It was exactly 1 year ago today......

Warning! - some may want tissues nearby.

It was exactly 1 year ago today that we found out I didn't have enough amniotic fluid - only had 1/2 of what was the low end of the normal range. We sat down with a perinatologist (high risk pregnancy doctor) and had a conversation that I only remember bits and pieces of -- "you have a 50/50 chance of carrying this pregnancy to 20 weeks - the very minimal age of viability," "if you carry to 20 weeks, there's a 50/50 chance of the baby surviving past that," "do you want to consider termination?" Of course, the answer to that last question was a resounding "NO!!!!!" We were lucky enough to "spontaneously" get pregnant after 3 years to trying with infertility treatments and everything we could think of. We were lucky enough to get pregnant!!! We would now do whatever was in our power to see this pregnancy through and whatever was in God's plan was what we would face.

It was exactly 1 year ago today that I went on bedrest where I would stay for 14 weeks - 6 of which were spent in the hospital an hour away from home. The soreness of bedrest would subside after a couple of days. I would get used to the idea that I wasn't to do anything. It would take a little time, but I would get used to it.

It was exactly 1 year ago today that Bill became my hero, caregiver, short order cook, housekeeper, and whatever else it took to make sure we did what we could to save our son. It would take a little time until we found a routine that allowed Bill to get up in the morning, get ready for work, and set me up with a day's worth of food and drink so I didn't have to get up during the day. It would take a little time to get used to our new "roles," but we would get used to it.

It was exactly 1 year ago today that we found out our son did NOT have spina bifida and would not be paralyzed when he was born! We watched as the ultrasound tech ran the ultrasound over his spine and found all of the levels looked like they should. We watched as he kicked his legs on the ultrasound, confirming that he could do so. What a relief!

It was exactly 1 year ago today that we found out we were having a BOY! When the ultrasound tech told us, I leaned over to Bill and so proudly said "you're going to have your son!" My mom and dad were in the room a short time later and got to see all the wonders of an ultrasound. We could see his legs, his face, his head, his arms, his spine. We were so excited to see that he had all the parts he was supposed to have and he was the size he should be at that gestational age!

It was exactly 1 year ago today that we met our son for the first time. Sure, we had heard his heart beat almost daily for about 6 weeks, but now we had a face to go with his "name" (Geoffro).

It was exactly 1 year ago today that we really started our battle for Mason's life and today we are so grateful for every smile, giggle, hug, kiss, and breath. Mason is the joy of our lives. Mason is the pain in our backsides. He is everything we could ever want.

Today, Mason is continuing his slow improvement (well, once we suctioned the knarly booger out of his nose). He continues to need about 2.5-3 liters of oxygen, but appears to be breathing easier when he's relaxed. Last night was a much better night for pain control and we'll be switching from morphine to Tylenol 3 this afternoon. They didn't allow Mason to eat yesterday because of his very slow moving bowels (he has developed an ileus - a blockage very common after abdominal surgery), but are going to start today. I've been able to hold him a few times to help calm him down. He's quite the snuggly little guy right now. We are hopeful that today he will continue his improvement and we'll be able to make some progress in bringing his oxygen need down a little more.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in the last year. We are so eternally grateful!