Happy Birthday, Zebediah!

Today Zebediah, my little boy, turned three.

I gave birth to him three years ago today, at 11:50 PM.  He weight 7 pounds, 11 ounces.  His first act upon entering the world was to pee on all three of the nurses who were attending to him while I expelled the afterbirth and was stitched up.  I got to see him for all of thirty seconds that night - he had trouble transitioning and couldn't maintain his own body temperature.

I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

Things haven't been easy with him...

He was born with torticollis, which wasn't diagnosed right away.  Eventually, this led to Zeb having to wear a DOC Band to correct the flattened areas of his skull.



Wearing the DOC band has corrected his cranial flat spots for the most part.  I can still see it, but then I know what I'm looking for.  It also helped strengthen his shoulder and neck muscles, which helped to correct the torticollis.
Unfortunately, the torticollis and the DOC band weren't the end of my son's problems.  Last summer he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder.  He was seeing therapists several times a week to work on his gross motor, fine motor, and speech skills.  That ended last week, since that program ends with a child's third birthday.
We are extremely fortunate that there is another stepping stone for Zebediah: the Early Childhood Classes offered through the Janesville Public School System.  Due to the severity of his developmental lag - Zeb performs on the level of a 22-month-old in most skill groups, except for his cognitive skills - Zebediah qualified for this program.  The goal is to develop his physical and social skills so that he can function on the same level as children who have developed age appropriate skills in time for his entry into traditional kindergarden.
He attended his first day of school yesterday.  I missed out on being able to take him to school - I had to work.  Daddy got a couple of pictures for me though.  I've met his teacher, a wonderful caring woman, and all of the therapists he'll be working with in the Early Childhood Classes.  I'm so excited and happy for him.  The structure and extended personal attention can only help him further.
Today was another school day, but it was also an awesome birthday.  A friend of the family met us at Toys 'R' Us, and bought Zebediah several new additions to his Thomas the Train collection.  Zebediah is train-crazy at the moment, and is obsessed with Thomas and Friends!  Afterwards, Zeb got to play in the tubes at the McDonald's Play Area.  

Now, he's passed out next to me, bundled up in a quilt of mine.  I can't believe it's been three years!  And, you know, despite the difficulties we've had, I wouldn't trade them for anything.  Zebediah is who is he is, and I think he's an amazing child.  He's so friendly, caring, curious, and happy.  
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZEBEDIAH!
I look forward to every birthday that I am privileged enough to share with you.