Happy 6 months our little hero

You are 6 months old today our sweet little fighter! Oh Bodie, we are so proud of you. 10 months ago, our world was forever changed when we heard the words "your child has a severe congenital heart defect." We spent 4 months crying, worrying, pleading with God to give us a miracle. And 6 months ago, he did. He gave us you. Our little warrior. 6 months ago, he brought you into the world, blue, quiet and pretty unhappy to be out of your mommy. Not that we can blame you. It's as if you knew what you were up against and didn't want any part of it. Again, not that we can blame you.

You have taught us so much about strength, determination and the gift that life is during the past 6 months. 6 months ago, we could never have guessed that our path would be this tumultuous, this difficult, this frightening, this fraught with heart stopping moments. BUT, we also could never have guessed it would bring such joy, such beauty, such gratefulness and love. You are a WARRIOR. You are such a STRONG little man. And most amazing of all, amidst everything, and against all odds, you are FULL OF JOY. You remind us every day of God's blessings...of the miracle of life. We could not be prouder of you, of your sweet radiant disposition and your lion's strength and will to fight. Today, we celebrate you, sweet boy.

Of the 181 days we've been blessed to have you here on earth with us, you have spent 95 of them in an Intensive Care Unit, 36 of them in a step-down unit and 50 of them here at home with us. You've cost our insurance company upwards of 3/4 of a million dollars (not to mention the other half a million that the hospital absorbed). You've had 2 open-heart surgeries, 2 cardiac catheterizations and more pokes, prods, lines placed and needle sticks than we can even count. We've almost lost you 4 times and each of those 4 times will haunt my memories forever.

But you? You don't care. Somehow, you don't even realize that life has dealt you a bad hand. To look at you, you'd never know all that you have been through. You are just like any other 6 month old. Silly, sweet and so stinking smiley. You hear your mommy or daddy's voice and turn and immediately start smiling. You seek out your sister from across the room and your entire face lights up. You are beyond ticklish and LOVE it when mommy tickles your tummy. You blow raspberries with wild abandon. You eat us out of house and home just trying to put fat rolls on your cute little thighs (and you're almost there). You are amazing. You are our miracle. And we couldn't possibly be prouder of you and more grateful to God for the last 6 months. We are so privileged to call you our son.

Fight on our sweet little hero.

We love you,

Mommy and Daddy