Stefan at 19

We’re all a little bit in denial about Stefan leaving on a mission for two years. It’s so much easier (and more fun) to concentrate on Ben coming home (in just ten days!).

But as the days grow longer, our time with him grows shorter. And we won’t be celebrating a birthday with him again until 2016. But we are always grateful, every day, that he celebrated any birthdays at all. I don’t want to be overly dramatic, because so many of our friends have been through so much worse. Still, it’s his story.

Stefan’s birth was a nearly perfect one. I labored naturally, not a needle or a stitch and he was healthy and beautiful. Later, that evening Erik went home to shower and I fell asleep with my gorgeous new baby in a bassinet next to me.

A intuitive nurse, stepped into our room, peeked into the bassinet and found Stefan blue and barely breathing. Immediately she pulled the alarm, sirens sounded and he was whisked to ICU.

his poor little arms had no more veins for his IV line.

 
I’m pretty sure he still sleeps just like this.

The pediatrician who revived him met us in the ICU a few hours later, informing us Stefan had a Strep B infection. “But is he going to be OK?” we asked.

“I don’t know. We won’t know for three or four days.”

Those were the longest days of our life, but just two weeks later, he was off all meds and thriving. I remember gazing at my chubby little baby niece and praying Stefan would gain those rolls and dimples.

He did. And there hasn’t been a day of his life we haven’t been grateful for his miraculous presence.

Stefan radiates goodness and light. As you might recall, we created a “You are My Sunshine” party last year and decided to make it his permanent birthday theme.

At his request, we made homemade pizza. I love watching my boys together. They crack each other up; everything is fun, everything is funny.

My neighbor delivered gorgeous spring blooms just in time.

I love using blossoms in photographs.

As usual, his gifts were all chocolate filled.

We invited several neighbors over to help us light wish lanterns, 

 sparklers,

and candles.

Happy birthday darling Stefan. We love you so.