It seems like only yesterday.... (long but worth the read)

Well, just 2 short years ago, we were a one-kid family. Then, our lives changed forever with the birth (via scheduled c-section) of Brynlee Charisse. I am amazed at how quickly these two years have gone. At the risk of sounding terribly cliche... "It seems like only yesterday..."

I picked my mom up at the airport the morning of October 20th. It was a Friday, and in true Phoenix Fall Fashion, it was to be in the 90s that day. Mom and I went to Target to pick up some last-minute provisions (the candy I would surely need in the hospital). We went back to our condo to play with Tevin. Little did our Big Dude know this was the last time it would be "Just Us".

At 11 a.m., I was admitted to Scottsdale Osborn. After much preparation, I walked down the hall into the OR, waving to what I knew to be my family up until that moment. At 1:19 p.m., Brynlee came screaming into this world. We both got cleaned up and then were able to have that first bonding moment when I looked into her eyes and knew we were meant to be together. She was grunting softly, something I thought was so cute, but it turned out she had fluid stuck in her lungs. Away she went to the NICU, where she spent nearly 48 hours away from me. During the time she was away, she developed a heart murmur. Talk about an eventful first couple of days! A specialist had to be called in on a Sunday to do a sonogram on Brynlee's heart - they wouldn't release her until she was cleared. I watched them do it; the cardiologist documenting verbally every step of the way and stating, "There's the hole..."..... My own heart skipped a beat. I prayed so hard at that moment that God would make my baby okay. I swear on my life that in that very second, I heard the cardiologist say, "Wow, the hole... it's actually closing as we speak... Umm, I've never seen anything quite like that before...." Tears filled my eyes (as they do to this day when I recount the story) and about an hour later, my baby was out of the NICU and snuggled in my arms. Take it as coincidence or take it as Divine Intervention. I thank God every day for the countless blessings he's brought into my life. I thank God today for bringing Brynlee into my life!!! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!