Friday, June 27, 2008

Photo Story Friday-Garrett


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

What more can I say about Garrett than he is just about the easiest going kid around? Well, actually, quite a lot. He prepared me for the twins. I think if I hadn't stressed and worried about him, I would have been a basket case with his brothers.

He had a 2 vessel cord in utero; he was missing one of the arteries in his umbilical cord. He was closely watched for growth and abnormalities and I had the opportunity to see him regularly on ultrasound before he was born. Then, this perfect little boy was born (with the cord around his neck twice) and I thought all the worry was over. That is, until he spiked a fever of 102 as a 9 day old. To the hospital we went where he was poked (two spinal taps) and proded and then hooked up to an IV and admitted to the hospital. In the end, it was only a virus, but the threat of meningitis was very real. We survived that hospital stay and a few days later I received a phone call from his pediatrican. He was flagged for having Cystic Fibrosis and needed further testing. After the sweat test (definitive test for CF) we were relieved to find out he was only a carrier of the mutated gene. All of these problems ended well, but served an important purpose as they emotionally prepared me for a pregnancy and babies that aren't text perfect from the get go.

Garrett was an incredibly easy infant, baby, toddler and continues to be as a little boy. He is so patient and self sufficient that many times I have to look around to make sure he is even in the room. He has always been a daddies boy and that was a real blessing when I went inpatient and then when the twins came home. I didn't have a fight for 3 on my lap, and he just cruised along, going with the flow, making my life oh so much easier. He was never very affectionate with me though. He didn't need or want to be cuddled by me (he wanted daddy) and to be honest, if I hadn't been so busy it would have really hurt me. I think he just seemed to know though that everyone needed something and he was patiently waiting his turn. Only recently has he become really affectionate with me, and I couldn't be more thankful. I notice and treasure the times that he comes up to me for a hug or to sit on my lap. I'm blessed to have a child that is just so good. My heart aches with the love I feel for my middle child.


Photobucket

44 comments:

Supercool Hotmama said...

So nice to have a Daddy's boy, when you've got the twins on your lap! What a cutie he is and such a blessing that he is so healthy and it all worked out!

Anonymous said...

How cute Garrett is! :) And I am so happy everything's now okay. Even though he is a Daddy's boy, I know he deeply appreciates how his Mom respects his freedom to do the things he loves and oh I'm telling you, he's still looking for a Mom and will miss you especially when he goes to College someday.

You're doing great Angie, you're the best Mom to these kids and to Garrett of course. :)

-Yvie

Elizabeth said...

What a sweet tribute to Garrett...he's a cutie!

Alex @ I'm the Mom said...

What a handsome little boy! I cried when I read all the things he and you and your family have had to push through and past since he was still warm inside you. Big hugs to you!

Kerith Collins said...

what a wonderful story about your boy and your family...but speaking of family...my little ones are up and their tummies are rumbling...but i love your blog

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

i love hearing these in depth posts about your children, they are all so beautiful. the love you have for them is overwhelmingly evident through your words. garrett seems like an absolute joy, thank you for sharing his story!

Kerith Collins said...

holy cow you are quick--my twins are alittle over 1 year...and i think my little ones had the rhoto-virus...very nasty...and lasts for about a week or so...

Heather said...

What a beautiful post, Angie. He's adorable!!! There's something so special about middle kids. My little Sara has a similar scary story in utero and (not that I have favorites) she just has this special little place in my heart. I agree...like you, my heart aches with love for her.

I like you and your blog so so so much. Yep, I do.

The Apron Queen said...

What a sweet grin her has!

Pop over & see my interview with a diva, Miss Dragonfly: http://anapronaday.blogspot.com/2008/06/interview-with-miss-dragon-fly.html

Anonymous said...

I'm glad he turned out so well. I hope he can be a big help with the brothers.

Shannon said...

Absolutely beautiful photo! I didn't know that Garrett had all of those scares as an infant. Goodness!

I am the middle child of 3 and my mom used to say that same about me. I was quiet and patient and undemanding, often forgotten. I think we middle kids just know that mom has her hands full and we don't want to add. Do seek him out though because he still wants the attention even though he doesn't ask. I'm sure you already know that though:)

Great post!

Jaysi said...

I love getting to know your kids! It is so fun to see their different personalities (reflected in their pictures) and to hear about each of them. It sounds like this little guy gave you quite a scare, but in the end God always knows our needs and how to grow us. :) Happy Friday.

Casey's trio said...

