Today, at 11:27a.m., Noelle turned one year old and marked one of the sweetest milestones in her life thus far. Knowing that there were many days and weeks in which we never even dreamed of this day, makes reaching it that much more special to us.
So how do we celebrate such an incredible event in her life? Probably not as you would expect, since many one year old babies have quite the party. But since we are in the midst of lock down season and still ever mindful of her health, that could not be an option for us. Instead, it is a day full of memories, thankfulness, and precious family time together. So rather than a party with friends and presents, we are spending the day delivering a sweet treat and a Happy Birthday card to our NICU family (sans Noelle due to lock down), for this celebration is as much theirs as it is ours. The day also still holds a few presents and cupcakes (although for pictures only and not to be eaten by the little person who still has no teeth) as we enjoy this special day as a family, remembering how different things were one year ago at this time.
While preparing this slideshow of her first year and formatting the entries for her birthday book (which so many of you lovingly submitted), we have been overwhelmed yet again by God's goodness to us through these many months. Words just cannot express our true emotions today, and these feelings are often demonstrated with flowing tears of joy. So with very thankful hearts to a God who has been gracious beyond measure, we celebrate this first birthday with our precious miracle. Happy Birthday, sweet Noelle!!!
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| ~Birthday Outfit made with love by Auntie Em~ |
In celebration with us, please enjoy the slideshow and birthday book links below...
Noelle's First Year from
Grace Outpoured on
Vimeo.
A photographic journal of Noelle's first year of her miracle life.
Music Credit: "Precious Life" from the "Hidden in My Heart" collection by Breakaway Music
For a preview of Noelle's birthday book, you may click and view
here.
Happy Birthday sweet Noelle. It has been a beautiful journey to read and I am so excited to see what God has planned for your beautiful and precious life.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica!! We enjoyed reading the testimony of your life as well and are excited to share it with Noelle when she is older and can understand. I'm sure your parents have felt on your birthdays the same that we felt this day. What a blessing!
Deletewhat are you going to do with the book of the memories that were created?
ReplyDeleteWe are getting it printed for her to keep, but I am also working on an expanded version that will hopefully be available to purchase in January. Several have asked if they can have a copy, but I need to reformat it and would like to be able to include more (i.e. your ENTIRE entry, for which I did not have room in this particular format I used this time). I will keep you posted on the blog :)!
DeleteJust lovely! Happy birthday baby Noelle!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry! It was certainly special!!
DeleteHappy belated birthday Noelle!!! You're so cute!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! Of course, we think so, but we know we are completely biased :)!
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