit for 15-20 minutes at a time.

4. You don't have teeth yet but are a fan of almost all foods. With some work and guidance, you're even learning to use your hands to find food on your tray and get it to your mouth. Sippy cup? Took to it like a champ, just as you did with that first bottle so long ago.

5.  You have two great therapists!

6.  You are rarely alone and many fights break out over you. "Can I hold him next?" "Can I have him now?" "Do you need me to take him?"

7.  You have hopefully had your last RSV shot (anti-vaccinators, no hate mail, please), depending on the RSV season in this area. Your health this winter has been miraculous despite your prematurity. Only one, very minor cold for you. Your siblings, all with much better developed immune systems, didn't fare as well.

8.  You exercise regularly. I don't know if any of us could do as many crunches per day as you can manage.  Jumping contests? You'd win those hands-down.

9.  You are loud! Happy, but loud. When you're frustrated with physical therapy or being asked to do something you don't want to do, you growl. Yes, you growl. And we laugh.

10. You are loved! Could a baby be loved by so many people? So many wonderful people follow your progress. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Thanks to all who have followed Victor's story from the very beginning. As we approach Victor's first birthday, the anniversary of that first email asking if we'd consider a micro preemie, and a year since we first saw his tiny, perfect body, I am filled with awe. God is good. All the time. All the time. God is good.