Friday, December 16, 2011

One Year Ago...

Exactly one year ago, at 10:08 am, Elliot Reid Gougeon entered this world, weighing 6 lbs 3 oz and 19.3" long, and my life changed forever. I wasn't expecting to be able to hold him, but they suddenly plopped him on my chest. In the minute that he lay there, I couldn't do anything but stare at him and cry. I fell in love. I saw past his bright red skin and the fact that his intestines were spilling out all over my belly, to his dark hair, his cute button nose, his long eyelashes, his tiny tiny fingers and toes. He was perfect; he was mine. I knew that from this moment on, my life would never be the same.

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The moment I wrote about above- when they unexpectedly put him on my chest, seconds after he was born.

minute or two after being born.
Just a few feet away from me, being prepped by the NICU team. He was being placed in a sterile bag so they could take him down and examine him. I couldn't see him at all, because he was SURROUNDED by doctors. Aaron was straining his neck trying to see what they were doing, and my parents held cameras up above and just fired away- not even sure what they were taking pictures of.

Brand new
All settled into his isolette.

seeing him up close for the first time.
A couple hours after he was born, they FINALLY brought me down to the NICU to see him. They probably got sick of me constantly asking, "Can I go see him yet?" I wasn't allowed to stay long, and the nurse kept asking me if I was ready to go, and I kept saying, "no, not yet. Not yet." When they finally wheeled me back up to my room, I bawled my eyes out. I could not stop crying. All I wanted to do was stay with him. Leaving your newborn son in the hands of strangers is something that takes awhile to get used to. In fact, I cried every time we left the NICU for the next several weeks.

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The first time Mommy and Daddy touched baby Elliot.

Sweet angel.
Pure perfection. Who would have guessed that olive skinned, dark haired baby would turn into a fair blondie?!

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My sweet, sweet angel. ♥

Happy Birthday, Elliot!
Mommy and Daddy love you so, so much. ♥

22 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Elliot!! I have to admit, I cried reading this post. He is such a strong little fighter and you and Aaron are one of a kind parents.

    I found your blog this time last year, just weeks after Elliot was born and I have LOVED watching him grow. He is such a handsome little man and I can't wait to "meet" your next little one!

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  2. awww Happy bday to your lill prince!

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  3. Happy Birthday Elliot! He has come such a long way in this short year and I'm sure he is going to make an awesome big brother in a few months!

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  4. happy birthday sweet boy!

    i remember reading your blog this time last year. everyone was sending such wonderful prayers your way. i can't believe it's already been a year. what a handsome little man you have! :)

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  5. Happy First Birthday, Elliot Reid!!!

    I remember stalking your page for updates on his birth and cried when it finally happened! You have yourself an absolute amazingly beautiful family!

    xoxo

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  6. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRECIOUS LITTLE ELLIOT!!! What a beautiful post! The first pic, seeing that tear on your face was so touching...wishing him many, many, many more wonderful birthdays!

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  7. Happy Birthday Elliot!! <3

    The picture of him on your chest is amazing, there is so much emotion in it.

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  8. Not going to lie, that made me tear up.

    Happy Birthday Elliot!!

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  9. I've been following your blog since I came across it in the TTC 18-24 group on BBC. My little girl was born in early January. It's amazing how far you both have came. He is such a strong lil Man and is going to be a amazing big brother!! Happy birthday Elliot!!!

    -Jess

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  10. Sweet baby! Happy Birthday!!!

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  11. He is such a little star!

    Happy Birthday Elliot x

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  12. That was beautiful !! I wish him a great bday !! I wasn't able to see my son when he was born either for 12 hours so when I finally saw him I was so in love ! I def. know how u felt :)

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  13. Awesome post!! Happy Birthday, Elliot! And happy Birth Day, Mama!

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  14. ...and I'm crying now. Happy birthday Elliot! I hope your 1st birthday is amazing!

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  15. What a sweet, sweet post. Happy Birthday, Elliot!!

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  16. Happiest 1st Birthday Elliot!!!

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  17. Happy Birthday Elliot!! Such a beautiful post ♥

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  18. i can not believe it has been a year already!!! happy birthday elliot!!! i hope your birthday was all sorts of fabulous!!!

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  19. Happy Birthday Elliot! I can't believe it's been a year! So glad he is happy and healthy :)

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  20. I just wanted to let you know that your son's pic was used with a fake profile on the website Babycenter.com. Others and I have reported the profile but I wanted you to be aware.
    Beautiful story by the way.

    link if you want it.
    http://community.babycenter.com/photos/quinny775/21964337

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