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Family Matters· Milestones· MVP Awards· Preemie Stuff

The Very Hungry (sometimes angry) Caterpillar

“The mightiest oak began as a tough little nut that just held it’s ground.”

Our tough little nut turned 1 last weekend. We celebrated in the most perfect way Tucker’s 365 days. It was. Poignant. Triumphant. Beautiful. For a moment, sad. But mostly perfect. When T was in the NICU we read the Very Hungry Caterpillar book to him nearly every day. It was a story fitting for a preemie. About a very tiny newborn caterpillar who bursts forth on a Sunday morning and is, very…well, hungry. He eats his way through the book, through all sorts of fun and sometimes mismatched foods. All the while getting bigger and stronger until the end of the book when he has grown into a big fat caterpillar and finally (spoiler alert) turns into a beautiful butterfly.

After we read the book to our little caterpillar in the NICU we would remind him to eat and grow just the same-that we needed him to be a big, fat caterpillar so we could take him home. So. There was little hesitation as to what Tucker’s first birthday theme would be. And to his delight  dismay, we found a Hungry Caterpillar hat. (thank you JoAn).

We have given Tucker an awful lot in his first 365 days. Prayer, Positive Thoughts, Support, Protection, Medical Care, Love. But I took a moment, on his birthday to reflect on what he’s given to us. By being so unbelievably fragile yet so subtlety mighty.

So. Tucker, as you read this in the years to come-I want you to know that you gave us some pretty amazing gifts too. In the midst of what seemed and felt like a crisis (and was, truthfully), you gave your mama and daddy some mighty gifts that we’ll carry with us forever.

  • Courage to hope
  • Strength beyond understanding
  • Total and complete surrender to God
  • Celebration of the commonly overlooked gifts of life
  • Boldness in prayer
  • Abandonment of perfection
  • Compassion without pity
  • Unspeakable joy
  • Laughter through tears (mama’s favorite emotion)

You’re a tough little nut. What the next 365 days will bring, we can’t begin to guess or plan (another lesson we’ve learned) but we’ll take it. Whatever it is. It is a gift too. That, we understand fully and completely. So…Year 2, here we come! Down. Set. Hike. And just throwing this out there-we would be 100% ok with a low key, less roller coaster-y, alarm-less, more party, less isolation Year 2.

Now. You’re gonna need to grab yourself some coffee or hot chocolate because what follows is a obscene amount of pictures from Tucker’s birthday. It was all adults (stupid isolation) but I still went a little overboard. T was a little overwhelmed by the 9 people that were there. That is, after all, as many people as he’s seen at one time-Ever. They were all people that love him dearly and prayed for him intently this year.

Our little guy didn’t get to eat cake (he’s not eating solid foods yet) but he got some icing and loved it. And we froze a big section of cake for him to eat very soon hopefully. He had a ball crawling through his caterpillar tunnel (thank you Fikes!), he stared at us stone faced (seriously not a solitary smile) when we sang Happy Birthday,  and he burst into tears a few times-like a genuine 1 year old.  It was a good, good day.

Settle in. Enjoy his day with us. We did.

Tucker was about 2.5 months old here. He was almost 3 pounds.

Tucker was about 2.5 months old here. He was almost 3 pounds.

Tucker 365

Tucker 365

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I love this boy.

I love this boy.

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Look at my new teeth!

Look at my new teeth!

We took cookies to the NICU nurses. We owe them a lot more than cookies...

We took cookies to the NICU nurses. We owe them a lot more than cookies…

 

I. Love. This. Cake.

I. Love. This. Cake.

We bought this blanket for T when we brought him home from the NICU

We bought this blanket for T when we brought him home from the NICU

Pinned up all the things from our stay in the NICU. His first outfit, his footprints from the day he was born, the diapers he wore (and had to fold over, they were still too big), all the stuff we taped to his isolette.

Pinned up all the things from our stay in the NICU. His first outfit, his footprints from the day he was born, the diapers he wore (and had to fold over, they were still too big), all the stuff we taped to his isolette.

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Thank you Noah for letting me borrow this awesome caterpillar tunnel! I would've tried it myself if only the opening had been a smidge bigger. By smidge I mean 7 times bigger.

Thank you Noah for letting me borrow this awesome caterpillar tunnel! I would’ve tried it myself if only the opening had been a smidge bigger. By smidge I mean 7 times bigger.

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Yep. This will absolutely be going in Tucker's pre-wedding slide show in 30 years.

Yep. This will absolutely be going in Tucker’s pre-wedding slide show in 30 years.

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Birthday? Meh...

Birthday? Meh…

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This was Tucker's actual footprint from the day he was born. A little bigger than the size of a quarter.

This was Tucker’s actual footprint from the day he was born. A little bigger than the size of a quarter.

Me and uncle Matthew

Me and uncle Matthew

My primary nurse, Kayla. Who spoils me beyond belief.

