NICU Party #2

Today we had Spencer's 2nd NICU party. This was for Lutheran, the hospital where he had his surgeries and spent the bulk of his NICU stay (5 out of the 6 weeks). We had a great time. It's sort of a double-edged-sword-kind-of-feeling going to these parties. On the one hand, it's kind of painful. This is a party you wish you didn't have the privilege of attending. But then, you go and it's so great seeing all of the wonderful people that helped take care of your sick child, and so many other children. And when I say so many, I mean soooo many. There are tons of kids/families that come to these. That's what is the great part. You get to see all of these families that know what you went through and you know what they have gone through. Then there are all of the children that are flourishing after spending their first moments, days, weeks, months, etc. of their lives in the special little nook of the hospital called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We got to see so many of the nurses that took care of Spencer. While checking in (it's a private party-how fancy!), we mentioned to one of his nurses that he had been released from his surgeon this week. Word quickly spread among all of the other nurses that Spencer had been released from Dr. Smith-it was so amazing to see that they all still cared and were so happy to see how well he was doing (I'm of course a little biased, but Spencer was among the favorites-well known babies-because he was full term and had such a rare situation). Though the party started off a little rough for us-the line to get in was loooong-and Avery had little patience for waiting in line, the rest of the afternoon went really well and we had some good family time together!

Spencer and one of his primary nurses, Jillian.

We went to the zoo after the part and the first stop was the monkeys...Avery fell in love. Everywhere we went in the rest of the zoo, she kept saying "more monkeys"!!

Avery getting some quality daddy shoulder time while resting her feet walking through the zoo.

First water fountain drink ever!

Mommy and Avery getting a really close up look at the lion:)

The kids posing in a tent in the African Safari portion of the zoo.

She thought she looked so cool in mommy's shades-I'm thinking that she did indeed:)

I have my hands quite full here. Notice how Spencer is eyeing Avery's ice cream...only 2 more weeks little guy and you will be introduced to the magic that is solid food!!

This girl just loves horses (actually both girls in this picture!). She was excited because she got to ride Sadie-her favorite pick when she rides the ponies at the zoo:)

This girl is a pro-seriously, she needs no help. I think she could one day be an equestrian champ!

Bringing Sadie back in just like a pro!

I had a picture taken in a train just like this (with some color variation) at this very zoo when I was a wee lass-many years ago!

Very excited about the turtle (fact: Avery's nickname while in the womb was "turtle")

You may appreciate this picture more when you see the next few and realize just how big this slide was. See the size of the kids around her-yeah, much bigger than her. The man running this giant slide was so amazed that Avery climbed right up with absolutely no fear!

The first slide down with not even one hesitation at the top!

See that little pink peanut in the middle...that's Avery!

She was so excited about coming down the big slide...we'd be the best parents ever if we just got her her very own bounce house to permanently reside at our house!!