Cox Family: MAY 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

- Connor and Ethan turn one month old on May 6, 2012.

Ethan (in NICU) at one month old.

Connor at one month old.

- Ethan has surgery on May 9, 2012. The small collapsed piece of his bronchus is removed and the other portions are sewn back together. Brian and I feel terrified, hopeful and elated across one morning.

Brian and I with Ethan the day before surgery.

Sweet Ethan at one month of age, a few days before his surgery.

- On May 11^th, Brian and I remember our firstborn’s (Kevin Michael) flight to heaven five brief years ago. We smile and send a birthday wish to this little angel. Kevin marked the start of our family and we will never forget him.

- Our family enjoys brunch at Central Market on Mother’s Day (May 13^th). Brian, Connor, Catie and Brandon sit on one side of the booth. I sit on my own side of the table. I am wished a happy day with lots of poopy diapers and a bunch of doggy vomit on the stairs.

Mother's Day Lunch at Central Market.

- Ethan moves to the Cardiac Recovery floor on May 15^th.

- On May 16^th, Connor comes to the hospital to reunite with Ethan. Their reunion consists of some dozing (Ethan) and some spitting up (Connor).

Connor visits Ethan for the first time since birth. Ethan has his feeding tube and oxygen tube on his face.

- Catie, Brandon and Connor visit Ethan at the hospital for the first time on May 19^th. I spend about an hour with all four of my amazing babies. The visit includes McDonald’s Happy Meals devoured on the hospital couch, Catie climbing in the rocking chair to peek into Ethan’s crib, me trying to hold Ethan while Catie and Brandon climb all over her trying to see their little brother, Connor dozing in his car seat and Brandon bumping his head on the door to Ethan’s room.

First time I have all four of my babies together. A sweet nurse took the picture for us and poor Connor barely makes it in.

- On May 19^th Ethan gets pneumonia and heads back to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Brian and I come so close to bringing little Ethan home and now he has to spend another few weeks at the hospital recovering. We are heartbroken.

Ethan checks out a balloon in his bouncer seat as he recovers from pneumonia.

Ethan trying out his new Boppy.

Ethan and his gorgeous soulful eyes.

- Ethan breathes air on his own for the very first time on May 24, 2012. We experience an amazing surge of joy. No more help breathing for this strong little man.

A closer view of Ethan in the Boppy.

Me with Ethan. One of his super sweet nurses, Laura, captures a moment Ethan and I spend together at the hospital.

- Grandma Judy, Grandpa Bob and Uncle Brad come to visit for Memorial Day weekend. Our family experiences beautiful breezy mornings and evenings. Ginger comes with Uncle Brad and delights Catie and Brandon with her playfulness. There is a power outage on our street and Grandpa lights candles around the house.

Connor enjoys snuggle time with Grandma Judy.

Brandon hangs out in the play room with Uncle Brad.

Catie is swaddled.

- Brian works very hard at the VA doing Interventional Radiology. His devotion to his babies shows in all of his actions. He is a rock during a very stressful time for our family. He has several friends cover late shifts for him so he can be with our family during trying times. Brian and I are extremely grateful for the help of these friends.

Brian loving on his baby boy, Ethan.

Super Dad, Brian, visits Ethan after work everyday.

-

-

-Catie attends her first day of preschool on May 29^th. She is super brave and strong.   She does not cry one bit at school, but she does express a desire to be with Mommy. One her first day of school, she spends her outdoor time with her friend, Paul, looking for Mommy’s car in the parking lot.

Catie's first day of preschool.

Brandon joins the picture with Catie before we leave for school.

What a big girl! She has her pink lunchbox and giant pink backpack (the small one would just not do).

Daddy and Catie right before she goes to her first day of preschool.

- Ethan moves to the Cardiac Recovery Floor. He will be coming home soon.

Ethan's room on the Cardiac Recovery Floor.

- Connor keeps growing strong and making us a smile with his sweet newborn poses. I cherish the time with him as a tiny baby.

Connor conks out during tummy time.

Connor ready to get in the car.

Connor relaxes in his Rock'n'Play.

Swaddled Connor dozes.

Connor in his Bumbo.

- Catie and Brandon adapt to having a new baby brother at home and a new baby brother at the hospital. Their sweet smiles keep me going as I dash back and forth between home and the hospital. They play outside in their new inflatable kiddie pool. Squirting the hose is a favorite activity. Catie figures out how to turn the hose on without help and Brandon’s new goal is to escape Catie’s attempts to discreetly squirt him.