"For Tricia"

As I've mentioned before, I've really enjoyed getting to know other families who have also had extended hospital stays with their children. So far, I've only mentioned other "heart baby" families, but another family that I follow daily (well more realistically, several times a day!) is Nate, Tricia & Gwyneth. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and is in the hospital awaiting a double-lung transplant after having an emergency c-section 2 months ago to give birth to little Gwyneth at 24 weeks gestation. You can read more details about their story by visiting their website (see link on right). On Nate's website, he has encouraged all the blogging moms to make a list for Tricia about what they may often take for granted with their own kids and what they can't wait for Tricia to get to experience with her daughter Gwyneth once they are all back home together.

So Tricia and Nate, here's my list (my son's only 7 months TODAY so I'm still learning about motherhood!). I try to not take any of these things for granted because of all we've been through but also, knowing that you're going through even more and other heart babies we've known have also been through alot more than we've experienced too.

I can't wait for you to experience...
- feeding her a bottle for the first time
- finally coming home from the hospital (we were in the hospital for 28 days so I can only imagine the long wait you're experiencing)
- her baby dedication at church
- sleeping in the same room, getting woken up at every little peep she makes
- the first time she sleeps through the night (but you don't because you wonder if she's ok because she hasn't woken up at all)
- her first bath and all the water you get to clean up afterwards from all her splashing
- watching the grandparents enjoy spending time with her, making her laugh, get re-acquainted with diaper changes, bottle feeding, etc.
- hearing her laugh for the first time
- playing peek-a-boo
- being there to hug her and comfort her when she cries (especially after getting shots)
- eating baby food for the first time and watching the faces she makes
- having her spill your entire glass of ice cold water on both of you as you're out to eat (happened twice at the same meal last weekend!) then throwing up all over you as you walk to the car - all I could do was laugh - it was almost too crazy to be true, but at least I could be thankful that I had my baby in my life in the first place!
- family snuggle time on the couch (pets included!)
- shopping for bigger sized clothes and diapers because that means your baby is growing!
- watching her be entertained by the dog that's running all around the house
- watching her learn to sit up on her own
- all those toothless grins at you
- having "staring contests" & having her win every time because she can't take her eyes off you!
- having people comment on what a cute baby you have, but then cringing when they touch her hands and she immediately sticks them in her mouth - who knows what germs she just picked up and praying she doesn't get sick from it!
- watching her put EVERYTHING in her mouth and cringing about what germs she must be picking up (after been in the hospital and having to wash hands/use hand sanitizer so frequently, we quickly became germaphobes for the first time in our lives!)
- reading Bible stories and saying prayers together before bedtime

This list could go on and on but these are just a few of my favorites that I've experienced so far! Praise God for every moment we've had with our little guy and for all the many more we have yet to experience as we watch him grow - children really are a gift from God!

- and one more I just thought of... creating your own list once you have your own experiences!