Atticus is 5 years old!!!

Today is a big day!!  Its Atticus' 5th birthday!  Its a day that I have longed for, but feared would never come. Its a day I have been looking forward to since before he was even born, and I'll tell you why. I remember reading an article in a medical journal shortly after we had learned about Atticus' heart condition. I was pouring over the internet trying to learn anything and everything I could about HLHS. I remember the article stating that if a single ventricle kid (like Atticus) could survive through all 3 stages of open heart surgery and to their 5th birthday, then the % chance that something could go wrong dropped dramatically.  Today is that day. Atticus had the last of his 3 stages (the Fontan) in May, and today is his 5th birthday!!  

I know, of course, that this doesn't mean that things are smooth sailing from here. Atticus will always be at a higher chance for stroke, heart attack, etc.  He still faces plenty of challenges ahead physically, medically, developmentally, etc. But today I choose to celebrate the miracle God gave to me, my son Atticus. 

He's had a pretty good day today, watching his favorite show, Pingu. He's been running around playing with his brother and sisters. We just ate some cake, and are taking it easy for now. It was the first year that Atticus was able to blow out his own candle. He's come such a long way!!  Unfortunately, we are all a little sluggish from a head cold.  We plan on getting some take out a little later on, and watching a movie as a family. Its not an exciting day, but like I said, we're all a little sick.

I want to take a moment to thank all of you that have followed us in this journey with HLHS. Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  As I look back through this blog, its hard to believe all the things Atticus has been through. I reread some of my updates, and the pain and heartache of those days come rushing back as if it was only yesterday.  It also causes me to pause in thankfulness to God for all the things He has done. Time and time again, God has used Atticus to show that He is control, and that prayer really is a powerful tool.  He gave me a son that changed me in ways I would never dreamed possible, fixed in me things I never knew were broken, and caused me to open my heart to others in ways I never had before.  I am thankful for each day that God allows me to spend with Atticus. He really is my miracle baby (though not such a baby anymore!!).

So I'm going to wrap up this post for now. I'm going to cuddle my sweet little man on the couch, something I couldn't do on the day he was born.  I invite you to go back and reread some of my posts. Especially those between October 2009 through March 2010. Reread, cry with me, and celebrate with me as I am so thankful to have Atticus with me today, 5 years after we began this crazy rollercoaster ride together. And as always, keep on prayin'!

Atticus liked opening presents!

A Pingu inspired cake

  Its also the first year that he really grasped that it was his birthday. 

 

Blowing out his candle all by himself!

He had to double check that blowing out his candle was ok, lol!