attempts at walking

Today is my 25th birthday - yeah!!! I keep thinking back at where I was a year ago. With my husband, driving to work, trying to remind him it was my 24th birthday (ha,ha) then off to another day of working/NICU duty. Getting to my wits end of keeping up with the schedule and wanting so badly to bring my baby girl home. No there wouldn't be a celebration (I think we probably ate at Panera Bread), but I was where I wanted to be, by my baby girls side. I NEVER missed a day or night by her bed. On this particular day, I remember sitting by Hailey's "big girl bed", which she moved to the day before - and wondering on this special day what my 25th birthday would be like. Knowing by then Hailey would be 1 and HOME! And here we are ... not only home, but with a healthy baby girl!
And as the title says, we are on our way to walking. No she did not take steps by herself, but for the first time on Sunday she walked only holding one of my hands. This is a big accomplishment!!! As Tracey said, she did look like a monkey puppet (ha, ha), but she did it nonetheless. She still prefers to crawl, but we are working on it. Our physical therapist is on vacation this week, but will be happy to hear this next week. Last Monday she said Hailey is hitting many of the goals we had for her and may not need therapy for much longer!
This past weekend Hailey also met her cousin - I guess she would be a second cousin, Brianna. We went to Freeport for some shopping! So much fun! We had a great time! Here they are shopping at the Gap :-)



Then on Sunday Hailey celebrated Taylor's 9th birthday! Happy Birthday Taylor!!!! Tim and I started dating a few months before Taylor was born. I can't believe we have been together that long!!!
Hailey is doing much better around people and has become a social butterfly. She did well both on Saturday and Sunday, she especially loves Taylor and always smiles when she sees her!
Lastly, we had our first report of RSV on my preemie board ... sigh ... let the worries begin!
Oh - and not to forget - Happy Birthday Laura!!!! Hope you have the best day ever!