a couple firsts and a couple looks back

hi, mr. man!

it's been a while, eh? well, you're doing great...growing like a happy little weed and making all kinds of big progress with all your cool baby tricks. you rolled from your tummy to your back this week. once. i didn't get to see it. i put you down on your tummy, and then i went to brush my teeth and put my makeup on. i could hear you complaining a bit, but not too much. after i got myself ready, sissy asked me to put her hair up. i could still hear you complaining...for a couple minutes, and then you sounded quite happy. as soon as i finished sissy's hair, i came to check on you and found you happily lying on your back with a HUGE grin of accomplishment on your face. you've been inching around and making some moves like you might be ready to roll for a couple weeks, but this was your first solo success. we haven't seen you repeat it yet, but i'm sure it's just a matter of time.

another first you had recently was riding in a swing at the park. um. you LOVED it. you grinned and kicked your legs the entire time you were in the swing. i took you out just because i felt guilty leaving you in one activity for so long...usually, you like to switch it up pretty often. i think we found your favorite (for now) activity, though. we've taken you two more times since your first time, and you've been super happy about swinging each time. i think we will get you a bucket swing of your own for the playscape here at home.

so, march is a HUGE month in your life. you came to be in my tummy in late february of last year, and initially everything looked great. but, it soon became apparent that something wasn't quite right for you. we didn't think we were going to get to meet you, quinn. we thought you were going to go to heaven. your numbers just weren't "right"...the numbers that indicated how you were growing and developing weren't climbing the way they were supposed to. i am so grateful, humbled, and just plain in awe of the fact that you are here...that you survived and thrived despite the statistics that weren't in your favor. i can't even begin to explain how lucky and blessed i feel to have been able to carry you in my tummy and give birth to you and to now be your mommy.

in the middle of all the sadness and worry we were having about you last march, we got some really bad news about your pop-pop (daddy's daddy). after six months of struggling with major health issues including a pneumonia that cultured with MRSA bacteria, your pop-pop's health took a turn for the worse. daddy was able to get home in time to see pop-pop and say good-bye, but you and sissy and i were too late. we were able to spend some time with family, though, and to be there for daddy during such a difficult time. i'm so glad that you bear so much resemblance to your pop-pop and that you have his name in yours. we will tell you all about him as you grow and make sure you know what an amazing man your pop-pop was.

i love you buddy,
-mommy