Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Gracie!!!!

You made it baby, you made it to your 1st birthday, you are my hero!! There were days where we honestly didn't know if you would make it through the night, but you always pulled through and surprised us all. It is amazing that after all you have been through you can still smile and laugh.
I know I post so many pictures and many times they look very similar, but these ones are my favorites from our most recent 'photo shot.' I feel like each of these photos shows a different side of my Gracie girl.

Gracie still lags behind quite drastically compared to other one year olds and even to many of her heart buddies who were born around the same time as her, but she is doing wonderfully considering spending almost an accumulated 6 months of her life in the hospital.
Grace is sitting up with support and absolutely loves her jumper, it is hilarious to see her get excited while in it, she just goes wild. Though she isn't eating much more than formula, she loves to suck on cheese puffs and carrots until she gets some on the back of her tongue and gags on it.
She still hates tummy time and putting weight on her legs, but we can get her to do almost anything when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on---she gets into a zone, kicks her legs in excitement and talks to the TV (I'll have to get video of it).
Though this year has been extremely hard and stressful and at times almost more than we could handle, we would go through it all over again just to have our sweet Gracie girl with us smiling and flashing her beautiful all encompassing eyes at us.
Grace, we hope this next year is filled with so much more joy and happiness and a lot less time at Primary's.





14 comments:

Cammie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LITTLE GRACIE!!!
Beautiful pictures. We love you soooo much!!

Aimee Hardy said...

Happy Birthday Gracie! You are such an amazing girl. We are so happy that you are doing so well and hope you continue to get bigger and stronger every day. Pretty soon you and Jack are going to be getting into all kinds of trouble at heart camp together. We can't wait.

Christina said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful milestone. I hope you guys have a wonderful day celebrating.

Hugs & Prayers,
Christina
Jacob's Momma

Em said...

Happy Happy Sweet Birthday Gracie! We love you more than you will ever know and you have brought this family hope and happiness! Here's to MANY more birthdays!
Love,
Aunt Em, Uncle Mike, and Lilly, Ryker, and Collin!!!

Kristine said...

Happy HAPPY birthday Gracie!! What a great post to read. :)

Me said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Oh my goodness! Such a huge milestone! I am so proud of you gracie you are an amazing little daughter of God. Keep smiling and Deanna don't you worry about the delays she will catch up in her own time.(I need to take my own advice also) Have a wonderful, beautiful, magical day! Eat lots and lots of cake for me!!

Douglas Lai said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE! Love your latest pics.
Erica

carolyn q said...

Yippee! Happy Happy Birthday Grace. You have been such a little fighter and an inspiration to so many. I can only imagine what you will be like when you are a teenager because of the amazing determination you have already exibited in your young life. . watch out Mom and Dad!
I hope you have a wonderful day.
(HUGS)

Jami said...

Happy birthday, Gracie! Deana, I don't know if you remember me, but I took care of your sweet and beautiful Gracie a few times. There can never be too many pictures - she is absolutely adorable with that toothy grin! For how sick she has been in the past, this birthday is a MAJOR accomplishment. Way to go, Gracie!

One Happy Heart Family said...

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY GRACIE GIRL! We are so excited for you!!! Hope you had a WONDERFUL day!!!!
Lots of heart loves,
The Taylors

Hollie said...

Happy Birthday Gracie!! What a roller coaster ride this first year has been, but you endured it well! Here's to hoping for many more (uneventful,please) years to come!
Hugs and kisses!
Hollie, Ben and Elaina

JENNY said...

Happy Birthday Gracie! She such a doll!

lori said...

We love you Grace! Happy Birthday!!!!

Summer said...

Happy Happy Birthday!! Yeah for Gracie!!! What a huge accomplishment!



Love, Mason's Mommy