January 1, 2009
The year started off a bit rocky. On January 13, we heard something that NO parent should ever hear... "There's something wrong with your baby's heart." Those are some tough words to swallow. But we made it through the next four months and met this guy,
who made us a Mommy and Daddy for the first time.
We couldn't have been any more proud!
We couldn't have been any more proud!
On April 24, 2009 we held our baby boy for the first time. He was four days old, and our arms had ached to hold him every second of those four days that we had to wait. There is nothing like holding your baby for the very first time...
The most difficult thing we did this year was send this
sweet baby down the hall for open heart surgery like this,
and he came back like this. It was the scariest day of our lives!
Derrick proved to be a fighter, and eight days later, we were home doing "normal" family things and loving every minute of it!
We have more than enjoyed watching this little guy grow and change every day.
We have celebrated (and photographed) all of D's firsts,
and tearfully rejoiced as he was baptized.
We took a trip to the beach,
and the mountains,
and the pumpkin patch.
We've watched D be silly
and breeze through two heart caths.
Looking back through all of the pictures brings smiles and tears, laughter and fears....and hope. I am a much different person than I was at the beginning of 2009. I've been blessed beyond belief with a great husband, a beautiful little boy, a supportive family, new (and old) friends (and even friends we don't know in real life! :) ) and stronger faith.
I'm excited to see what 2010 has in store for us. Hopefully we'll get the hard part over with in the beginning and we can watch D be a "normal" little boy this year. I can't wait!
January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year guys!! What a year it has been for all of us and here's to hoping that 2010 will be a good one!
ReplyDeleteStef, Ryan, Wyatt and Logan
www.whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com
Happy New Year to the Carters! You guys are such a blessing to us and we so enjoyed the recap of your year with all its blessings and trials. And yes, it is absolutely possible that a year can bring the best and the worst of times, but what matters is how you respond to each. See, that's why you are such a blessing! Your response and determination to enjoy fully every second of Derrick's first year is evident in every word you post (okay, maybe not every second of that first year is joyful, but you know what I mean :) and always brings tears to my eyes. Happy tears, of course!! You guys are exceptional parents and Derrick is one lucky, adorable baby boy!!
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for a wonderful 2010 for all of you!
Kati, Rocky, Evan, & Brycen Dunn
What a year it has been!!! 2009 brought me you guys! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it. There were lots of everythings this year I agree. 2010 will be a good year for all of us. D is going to get so big and do so many new col things this year I am excited to be able to watch it all happen!!! Prayers, Heart Hugs, and Love, Jessica
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR Justin Shannon, and D, love Jessica, Jessa, Jonathin, Jayde, Ethin, and Inge
HAPPY NEW YEAR AND A BIG HUG TO YOUR CUTIE PIE! HOPE 2010 WILL BE THE BEST YEAR YET. I KNOW YOU GOT A BIG HURDLE AHEAD BUT WE WILL BE RIGHT ALONG BEHIND YOU PRAYING AND PRAYING...
ReplyDeleteSENDING LOADS OF LOVE AND PRAYERS UR WAY!!
LOVED THE PICS...
RHONDA
WWW.LYLEFAMILY5.BLOGSPOT.COM
2009 has definately been an interesting year :-) I hope you make 2010 an awesome year full of fun and excitement!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the pics. It is great to see how far and how bit your little D has gotten!!
Always,
Tracey, Jeremy, Riley, Drew and Jordan Snyder
www.ForTheLoveOfMendingHearts.blogspot.com