6 Months Ago....

Tyler's surgery was exactly 6 months ago today. Boy, am I glad that is over with and so happy the doctors wanted to go ahead and do the surgery sooner rather than later. It's almost harder thinking about it now then it was back then. I think six months ago I was so numb and just wanted it over with. I said lots of prayers and I know lots of people were praying for us. God gave me some unbelievable strength. It's hard to explain how I was feeling the week we were at Cook Childrens but it wasn't how I expected myself to act. I think I was more relieved to know it was over and Tyler was ok.

Being there, especially in NICU, was a huge reality check. Although, I thought what was happening to us was the worst thing in the world, I quickly learned things could have been much worse. There were some incredible little kids in there. A three your old that just had his 3rd heart surgery. A little girl awaiting the results of brain surgery. Her family was waiting to know if the doctor was able to get all of the tumor and when her next surgery was going to be. Tyler's heart condition was awful and I don't wish that experience upon anyone but I am so thankful that it is fixed and God willing we never have to do anything like that again.

Believe it or not I learned a few things along the way...

-Our friends and family are amazing! The support we had was unbelievable and there is no way to repay that.

-The power of prayer works wonders. I wish there was some way of knowing exactly how many people were praying for Tyler.

-Life could be much worse, and I'm so thankful we have a precious baby boy that will never remember any of this ever happened to him.

-Believe it or not, I learned not to worry(as much). Ultimately things are not in my control and it does me no good to worry.

-I learned to love Tyler even more every day, cherish every moment, and never take anything for granted.

I never posted any pictures, so I thought I would share a few....

This was Tyler right after his surgery. Rusty and I were somewhat prepared for all the tubes and IV's, but this was still overwhelming....

Still in the NICU, but a lot less tubes....

The first time I got to hold Tyler and feed him.....

Tyler's war wounds.....

In a regular room and there wasn't lots to do. We spent lots of time in the wagon making laps around the 3rd floor......

Happy little boy.....

As Christopher Robin says to Pooh....

...there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.....