Happy FIRST Birthday To Our Baby Boy

Dear Nolan,

Today we celebrate your first birthday. Only 3 short weeks ago we were leaving Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Your first year of life has been a roller coaster that most people will never experience in a lifetime. Because of many prayers, an amazing team of doctorOs, nurses and therapists...and last, but most important, your donor and their family, you are here celebrating this day. Seven months ago your dad and I could not promise that you would see this day...ande we are! We look forward to many more to come.

You were born on a Friday afternoon, April 12, 2013, at Williamsport Regional Medical Center. I went into preterm labor at 33 weeks and April 12 was the 5th day at the hospital and my 34th week of pregnancy. It was time for you to come into the world, we could wait no longer. You were perfect in every way! You had a head full to dark hair and a good cry! Because you were early we were afraid you may need further support in the Level 2 nursery. After four hours of observation, you were cleared to stay with us in our hospital room. We were released in the normal amount of time and ready to start our lives as a family of 4.

Two weeks went by and we noticed your color was off and you were listless while in your swing one afternoon. Being cautious, we decided to take you to the emergency department at Williamsport Regional Medical Center. A few more similar episodes like this occurred, and while hooked up to the monitors we could see that you were having apnea episodes and your oxygen level was not stable. We spent 5 days at the hospital and was discharged with an apnea monitor and doses of caffeine, which acted as a stimulant. When things did not get any better, we went back to Williamsport and they felt more comfortable for you to go to the Children's Hospital at Geisinger. We were there for two weeks where they diagnosed you with apnea of prematurity.

The following three months you spent some time here and there in the hospital for respiratory issues. You would need to be on oxygen for a few days and maybe some antibiotics. The whole month of September you had a raspy cold which we were told to treat with breathing treatments. On September 29 we were not happy with the way you sounded and with the fact that no progress was being made. We agreed to take you to your doctor on the morning of September 30. I am so thankful we got in first thing in the morning because by 3 PM you were being taken by LifeFlight to Children's Hospital at Hershey. The rest of the story is documented day to day. And now, here we are. You are sleeping soundly in your swing, and I am actually less nervous of you doing that then I was ever in your entire life. You are healthy. You are going to get to do all the things that we had planned for you the day you joined our family on that beautiful day, April 12, 2013. A day much like today.

I am sure you are going to have so many questions for your dad and I about your heart, our life at CHP, your team involved in your care, what each scar on your body is from, who your donor was, etc. I can't wait for the day to actually sit down with you and tell you all  about it. Most importantly, to let you know what an amazing, inspirational person you are for so many. You remind us all what is important in life...friends, family, faith, love. I would be lying if I said everything is PERFECT right now, it's not. Your dad and I are still trying to acclimate to our new life, learn how to take care of two kids and make sure you and Riley are getting all you need in life...and more!

We are excited for tomorrow. We are going to celebrate your birthday with your grandparents at the Cabin. It will be a day to celebrate not just your first year...but LIFE. We all are so thankful you are with us. You were meant to be here...I knew it all along.

We love you so much, Nolan. We hope your second year of life is filled with HEALTH and HAPPINESS.

With all of our hearts, we love you more than you know.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy