Today he did it! Just more than five years ago we became grandparents. Our foray into Grandparenthood came in the form of a 2 pound 7 ounce package.

First Day

Something did not add up.

Kimberly went to her doctor’s appointment with her Granny. The doctor order an ultrasound because she fit the high risk category. A tech’s keen eye picked up something that prompted the doctor to suggest she would not go home but instead go directly to the hospital.

We received a phone call. Whatever else we were doing came to a halt. We made plans to get to Children’s Hospital as soon as we could. Dad and I picked up Craig and headed north. Patty would come as soon as she could leave work.

Once at the hospital we learned the little boy not yet born should be bigger. He was not very active in the womb. His little heart rate fluctuated considerably. An emergency C-Section was ordered. There are days it is good not to know everything. This was one of them.

The hallway was filled with family and friends when the door opened. Nurses wheeled out a very small, clear box. Inside was the little fellow, eyes open. They would take him to the NICU and we would soon follow. Kimberly would go to a different room.

Every day for the next month would find us at the hospital. We met others in the waiting room facing the same situation. Procedures were performed the seriousness of which we did not realize until later.

Facebook’s Memory feature has been offering photos from those days five years ago. It is hard to imagine our long-haired helper was ever that small.

Another First Day

Today that five year old shows little indication he once fought hard for his little life. His motto early and often was, “I do it! I do it!” That meant whatever he saw someone else doing, he wanted to do. No one could tell him he was too small, too premature. He did not always do it as well as his little mind expected, but it was not for lack of trying.

Today he did it. He reached one of those bittersweet milestones. Its the sort of event that leaves Momma’s in tears and little boys grinning from ear to ear. He went to school, Pre-K to be specific.

Not much has changed. He still thinks he can do it all.

Today he sets out on that learning adventure that will be one of the experiences that enables him to do it more than he dreamed.

We are excited to see what he will do . . . and optimistic at all the possibilities.