Happy for Health

Perhaps it's the realization that in two short months, my little baby boy will be hitting that two year milestone.

Perhaps it is the realization that very soon I will be having another one of these:

Or perhaps just the fact that this pregnancy has rendered me sleepless most nights, and insomnia breeds sleep deprivation breeds over-the-top nostalgia, sentimentalism and emotions...

Whatever the case, as I was sitting here at 4am, scrolling through labor and delivery, birth, newborn and baby photos of my first (and yes, getting teared up once again watching the video feed (well actually listening to...it's soundbyte only, courtesy of my wonderful hubby) (and my, what a soundbyte it is :)) I realized I never did get around to the post I wanted to do of his well-child checkups at the pediatrican's office. Perhaps it is because I am a pediatric NP, or just a corny, cheesy, mushy mom (or both), I just love looking at these pictures, and seeing how he has grown and changed over his short little life.

VERY FIRST CHECK-UP AT 3 DAYS OLD

Little Helpless Newborn

Tired Helpless Daddy

Tiny...vulnerable...precious.

First exam by his awesome PNP while daddy watches

What's that? I can't even lift my head to focus on it

SIX-MONTH CHECK-UP

Super happy chubby baby

Is there something on my face? Hmmm..? What are man-boobs?

Mmm..vaccines. Those awful, life-saving, not-fun necessities

12-MONTH CHECK-UP

Someone has learned how to (pretend to be) shy

Oh but yes, still very happy. I miss that open-mouthed smile.

Do you think I will break the scale mom?

Can you teach me how to use this mom?

So thankful for a healthy, happy little boy.
As a former NICU nurse and health-care provider, I can honestly say that I do not take this perfect health for granted. I desperately appreciate it, and I am desperately sad for those parents out there who face medical challenges of all kinds. My heart goes out to you.