July 21st, 2011 is

Whitney's 1st Birthday! I really cannot believe my baby a one year old!  It has been an amazing year!  I had a baby and was able to take her home. I feel so blessed to have Whitney in my life.  I always wanted to be a mother.  She is amazing and I can't wait to have more...in a couple years!  Whitney has accomplished so much in her life so far...more than others can even dream of.  She had a severe and rare birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.  I had never heard about this before now.  Generally they say these babies have a 50% chance to live, Before Whitney was born, Dr.'s didn't think she'd make it, when she was born she was given an estimated 20% chance to live.  Chance is a weird word to me. It is defined: the absence of any cause of events that can be predicted, understood, or controlled.  But I believe in the power of prayer and God's plan for his children.  Whitney is meant to be here, today.  I held my baby girl when she was 15 days old. We took her home when she was 56 days old.  It has truly be a roller coaster ride since we knew we were pregnant.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I love my baby dearly.

Whitney has made so much progress this year with the help of many, many doctors and support from loving family and friends.  Including, Dr. G (perinatologist), Neonatologists, Dr. P (cardiologist), Dr. G (pediatric surgeon), Dr. K (pediatrician), Gastroenterologist, Pulmonologist, nutrionist, phyiscal therapist, feeding/speech therapist, and all the many helpful nurses.  Of course I couldn't do it without my husband, my family and my husbands family being right there with us. 

Here are some picture of her actual birth date!  My planned small family party grew to an extended family party because most of them could not make to the Saturday Luau.  We got pizza and cake and presents!  We had a lot of fun!  I tried to hold Whitney and love her as much as I could...or as much as she would let me!

Loves to read books!

Big Grin



Whitney walking!



The Funfetti cake I made her

Birthday Girl anxious to open presents!

Present from Hawaii! 

Two phones?! She got two of the same present and loves them both haha!  And Thomas is taking a picture of me with a fake princess camera!?



Happy 1st Birthday



Surprised by the song singing



Mommy cutting the cake

very nervous about this...



decided to touch it!



wanted to mash it!

had fun and tasted it twice!



but would rather feed it to the dog (the dog was not allowed to eat cake though)



My princess