I used to keep a blog for my daughter when she was first born (it is still up, but I rarely post to it). We went through a lot initially, and I probably have hinted at it here and there.

To make a very long and emotional story short, Lila spent a month in the NICU after she was born not breathing (official diagnosis: hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). She was a great candidate for the Hypothermia Protocol at Children’s in Boston, thankfully, and did amazingly on it. She saw Early Intervention until this past November, she still sees a cardiologist annually, and is likely having surgery to close a valve in her heart this year.

(Side note: I fully believe that Lila wouldn’t be where she is today without Children’s. They are AMAZING there. I can’t even begin to describe how i feel about her nurses and doctors. They saved her life. Repeatedly. And I will NEVER forget that.)

The reason I mention all of this, is that she turns two today. And if you were to see her now (and many of you do), you would never know the trauma she experienced during and immediately after her birth. Her strength and perseverance are inspiring to me, every day. She is running around like a maniac. She loves Mickey Mouse, her friends, and the Glee version of “Forget You”. She’s not a fan of potatoes (even mashed! huh?!), sleeping with covers, or quiet time. She’s perfected the toddler pout, telling me “I do MYSELF!”.  And then in the next sentence says “sit next to me, mama”, and my heart explodes. She thinks time-out is hilarious, and HAS to push the shopping cart. She is determined, strong, stubborn, loving, gentle, and heart-breakingly perfect.

I wanted to share just a few photos, to show her (someday!) how far she’s come.

(Her first day home. Ignore my 3 year old editing!)

(One. And crazy!)(18 months)

(almost 2!)

(Posing for her birthday invitations.)

Happy Birthday, Peanut.

Love, love, LOVE you.