NICU Reunion

Today was filled with excitement, joy and the special feeling of knowing you are surrounded by miracles.  It was our first NICU reunion!  As we walked into the reunion seeing everyone brought back a flood of memories and as I looked around the crowd of hundreds I knew that today would be quite a big day for Benton.  Not only was this Benton's first experience with crowds but it was also his first time seeing some of his old friends from the NICU.

Throughout the afternoon Benton charmed everyone with his gummy smiles and genuinely sunny disposition.  As we visited with his nurses and doctors Benton kept wanting to show off his new moves of sitting and pulling to stand.  In addition, everywhere we turned we ran into families we knew from the NICU - whether it be the families from the beginning of our journey or the end of our journey they all wanted to see Benton and see how he was doing.  It was so heartwarming to know that so many families we met throughout the NICU roller coaster had been thinking of us long after they had gotten to go home.  To know that our story had touched their hearts and that they had been praying for Benton's safe recovery meant the world to me.  It was so awesome getting to see Benton out of the NICU with his friends and hopefully we will be able to see many of them again soon.

Here are some of the best pictures of this amazing day:

Benton with his nurses: Kelsey, Michelle, Kira and Meghan

Benton's Buddies: Hugo, Jack, Gunner, Henry, Wynn, Giti, Gabe and Alex, Suzanne and Lucy