Hard to believe

After seeing Derek’s height and weight today, I went back through old photos, trying to find some of him in the hospital. Hard to believe this is the same little premie:

I think he was somewhere around five pounds in this photo. Which is actually pretty big for a baby born that early. Lynnette often ponders just how big he might have been full term. He was exactly one day old.

The first time we got to hold him without any monitors, or the gavage tube down his nose:

Getting ready to leave the NICU (after a three week stay):

And here he is when we first brought him home (meeting Sophia for the first time):

Can you believe how different Sophia looks?

We are so fortunate how things worked out for our family. Despite being over seven weeks early, Derek has turned out to be the most amazing and healthy son we could have ever hoped for.

We love you Derek James!