Birthday Letter

A Reflection upon March 25, 2007 and our first days together as a family.
Dearest Miller,
Today is your first birthday...Guess who's one? YOU are! This day one year ago, we welcomed you into our family with great anticipation and hopes for your life. This picture was taken on this very day, March 25, 2007, last year. Your birthday is such an important day in our life as it will be in yours because it signifies the beginning of something amazing...YOU!! We thought it would be neat on such a special day to share about your first day on earth just 12 short months ago.



Mommy and daddy waited to see you for nine long months. We spent our days preparing for your arrival by reading books, taking a childbirth class, going to showers especially for you and decorating your nursery. Did you know we even painted your room twice to get just the right color for you? It had to be perfect. Daddy constructed the moldings and chair rail (with some expert help). That was a process, but he had you in mind each time he would get frustrated!

Finally, the big day arrived. You couldn't wait to meet the world. We loaded up the car and headed to the hospital. Daddy was in a big rush but I kept telling him not to race and get in an accident! After putting mommy through a long labor, you decided to greet us. The first time we saw you, I remember getting emotional especially when I heard your first cry. What a set of lungs you had! Daddy got to see you first! He brought you to me all swaddled in the hospital blanket. You had dark brown hair and big blue eyes. Ten fingers and ten toes...we were so thankful you were healthy. What a precious gift you are to us!

Daddy and I have many special memories of our first days together as a family at the hospital.We were running on adrenaline and excitement..it was the only thing that kept us awake from lack of sleep. We just loved to stare at the miracle that was right in front of us and discuss exactly who you looked like. We are still trying to figure that one out! You slept in our room at the hospital in your own bassinet in between mommy and daddy. We checked on you all throughout the night to make sure you were still breathing

Many friends and both sets of grandparents came to visit and welcome you in the hospital. We felt so loved and daddy was so proud to show off his "heir to the throne" as he refers to you. In due time you will learn that there are not many males in the Fokens family to carry on the name so you are very special:) We spent four long days in the hospital. Thankfully, all the nurses that cared for you were so helpful. Mommy was like a sponge, learning and taking in so much information about how to take care of you when we got home.

We were discharged from the hospital on March 28th. It was a beautiful sunny springlike day. Can you believe that no one gave us a take home manual for how to care for you? After guidance and one on one help from the wonderful nurses and staff, it was our turn alone to care for you. What an awesome privilege and honor that God entrusted us with. Grandmama met us at the hospital to help us pack everything up and follow us home. I remember watching daddy put you in your big car seat for the first time and riding home with you in the backseat from the hospital. I wouldn't let you out of my sight. When we drove home as a family of three a big blue balloon and bow greeted us on the mailbox from friends in the neighborhood. Jackson was waiting at the door to meet his new brother. We were so excited to show you your nursery.

We placed you in your big boy crib in the nursery the very first night home. You were a noisy sleeper, grunting and whistling through your nose. The video baby monitor gave us some assurance that you were o.k. while you were one whole room away. Daddy joked that we were guarding you crib like a bank with a surveillance camera. Our days and nights, and nights and days ran together those first few weeks. We took each day one day at a time. It was all so overwhelming. I remember rocking you and feeding you in the wee hours of the morning thinking, Is anyone else out there awake at this time?" Those were our very special moments together, just you and me. You would give us a 2-3 hour stretch of sleep each night for the first eight weeks. At nine weeks, you decided it was time to give mommy and daddy a five hour stretch each night. Mommy felt like a new woman! You continued to be an excellent sleeper throughout the months.

We still marvel at how fresh these memories are to us and can't believe that one whole year has passed. This first year was all too short. Each "first moment" was celebrated and photographed to help us remember our first days together when the memories aren't so fresh. We cherish the joys of watching you grow and love looking back at the wonderful days of welcoming our sweet boy into our family. You have taught us so much this year. We marvel at God's goodness to our family through you. You have changed our lives in so many remarkable ways and we feel so fortunate and proud to be called your parents. Happy, Happy First Birthday Miller!