Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Wordless Wednesday - Reflection

Undeniably – Wordless Wednesdays are supposed to be “wordless,” but today I must reflect and give thanks. My birthday falls tomorrow, August 2. And, rather than celebrate my “mature” state, I must give thanks for what was given to me just days after my birthday last year. Our dear baby boy was born on August 8 and last year on my birthday, unbeknownst to me, I was in preterm labor.

Our son Elliot was born two months premature, weighing in at just over a miniscule 4 pounds. Upon first glance, I was devastated…but only by his tiny demeanor. He was whisked away so hurriedly that I barely did catch a glance. Later in the day we heard that he had an “issue,” a “problem” as the doctors defined it. Turns out that what the physicians referred to as a “problem” was a diagnosis of Down syndrome. To say that I was stunned was an understatement. We heard the “news” over a family member’s cellular telephone as we sat in the hospital across town. As the days and the months passed, I slowly began to realize that his diagnosis was not a predicament, a quandary nor a “problem” at all, but a blessing in disguise.

Although initially shrouded with the off-putting words of our deafening medical community, wee Elliot has brought nothing but love into our family…our household and into our lives. The odds that he defied are amazing and the strength that he exhibits daily is remarkable. Elliot is simply a cherub. And my, how he has grown. So today, in what should be a wordless state, I must communicate my thoughts instead. I love my baby boy so much more than words can express, and these two photos will hopefully show others the beauty that he reveals daily…both a year ago and today.

For more on Wordless Wednesday, click here.



13 comments:

Jessica said...

Happy birthday Michelle and happy early birthday Elliot!

Anonymous said...

you are so blessed--and Happy Birthday!!

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Happy Birthday - what a trip down memory lane. You are very blessed indeed and so is Elliot to have such a wonderful mother!

Christina M said...

Happy Birthday to the Birthday gang!

Write From Karen said...

Oh my heart goes out to you! My oldest son was 8 weeks premature too and was 4 12. So I KNOW about the emotional roller coaster of that experience.

He does indeed look like a sweet boy. He also looks very proud of his hat. *smile* Happy early birthday, little guy.

Write From Karen
http://take2max.com/blog/?p=1974

... said...

what a darling little boy. i'm sure he is a blessing to all who know him.

Anonymous said...

Michelle,

I cruised on over to your site from Big Blueberry Eyes. I was interested in your site b/c of it's name - my husband and I have a wee one named Elliott James! He was born in March 2006 and is the light of our lives. I hope baby Elliot has a very happy first birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Michelle!! Elliot is blessed to have you as his mom!

Shannon @ Gabi's World said...

Gosh! He was and is soooo cute!

Amy said...

Happy Birthday! What a wonderful birthday present for you. He is such a doll.

jenjerjack said...

Happy belated birthday. Your little guy sure has come a long way in the last year!! I too had a preemie. Jackson was born 9 weeks early weighing in at 2 lbs 5 1/2 ounces so i know how that roller coaster goes. You are very blessed to have such a cutie!! Enjoy him!! :o)

The Mom said...

What a wonderful wordless Wed. post - and the words are wonderful! Happy Belated Brithday and Elliot is the best birthday present anyone could ever wish for :)

Unknown said...

How precious! You are quite fortunate..

~smiles~