Happy First Birthday, Viviana!!!!!

My computer is in computerland hospital...so I can't access my photos to do a nice photo journey for this post. I'll have to add them later....
so for now...

From this:

To this....in just one year:

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

and no, that's not the same beanie!
And yes! Those are two adorable front teeth!

....I couldn't see this day a year ago. I still can't believe a year has come and gone. And what a year it has been! How thankful I am for our last sweet daughter. As I look back, I'm thankful I can cuddle her at will, give hugs and kisses o'plenty and hear her sweet giggles in return. I'm thankful for her strong personality (yes, another one) because I believe it's her fighting spirit along with the grace of God that has allowed her to be here today. And not just 'be' here....she does it with flying colors and we all stand in awe of Viviana. Check out how her diaper size has changed too! the tiny one was actually overwhelmingly large on her when she was born. She had a little bird bottom! And the other one is her current size 3 that are even getting a bit snug...

She has overcome Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP--you know, the eye problem), Hemangiomatosis with hepatic involvement (you know, the potential liver problem) which has involuted almost completely---one lone lesion left on her liver...hundreds have gone away. The problematic skin hemangiomas will either be lasered or cut off at some point in the future. The Pulmonologist said 'absolutely not' to putting her under with a general to have another MRI of her brain and at the same time taking care of these external lesions. So we'll revisit that in 3-6 months. Her chronic lung disease still kicks her when she's down, but that won't last forever, and developmentally??? Well, she kicks fanny! We couldn't be more OVERJOYED with Viviana's progress in just one year.

She weighs in at 18 lbs, 28 1/2 inches long. (she started at 1 lb. 12 oz., 14 inches long)

She's babbling. She's a big daddy fan and let's him know it constantly.

She has a scream when she's tired that sounds like a little teradactyl dinosaur....or what we imagine one to sound like anyway.

She has many nicknames. Vivs, Vivie, and YummyAna....because she's so yummy to look at and kiss all over.

She has a smile that brightens the room--she also smiles with her eyes.

She's a really great bubble-blower and raspberry kisser.

She loves her supersaucer. She loves making noises and bouncing in it...or pretty much bouncing and babbling anywhere!

She's scooting all over and gets up on all fours, but hasn't quite figured out how to be coordinated yet.

She loves her food. Mostly she loves playing in her food.

She adores her siblings. Her world rises and sets with them.

She loves having her face tickled. She loves human touch---always has.

Her first two (bottom) teeth grew in two weeks ago...

She still loves sleeping with Mom & Dad....or maybe it's the other way around :) shhh, don't tell!

She gets head-turns and ooohs & ahhhs everywhere we go. I should just start saying "I know" when people tell me how beautiful she is. Although she always had delicate and very pretty features as a 1 lb. 12 oz micro preemie, she's come a long way and found her chub....we LOVE it!

I was just going through the journal I kept while in the hospital with her and through her journey and had forgotten that she dipped down to 1 lb. 7 oz. at her smallest. My hand overwhelmed the size of her head....it was about the size of a baseball.

She is my reminder that life is sacred. I cannot speak of Viviana's life and my hallowing experiences bringing her into this world without absolutely rejoicing in the tender mercies my Heavenly Father has shown me. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." I think that's my favorite quote and summarizes my tender feelings about life....my so very tender feelings about my Viviana Faith.

I don't ever want to forget the feelings I experienced during the 'trial' of my life bringing Vivie into this world. I have always been able to say it was truly a sweet experience despite the anguish I felt along the way. What an absolute joy you are! You add so much to our family and you'll always be my little miracle. I'm so blessed and privileged to be your mother. Happy Happy Birthday, my dear sweet Viviana Faith!