A Birthday Boy

Eli is two. TWO!

He was born on a Monday, a very cold Monday in Salt Lake City at 1:25 in the afternoon. I only had to push once, and if Matt and the Doctor hadn't hurried they probably would have missed the experience! (Both were on lunch break.)

Eli was 7 pounds 6 ounces, and 20 inches long.

I was able to hold Eli a few seconds before he was handed off to University of Utah NICU. About an hour later the Primary Childrens Medical Center Life Flight Team came and brought him by for 10 minutes. There I was able to hold him some more, and Isaac whispered: "Bebe E-i."

Matt looking at me holding Eli for the first time

Eli being passed through a window in the delivery room to NICU

Me, weeping after Eli is taken to the NICU

Eli stopping by before being taken to Primary Childrens

First picture of our family of four

Matt followed the Flight Team to Primary Childrens, and I was moved to a recovery. A snow storm started. We spent most of our day with Eli in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Both sets of his grandparents were able to be there with him. Oh, and aunts too!

That night around 9pm I sneaked out of my room in University of Utah hospital, and by myself went and spent more time with Eli in the PICU. I held him, and cried a little bit. He was so beautiful, and so sweet. I would have given anything for him to be healthy and whole, but I tried to cherish every little moment.

And for 4 days, that is just what we did. (His heart surgery was at 5 days old.)

Eli, on his birthday

3 days old

Happy Birthday, Eli Bud! We love you so much!

You've come a long way in the last two years,

but try to keep yourself in one piece till at least adulthood...