Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Happiest Day of My Life

For most parents, the happiest day of their life is the day their child was born. I struggled with this for a time. Knowing that I wouldn't honestly count January 21, 2008 as the happiest day of my life. In fact, it was one of the scariest, most stressful days. So, I guess I could fake it to fit in w/ the norm or because admitting it, esp. on the blog, makes me worry that one day Avery might read that and misunderstand exactly what I mean. But, I'm going to go out on a limb and just.be.honest. The happiest day of my life was 2 years ago - March 18, 2008. The day I carried Avery out of the NICU. The day there were no more monitors to look at, no worrying when those numbers went too high or too low or there was a beep, beep, beep. No more asking when or if I could hold Avery. No more obsessing about whether she gained an ounce. I was finally a mom. A real mom that gets to feed her baby when she wants, when she knows her baby is hungry! A mom that can hold that baby all.day.long. So that is exactly what we did. I really don't think she slept in her crib or got laid down at all that first day. We just all breathed her in and got to really know her. What a magnificient day it was. I remember going into her nursery when she was in the NICU. We left a twin size bed in there and I would lay on it and just look at her crib and imagine that she was sleeping there. Such a simple, silly imagination but so far away in my head. Until that day. March 18, 2008 will always be the happiest day of my life. I hope I can add to that list, but for now, that is the one. A close second was my wedding day, but still no comparison to bringing our little miracle home! Oh, how we love you Avery Grace! Who could have known how much joy you'd bring us in 2 short years...I can't even imagine the fun things we'll do in the years ahead of us!

7 comments:

Nicki Kennon said...

Love this post!Tear.

The Four Week Vegan said...

I remember totally breaking down the day before my guy was released from the NICU - I was so scared to bring him home. He was safe in the NICU and was coming home with one of those apnea monitors which scared me too. The actual day of release was a little tense for me, but thankfully all went well. He was only in the NICU 10 days though.

Penny said...

I think, especially when she becomes a mom, she will totally get this! :)
Really sweet post.

Cristi said...

Goodness gracious. I cant seem to stop the tears from flowing. Beautiful post. What a great day! 3/18! I remember Dad and I left to get some breakfast and were going to try and find a bonnet. But as we finished our meal you called - SHE WAS COMING HOME! Forget the bonnet we dashed back to get you guys. Then I remember when we got to the house. The little Reeves family arrived first and when I walked in, you three were in there in her beautiful nursery that had been waiting for 59 days, seeing as how we finished it the day before she was born. I nearly broke down seeing the three of you standing there by her crib. What an amazing miraculous gift we were all given and will never forget. Great Post! Love you.

DC said...

Happy 'Coming Home' Day to Avery!

Beth E. said...

This is such a sweet post...it brought tears to my eyes!

Praising God, celebrating this wonderful day with you...

arielrushing said...

I actually came to your blog because I wanted to see Avery's Easter pictures and just kept reading...I love your blog. Anyway, I just had this thought the other day. The day that I felt like I officially was a mom was the day the twins came home from the NICU. It was incredible! I remember riding (very unsafely) turned almost completely around the whole way home because I couldn't stop looking at MY babies. It's weird how to the NICU seems to prolong all those new mom experiences. So glad those days are long behind us. :)