The miracles are turning ONE!!

Can't believe it's been almost a year already since our NICU ride began.....we sure went through a whole lot of stuff, and continue to go through things.....but thankfully, it's pretty much a distant memory that I will never ever forget...and an experience that through all the heartache and tears and amazingly proud mommy moments, has made me a better, stronger and more grateful person!

Baby Katea will be one year old next month, on September 26th.....I can hardly believe it.  A lot of her NICU buddies are already turning one.  It's a real blessing to be able to celebrate such a HUGE milestone with all these little miracles.

The First NICU buddy birthday party we were invited to was for Mr. Callen VanHise.....he was born @ 24 weeks gestation just like baby Katea....and he's amazing!  He was only 1 pound when he was born....and just like baby Katea, his parents didn't know if he was going to make it.  The NICU ride was rough, but like I said, he's amazing and he did!  He was off oxygen before he even left the NICU, which was amazing in itself.....and he's eating and growing and smiling and interacting just like he should be.  He's such a cutie pie!  He was actually Katea's neighbor in the NICU for his last couple weeks before he got to go home....that was back in December, and now he's ONE!!  He turned 1 in July and had a little pool party birthday party.  I was so glad they invited us, we wouldn't have missed it for the world!  :)

Katea & Callen....NICU buddies.....24 week miracles

We got to see Laura, one of Callen's primary nurses....who took care of baby Katea a few times too :)

Little Miss Charly Bella was the second NICU buddy miracle who turned one.  I just love little Charly, and her mama Angie......she's just something extra special.  Charly was also born at 24 weeks, weighing only 1 pound at birth.....and she actually spent the first 5 months of her life in the hospital.  She faced a lot of challenges and struggles, but if you look at her beautiful little face....she's such a miracle.  She's so beautiful and so strong.  Her story is amazing, and you can find it on her mom's blog right HERE!  Charly and Katea never actually met in the NICU....Charly was born a couple months before Katea, and even though she was born at the same hospital, she was transferred up to Primary Children's NICU before Katea was born.....I fell upon her mom's blog while Katea was still in the NICU and spent one whole night while I was visiting baby in the NICU to read her whole entire blog from the beginning to the end.  I found so much strength in the words that were jumping off that page at me, and I felt like I needed to contact her to let her know.  She contacted me right back and we've been really good friends ever since.  We shared somewhat of the same experiences with our little miracles, but even more than that.....I just love Angie.  She's the perfect example of faith strength and unconditional love....and there's absolutely nothing she won't do for her little Charly.  She inspires me, she's such a wonderful person!

She had a pool party for Charly's first birthday, they rented out the Kearns Rec outdoor pool.  I took all my kids and that was the first time that Katea and Charly got to meet.  It was the sweetest thing, because as we sat them togther to take a picture, they were holding hands.  I'm a crybaby and was trying to hold back my tears....it was just a really special moment for me, and I couldn't help but think that these two little miracles were good friends in heaven and they knew they were going to come into this world like they did...and they were going to fight hard...and make it....and meet and be best friends :) 

Katea & Charly Bella......"Besties".......24 week miracles

With their NNP (Neonatal Nurse Practicioner) Joanna Johnson that took care of both of them in the NICU

Happy Happy Birthday Callen & Charly Bella....one year down....many many more to come!  :)