I loved evry word of this post Angie! All of your kids are special, but whenever you tell stories about Garrett it just melts my heart!

jenni anne said...

garrett sounds like a really great kid. it was fun getting to know him a little better! i just want to smoosh his face, he's so darn cute!

Laura said...

I loved reading more about Garrett. I look at my birth order and feel the very same way about why my kids came the way they did and how they prepared me. I know I have talked to you about that.

I am loving your Photo Fridays!

Jaime said...

What a little sweetheart! I bet he is a little charmer!

Lala said...

What an amazingly sweet boy! You have been blessed darling! (many times over!)

amanda said...

what a sweet little boy :)

and such a sweet mama to share it!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

What a great kid you have. For whatever reason the picture didn't show up :(

Stephanie said...

I remember you telling me before about the CF scare. We experienced that with the twins. Such an emotional time.

He is a darling little guy, and your post about him is lovely.

Rachel Berry said...

Wow I had no idea you have gone through so much with your 3 babies well, the twins obviously but not with him. I'm so glad all turned out well. He's so cute too! Loving these posts you do such a great job.

Homegrown Tribe said...

What an awesome little boy god gave you... love the picture.

brittany

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

WOW what a post. That CF scare had to terrifying. We have good friends with a daughter who has it and it is heartbreaking. What a lovely boy and an even lovelier story.

Clark Captions said...

I love it! What a darling guy Garrett is! I'm sure he is a big helper at home. Love his cute smile!

Laurie said...

What a sweetheart!

Melissa said...

This is a cute post. I love learning more about your kids and the goings on with your family and stuff.
It's cool getting to know you and your family more.
I love blogs.
I love yours.

Laurie said...

I can relate to the personality description, Aaron has many in common. It is a great bond. You guys are so cute.

Don Mills Diva said...

Aww - this made my eyes well up. Plus I have an irresistible urge to squeeze him...good thing he's not actually here - it'd probably freak him out!

Gunnisac Sandersons said...

I love that you are doing these clips. I hope you don't mind that i copied your idea. I love getting to know each of your children, they are really sweet. Love them all

Sarah said...

He is a treasure! I have always just had a special love towards Garrett from the moment I met him. I think it is his smile and that twinkle in his eye.

I am so glad to see you had a wonderful vacation!! I loved your pictures!! We need to catch up!

Jo Schaffer said...

I feel ya, sis. So much worry and horror with my #3...Jack had the sweat test done too (among so many other things)... scary wait for the results.
His babyhood has been so hard but, he too is so sweet and "easy" and a total daddy's boy!
Frightening to think that he could be preparing me for something worse! Ha!! But what a blessing, huh? We are all given what we need...

Laurie said...

I loved getting to know this little boy better through you. He is adorable and I love the fact that he sounds like such a neat kiddo. I am also glad to read that he survived all the early tests with nothing wrong.
Such a cutie that one is!!

Susie said...

Such a great picture of you two--he may not show affection, but he wears his love for you in that grin! WTG Angie--you are fabulous mom!!
I'm so glad he was OK as a baby too~my goodness what a scare to go through!

Genny said...

What a sweet post. You sure had some scares when he was born. So glad everything turned out fine!

Anonymous said...

Lovely tribute...

heartbreaker alert! So very handsome :)

Crazymamaof6 said...

he is sure cute! and what a blessing everything turned out ok with him, and prepped you along the way.

love having a daddy's boy! that is FANTASTIC! and yet. yeah i'm sad when they prefer dad to me all the time. sometimes it's great, and others, it bums me out.

great PSF

Rose said...

what a wonderful story and a wonderful little boy! Thank you for sharing him with us.

Connie said...

So sweet Angie. What a great kid!!

Rhea said...

He's just adorable. What a cutie. It sounds like he had a rough beginning, but it all turned out well. Very sweet post!

Are You Serious! said...

♡ I love this post and the way you wrote it... What a sweet boy! He's so dang cute too!

KatBouska said...

Can I hug him?? This was a really sweet post...you guys have served your time as far as health scares go with the children. You deserve to live the rest of your lives healthy and scare-free.

Sheesh.

Leslie said...

It's great to get to know your children better since we miss so much. What a great tribute to Garrett! You'll have to remember his CF carrier status when he gets older/marries. If his wife is a carrier chances are 1:4 that a child will be affected. Most people never know that they are carriers.

girlytwins said...

He sounds like a wonderful blessing. What a sweet little guy he is. Love this post!

Bar-b said...

I really enjoyed this entry.