A very special field trip...

(Somehow forgot to publish this one. Oops.)

Hi Stink Stink,

Although this nickname may sound new to your fans it's something mommy has been calling you for a long time now.  Daddy and grandma gave mommy a hard time about how many other cute nicknames you have compared to Stink Stink but I have caught both of them using it from time to time.  It's a very fitting name for you because not only does it describe the serious mess you can fill your diaper with but it also is a perfect description of the mischievous demeanor you have from time to time.  Kind of like when you are pulling on your trach and mommy tells you no.  You seem to know what that means and typically let go but only after holding onto it an extra second and flashing a big smile.  

As daddy mentioned the other day you went on a very special field trip.  Up until now must of your traveling has revolved around doctors appointments but not this one.  This time you went to the Cincinnati Zoo.  But this wasn't just any trip to the zoo.  This trip meant so much more for several reasons.  

Long before you started growing in mommy's belly her friends started having babies.  Mommy was unaware that if you live in Cincinnati (at least if you are part of my group of friends) and you have kiddos you go to the zoo regularly.  It seemed that everyone was always at the zoo with their babies.  Mommy couldn't wait to be part of that club and introduce you to all the cool animals as well as all the other little kids.  When you started growing in mommy's belly we were living in Texas and didn't know we would be moving back to Ohio.  As soon as we found out we would be moving one of mommy's first thoughts was "Yes we can finally be part of the zoo club."  I dreamed of packing up all your goodies and trucking you up and down the hills in your stroller or strapped to my chest.  How much fun I planned for us to have. 

Then we arrived in Cincinnati and found out about all your health problems.  You were born and fighting for your life.  Mommy's zoo plans seemed impossible.  Less than six weeks after you were born another special miracle came into the world.  Her name is Ava.  One evening while sitting in the CICU waiting room we met two people that had the same look on their faces that we had had the month before.  Your daddy and I introduced ourselves hoping to provide some comfort and answers to Ava's mommy and daddy in regards to this bizarre journey they were starting.  Little did we know that this conversation would start a great friendship.  

Phil and Angel went through so many of the same things with Ava that mommy and daddy went through with you.  We sat together as each of you went through surgery after surgery (infact you got your trachs the same day).  We compared notes about medicines, doctors, and labs.  We celebrated when one of you would have a good day and hugged each other during those difficult days. One of the first things that Angel and mommy talked about when we met was being able to take our babies to the zoo.  Angel understood.  Taking you and Ava to the zoo wasn't just about making the trip to a place with lots of caged animals it was about wanting our babies to be able to do something that we had dreamed about for so long.  Months went by and no matter how rough things got Angel and mommy always said "when we both get out of here we're going to the zoo."  It even got to the point that the doctors and nurses knew this was one of our goals.  

Finally that dream became a reality.  You, daddy and I met Ava and her family at the zoo.  In your matching strollers, with matching vents, suction machines, pulse ox monitors and feeding pumps we strolled around on what turned out to be a beautiful day.  When mommy brought up the zoo plans to daddy he started to say "Connor's not even going to know we are at the zoo" and then he saw the look in mommy's eye and said "Yes honey I can certainly leave work early to go to the zoo."  I think somehow you knew how important this trip was to mommy too.  You had a fussy morning but the minute we got to the zoo you were relaxed and calm.  You seemed to like some of the sounds and even watched the monkeys swinging from the trees.  You and Ava took turns snoozing as we made our rounds chasing after Ava's sisters.  Finally you were able to meet the special friend you had heard so much about.  Crazy to think that you and Ava had never been able to meet despite being in rooms just feet apart for so many months.  I know this certainly isn't the last time you two will accomplish a first together.  As Ava's sister says "Connor is probably Ava's boyfriend."

The past eight plus months have been pretty far from what mommy thought having a new baby would be like.  I can't count how many times I have dreamed about taking you to the zoo but I could never have imagined how special it would be when that time finally arrived.  After sharing so many difficult and heart breaking experiences with Ava's mommy and daddy I am so thankful that we were able to share this very happy and special one with them.  

We love you Connor and can't wait for many more trips to the zoo.

-Mommy