My primary nurse, Kayla. Who spoils me beyond belief.

Me and Suz. She was there the night I was born, praying in the waiting room with my family.

Me and Suz. She was there the night I was born, praying in the waiting room with my family.

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I'm sorry, are you touching my present??

I’m sorry, are you touching my present??

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Totally not impressed by the Hungry Caterpillar Jack in the Box that we got him.

Totally not impressed by the Hungry Caterpillar Jack in the Box that we got him.

Ladies. Take turns, you can all ride in my new swagger wagon. Thank you Uncle T and Auntie Jenny.

Ladies. Take turns, you can all ride in my new swagger wagon. Thank you Uncle T and Auntie Jenny.

A very sweet gift from my mom (Tucker's nana). She wrote a letter to him starting the night he was born and every few weeks after, while he was in the hospital and after he came home. They are sealed with the date she wrote them, for him to open one day.

A very sweet gift from my mom (Tucker’s nana). She wrote a letter to him starting the night he was born and every few weeks after, while he was in the hospital and after he came home. They are sealed with the date she wrote them, for him to open one day.

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Auntie Jenny, Kayla and Liz (who brought me Prices Chicken Coop when we were in the hospital. More than once).

Auntie Jenny, Kayla and Liz (who brought me Prices Chicken Coop when we were in the hospital. More than once).

My awesome new chair from nana and papa

My awesome new chair from nana and papa

This diaper was too big for Tucker for many weeks. You can tell by the size of the clothespin how small it is.

This diaper was too big for Tucker for many weeks. You can tell by the size of the clothespin how small it is.

And that's a wrap.

And that’s a wrap..

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03.17.13 12 Comments

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Comments

  1. Andrea says

    March 18, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Awesome! Happy Birthday, Tucker! Wow – what a great day. I loved your decorations and theme. I read Jax The Very Hungry Caterpillar every day while he was in the NICU, too! It’s such a fitting theme for our strong boys. As always, thanks for the post. I find myself looking forward to them!!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 19, 2013 at 11:55 am

      Andrea, thank you! Isn’t that the best book for preemies? I love it! Hi to cute Jax!! And thank you for saying such nice things!

  2. Ashley Mclanahan says

    March 18, 2013 at 9:55 am

    I am such a fan! I would read every post with tears, smiles and awe even if I did not know you! You amaze me on so very many levels. I love this celebration of Mr. Big Stuffs 365 days! I just love every single detail! It is all fit for glossy spread in a issue of Martha Stewart ! Thank you so much for letting us peek into your sweet celebrations of the God’s mighty blessings!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 18, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Ashley! Can’t wait to see you soon and of course thank you AGAIN for all the kind words and support. We had a good, good day and I loved it! Countdown begins!

  3. Heather L says

    March 17, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    Happy Birthday Tucker! What a wonderful celebration of his first 365 days! I can’t remember how I found your blog, but I’m glad I did. I look forward to hearing more about the great things Tucker will do! P.S. I’m momma to a 2.5 yr old 28 weeker, Jack.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 18, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Hi Heather! So glad you found my blog too! Just peeked at your blog and how cute your little Jack is!? Love it!! Thanks for following Tucker’s story and for the Happy Birthday wishes!

  4. Ann Robinson says

    March 17, 2013 at 3:45 pm

    This birthday is a wonder answer to our prayers. Tucker is so blessed to have been born into your family and you are truly blessed to be his parents!

    Thank you for allowing us to be part of this wonderful journey!

    Carr and Robinson Cousins

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 17, 2013 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you for all your prayers this year! God has certainly blessed us mightily!

  5. Kim says

    March 17, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    As a NICU nurse myself this post brought tears to my eyes! To see these precious miracles grow and thrive is the most rewarding part of my job, it is what gets every NICU nurse through hard days/nights! Seeing these precious babies celebrate their first birthday is a feeling that words cannot describe! Happy Birthday Tucker!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 17, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      We love NICU nurses and I am so glad that you are able to see your handiwork! I am so happy to share Tucker’s happy story with the NICU!

  6. Vinnie says

    March 17, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    The narrative was beautiful and all those pictures were great!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      March 17, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks, as always Vinnie!

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Who Is This Rookie?

I don't trust people who don't like sweets. Monica Gellar is my spirit animal. I work. I write. I mom. I pray. I wife. I eat. I go. First kid was born at 24 weeks and spent 151 days in the NICU-well that didn't go as planned. He fought and we cheered. I started writing during that time. Second kid was born on a Thursday night-her birthmom's hand in mine both of us crying happy tears. You'll find posts here about cheesecake, adoption, kindergarten shenanigans, hard stuff, Dolly Parton and whatever else I want. And you'll like it young lady. Thanks for reading. I always love adding to the team. Especially if you bring team snacks.

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