Happy Birthday, Tyler

So many memories come back to me this special day. It is my nephew Tyler's birthday. He was born 3 months early. I got a call in the middle of the night by my dad to get up to SLC, Nancy was having a baby. I got woke up, and I thought I had slept thru 3 months! Until realization hit, and it was only September. My sweet roommates drove me up and sat with me at the U of U hospital, we weren't sure which hospital he was going to be transferred to. Finally we got the word, Tyler was born. 1 lbs 11 oz, 13 inches long! SOO little!! He was being transferred to LDS Hospital. My roommates took me there, I told them I would be ok and they could go home. I sat there on the curb, finally the life flight helicopter came. I was the family rep, Nancy and Dallas as were at the hospital on the other end of the valley. Life flight nurses asked if I was the aunt the family said would be there, I said yes, they told me to follow. I had to follow fast. I went with them up to the NICU. Before they took him in to get him settled, they asked if I wanted to see him. OF COURSE! He looked so little. I sat there waiting for someone else to show up.

I went up almost every other day to see my little buddy the whole time he was in the hospital (LDS and PCMC). I was so excited (and scared) the day Nancy asked me if I was ready to hold him. I just sat there looking at him and couldn't believe it! He was a miracle.

I love having them close. He makes me laugh. Everytime he has a new phrase, Nancy calls me and he has to tell Aunt Nicky Mouse. It has been amazing seeing him progress sooo much the last few months. Saturday at his party he was such a little talker. He made sure everyone knew when it was time to clap. He would say "everybody say LIMBO!" "Everybody say CLAP!" and if people didn't clap, he would count, "one, two, three! CLAP!" Saturday me and Tyler were just laying on the blanket outside, and we were just laughing at each other. I feel a special bond with him. I love teaching him new words (pooh pooh, or MISSION COMPLETED!)

Happy Birthday Tyler! I love you so much! You are such a miracle!