"I'm so excited tomorrow's my birthday!" Elias says as we lay together in his bed. His whole body shakes--his head bobs, his legs bounce, his arms wave.
Elias doesn't just wear his excitement on his sleeve, he embodies the emotion with every cell. You always know when Elias is excited about something because his limbs dance as if his small frame can't contain his feelings. He doesn't just smile, he literally radiates.
Elias's birthday.
(And here I could write about the trauma, about the baby boy who arrived four months premature, via emergency c-section, in the middle of the night, without a heartbeat in his far too tiny chest...I could tell you that I still get triggered from those days of wondering if he would live or die and that I had to believe he would be OK--read that as normal, healthy, able--in order to let myself love this tiny being that wasn't suppose to be outside of my womb...oh I could write, but.)
It's Elias's birthday.
"What are you most excited about for your birthday tomorrow?"
Elias's body stills as he thinks. "Having a special snack at school."
"Mmmm, like bananas and onions?"
"Noooo," he smiles. "Like cupcakes and..." He starts to turn his head and pumps his legs against the bed. "...Our own juice boxes!"
So now its almost midnight and the cupcakes are baked and frosted with chocolate. (Nick will do a CostCo run in the morning for juiceboxes.) A birthday balloon sits on Elias's chair at the kitchen table. A new sled awaits him in the living-room.
My micro-preemie is turning seven.
And maybe he's not "healthy" and fully "able" but he's a first-grade boy excited about sharing cupcakes and juice with his classmates. How normal is that?
Today on the playground he actually called a girl by her name and said, "Do you want to play with me?'
She smiled up at me and turned back to Elias. "Sure," she said.
"Come on!' Elias said as he climbed the stairs to the slide. "We're playing!"
Perhaps her affirmative answer was influenced by the fact that his mother and the school counselor stood nearby, but still, I'll celebrate.
I'll jump up and down with Elias and wave my arms in the air. The boy who wasnt suppose to survive is going to sprinkle his classroom desk with cupcake crumbs and squirt juice in the air.
Happy Birthday Bud!
And I know this photo is blurry but I think b/c of Elias's limited vision I find myself drawn to it.
Posted by: Christy | 02/02/2011 at 12:14 AM
That picture captures Elias' joy perfectly. Happy birthday to Elias!
Posted by: Lee | 02/02/2011 at 05:14 AM
So much to celebrate! Happy, happy birthday, Elias! The world is blessed for your presence.
Posted by: niksmom | 02/02/2011 at 05:37 AM
Happy Birthday Elias!!!
I was thinking about Elias the other day and remembered my little Brother's elementary school class.(We moved there when my Brother was 8) There was a little boy that had to use a walker due to CP. As they all grew up together he was always taken care of by the other kids even though he couldn't do everything they could do right away. And when they all graduated together he was the class speaker! It was wonderful to see them all feel so connected to each other even though they were different. I noticed he was always so accepted with everyone in the high school (and coming from a military background where we moved every couple years, this was VERY unusual to me). I just wanted to tell you that story. He and my Brother are still friends.
Posted by: massageon | 02/02/2011 at 05:50 AM
Happy Birthday Elias! 7--wow--10 is coming at you fast! :-)
Posted by: Ginny | 02/02/2011 at 06:07 AM
Christy, your description makes me feel like I'm right there in the room with you.
So, onions are on the list with bananas? ;)
Happy Birthday Elias!! Enjoy your day and your special snack!
Posted by: Faye | 02/02/2011 at 06:29 AM
Great blog! So proud of Elias on his 7th birthday! Wish we could be with you all on his big day. Will try calling tonight.
Posted by: Mom and Dad | 02/02/2011 at 07:13 AM
Happy Birthday!!.....I don't believe he's seven!...I hope he has a special day....a bear hug to this lovely big boy!
Posted by: Sara | 02/02/2011 at 08:07 AM
happy birthday indeed. love to all of you. enjoy the chocolate.
Posted by: fleming | 02/02/2011 at 09:00 AM
Happy Birthday, Elias!! I can't believe it's been 7 years since our boys were so little! They're definitely now the active, inquisitive ones, aren't they? Kieran also sends his birthday wishes (yes, he remembers, and even asks about Elias =)).
Hope he has a wonderful day!! Hugs to all of you (I know how hard this day is for you, too!)
Posted by: Glyn | 02/02/2011 at 10:11 AM
Where has the time gone- it feels like yesterday to me when I was following the miracle of his birth. WOW- 7!!!!Happy Birthday Elias.
We have to hear about his special day in your special words.
Posted by: Noel Dennehy | 02/02/2011 at 11:52 AM
Happy birthday Elias! I'm so excited your turning 7 and choosing a great way to celebrate with cupcakes and juice boxes, yummy! I can say I knew you when and now look how you've grown.....
Posted by: Nurse Tara | 02/02/2011 at 03:06 PM
What a wonderful celebration Elias has planned! I wish birthdays could always be filled with cupcakes and juice boxes! Happy 7th!
Posted by: Shelley | 02/02/2011 at 03:22 PM
OR she was just as pleased as you that he had asked her to play.
Happy Birthday Elias!!!
Posted by: Kris H. | 02/03/2011 at 07:05 AM
Happy 7th birthday Elias! Enjoy your special cupcakes and juice boxes while celebrating the joys of being a seven year old boy. It is amazing to look back on their birthdays and reflect on the turmoil, joy, and changes each year brings.
Kellie
mom to Carson (30 wkr) and Elias (25 wkr)
Posted by: Kellie | 02/03/2011 at 08:13 AM
Happy Birthday to Elias! You made me cry when you doubted of that little girl...
Posted by: Ellie | 02/05/2011 at 07:19 PM
Aww I share my birthday with Elias!! Hope you had a great day, buddy!
Posted by: Kaile Meyers | 02/10/2011 at 04:21 PM