Eleven years ago...
(long post alert - wordy and photo-filled)
on a Friday then too...
August 27, 1999
marked a special day for me.
My nephew Zac arrived
and I became an aunt.
A freshman in high school, I did not
find out that he was born until my sister picked me up.
A little insert here ---
in more ways than one, Zac would become a little miracle baby.
Allison had a miscarriage scare early in her pregnancy.
I think the doctors told her that she lost a baby, so Zac would have had a twin.
And then, the doctors admitted her several weeks
before her due date because of preeclampsia.
They decided to induce and Zac arrived about 3 weeks early -
a little baby weighing in around five pounds.
Because of the medication and Allison's high blood pressure,
she had to stay in the labor & delivery room a while
and Zac had to spend extra time in the nursery getting checked out.
I think I took one of the first photos of Zac:
It is amazing how a little baby brightens a life -
needless to say, he captured my heart.
When the doctors found Zac's heart irregularity
around two-three months later,
I remember watching him sleep and desperately pleading,
crying for God to touch him.
Without heart surgery, the doctors said he would not live long.
In early spring of 2000, Zac went in for heart surgery.
(around 7 months old?)
After long hours in the waiting room -
the doctors finished their miraculous tasks.
They created a valve for him and chamber dividers.
I wish I had the before/after photos to
show how his little, bitty body turned into a
swollen, fragile looking baby.
Zac quickly recovered - and he didn't
stay in the hospital long.
He carries a scar, as shown below,
as a reminder of God's goodness.
Zac celebrated #1 with bright, primary colors
and a Looney Tunes' cake.
(He had a Looney Tunes nursery.)
August 2000
In one of his first birthday outfits used for studio portraits...
a cute little grin...
The #2 party in 2001.
Zac loved tractors...he had a super-cute cake.
A few random photos from the 2-3 age....I had
to look for quite a few photos (and have Allison look too)
to fill in the gaps before digital photos.
Sigh...I wish that I would have had better photos.
Looking back over some photos I took back then makes me want to
take even more photos now.
Zac trying on my boots - with a too-cute grin.
Loved that t-shirt.
Christmas craft time.
August 2002 - a Bob the Builder party for Zac's 3rd birthday.
Randa and Kevin helped us decorate.
Thankful that the rain ended...
this photo below cracks me up.
On to #4 in August 2003 with a
western, "Spirit" themed-party.
Number 5 rolled around in August 2004 -
a circus and/or Dumbo themed-party.
In 2005, the "Incredibles" showed up at Zac's 6th birthday
party, held at the park.
And he jumped "over the hedge" to number 7
in august 2006.
And then in 2007, he had another park-party.
His 8th birthday had a dinosaur cake.
This excited 8 year old had quite a few teeth losses.
On to #9 in 2008, Zac just had a family gathering.
He loved that chocolate cake with truffles around the edge.
Just last year in 2009, Zac reached the 10 year old mark.
Wow - I can't believe time is going by so very fast!
And this year - 2010 - he turns 11.
A boy filled with imagination...
petals/leaves falling around him, his own idea of course.
A super-smart boy who loves to read -
his vocabulary is quite amazing.
It's funny because people say that he reminds
them of a certain someone. ;)
He has even corrected my grammar before.
An easy going, tough little boy.
He doesn't hardly cry - even with blood dripping.
His interests include super heroes,
food, computer games,
swords, and more...
My first nephew - Zachary Ross.
Goodness, I wish...
that I had photos like this from the past 11 years.
that I had the photos more organized.
and that the photos and memories were scrapbooked.
But such is life...wishes and dreams,
but not enough time.
However, I am taking time from this
super crazy, house-renovation period
to focus on a special person....
Happy 11th Birthday, Zac!
You are loved - dearly! =)
