Hurray!  Dexter arrived home one year ago today.  As stated before, how time flies and what an incredible journey it’s been so far.  This 1 lb 13 oz fighter has turned into a 22+ lb comedian.  Dexter always has a smile on his face (or a big-eyed innocent, “who me?” expression) and the most infectious laugh.  One can’t help but laugh too when he turns on the charm and tries to make you chuckle either through gagging himself, deliberately wheezing, or repeatedly performing raspberries (that one gets Grandpa Loren every time).  This boy is a born charmer who will take over the world one day, with the help of his brother.  Seriously, put Nicholas and Dexter together and you have a mighty team.  Just wait until they learn to walk and talk.  Speaking of walking, Dexter took 6 unassisted steps this afternoon.  We are all on the cusp of another game changer.

Well, as you all know, for Nicholas’s homecoming party, we served cup cakes and Dexter would have no part of the frosty goodness.  For Dexter, Joel was determined to find a treat that incorporated Dex’s most favorite food – Cheerios.  He found a cookie recipe and I whipped them on up today.  Wouldn’t you know it – Dexter loved them and Nicholas didn’t, at first.  It took a good 10 minutes before Nic ate his.  Nurse Heather came over to help us celebrate before heading off to the NICU and Nicholas valiantly attempted to steal Dexter’s girl by flirting up a storm with Heather.  Even gave her kissy noises but Heather only had eyes for Dexter.  We followed Heather to work and showed off the boys to some of their previous nurses.  They were all very impressed by the boys.

Anyway, Dexter has come a long way in a year.  No more oxygen tubing for mom to step on.  No more nebulizing treatments.  No more diuretic medications.  No more puking up formula three times a day.  (On this note, it looks like Dexter may have a sensitivity to lactose – he is not a happy camper when we tried him out on regular whole milk and started to puke again.  He has no problems so far with the lactose free milk .)  Dexter now has a little pot belly and is still a body in motion.   We love you kiddo.  Keep growing, keep laughing, and keep eating.  You and your brother mean the world to us and light up our lives with the you-ness of you.