McKenzy's coming home day--5 years ago

I can't believe the time has come to celebrate McKenzy's coming home day again! Five years ago, she came home from the hospital after spending 70 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. For her, the time was not the typical roller coaster ride. She basically just needed to grow. She spent her time on the ventilator, than moved to c-pap, than room air with not many problems. She took the bottle the first time we offered it and LOVED having a bath. She was the biggest baby at birth, so she was the first one that we got to hold. Her only little glitch was that she couldn't pass her hearing test and so eventually she went on to get tubes in her ears. She didn't give us much trouble during her 70 day stay and she continued to be fairly easy once she was home. (For the most part!)

The first time that we got to hold McKenzy...doing kangaroo care...she was nine days old!

The first time that we got to give her a bath..she was so tiny!Jamahl was the first to greet McKenzy when we first brought her home.Today, five years later McKenzy choose to have hot dogs and Mac-n-Cheese for dinner, which was better than her first choice , hot dogs and mashed potatoes. Of course, we had to have cupcakes for dessert. She told everyone that this was her special day and enjoyed being the center of attention. We reminisced about her journey in the hospital and she was quite enthralled to learn some of the stories about that time in her life. She was however very bothered by all the things that we were telling her because she couldn't remember any of it!
McKenzy holds a special place in our family as the first born quadruplet. She is always telling everyone that she is the oldest and likes to use that to her advantage already. She is a little girl who embraces every aspect of life and seeks out the fun in it. If it isn't fun, McKenzy has no use for it! She still has a laugh that comes from her toes and her face and eyes are as animated as a cartoon character. She loves to hang out with the naughty boys at school and is proud is announce when she gets in trouble with them. She can be so stubborn which for now can be problematic but I know that stubbornness well, and it will suit her just fine in life. She is smarter than she will ever let on and loves to gives hugs and snuggle on the couch.

McKenzy, you keep us on our toes and always remind us that life has a less serious side. Thank you for your willfulness and persistence. The characteristics that you display will make you a very strong young woman someday. I enjoy that your life is an open book and we always know how you are feeling. Please don't stop trusting people and never stop laughing! The twinkle in your eye is contagious and we thank you for that! We love you!

Eating her hot dog with a goofy smile!Last but not least, a tasty cupcake for a sweet girl!