Henrik turns 2!

Henrik had a birthday, and we are done with the preemie life! I have never been so ready for something to be officially done. Going through the preemie experience a second time was like a bad movie sequel. It was the same basic plot without the magical feeling of seeing something for the first time.
Regardless, I am the luckiest person I know. A piano could fall on me tomorrow, and I'd feel the same way. We went through Hell twice, but exited unscathed, twice. We had not right to do so, but here we are.
I have so many more emotions wrapped up in Henrik's prematurity and hospitalization than I did the first time. These feelings create many cross currents. Yet, I settle on thankfulness. I carry with me a strong sense of thankfulness.
It's appropriate that Henrik was born close to Thanksgiving. I see him and am filled with thanks. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.It's a realistic holiday. Things could be worse, maybe things could be better, but how are you going to approach life? I choose thanksgiving. I didn't always, and I go through patches where I am less thankful than I should be, but I find my way back to the path of thanksgiving.
I'm thankful for Texas. We had so many generous, helpful, knowledgeable, and generally wonderful friends, family, and colleagues who helped us through the tough times. We had medical expertise, meals, babysitting, and that was just Deepa and Ray! So many people helped us in so many ways. Houston gave us Henrik. Whenever I see a "H" on an Astros cap, I think Henrik as much as Houston! I never imagined that someplace could feel so much like home in only three years. I owe so much to that ugly, crowded, fetid, wonderful, friendly, caring, generous swamp. as.
I could keep rambling, but I can't really think clearly. Happy Birthday, Henrik, We love you more than you will know until you have kids of your own. God Bless You! God Bless Texas! And, as always, don't mess with Texas.