December 19, 2014

Dear Karsten,

Happy due date my darling son. That may sound strange to say because many babies aren't born on their actual due date and so they of course celebrate the actual day they were born. But you get to celebrate this special day with us this year and I will tell you why.

You were born 14 weeks early. That's a little over three months. You were earlier than most and because of that you had to fight for those first few months of life. You had to fight every single day with your Dad and I by your side and many, many others cheering you on from afar. Each doctor and nurse told us that you would be coming home on or around your due date, and maybe even after. Your due date became the end of the long winding tunnel for me. There were days that I prayed that time would go by quicker. I wished that we could fast forward to December 19th so that we could take you home. December 19th was the day to look forward to. Some days it seemed like it was just around the corner, but then there were those days that made it seem like forever away, as if it would never come. 

You amazed us every day with your strength and determination. You made it out earlier than expected despite surgeries and complications. You did it. 

Once we were home they told us that December 19th would now mark when you began your corrected age of being a newborn. You would be 3 months and although it counts towards your actual age, your corrected age begins on that day. I then realized what a gift those few weeks were. As I held you one morning I realized that I get to hold on to my newborn a little longer. I didn't lose precious time in the NICU with you. The time we were given was extra time, extra time that I needed with you. 

December 19th is an important day for our family. It's the day we planned for before you were born, after you were born and when you came home. It was a bright light at the end of a sometimes dark tunnel. 

I will forever be thankful for that day. I will forever be thankful for your strength, for your determination, and for your courage.  You are strong, Karsten James Scott and you have such a bright future ahead.

Happy December 19th to you.

Always & Forever,

Your Mommy