The Normal Things : Part 2

There was a time when we weren't sure there would be a future with Liam. When we weren't sure he would survive CDH, the repair surgery, his damaged lungs or anything else thrown at him. Imagining him older than he was or healthy was nearly impossible. 

Then there was a time after he survived CDH and all of what NICU offered, that we didn't know if he would have a future where he could do normal things. The future seemed sketchy so I tried to live for just the day, maybe even the following day if I felt brave. I couldn't see my baby  boy playing in a pool or attending races or riding a bike. I couldn't see him walking through the mall just taking in the sights. I always wished and prayed for it and kept hoping. 

You look at Liam today and it's hard to believe that tiny baby in NICU that was fighting for his life was him. 

But I've learned from my own past as well as Liam's life that the past does not always dictate the future. 

You can choose to let the past claim you and overtake you or you can choose what your future will be. 

For me happiness is all I need. 

In the past we never would have even thought of taking Liam to the races... Of ANY kind. Between the noise and the crowd of being potentially carrying viruses it wasn't an option. 

Now look at us:

We used to go to the mini sprint races all the time before Liam was born. We loved it. We haven't been since he was born. Last Friday night we decided it was time. We bought both kids eat muffs to cut out the noise just in case. Lanie has sensitive ears and wore her most the time.

Liam however is another story. He LOVES the sound of the cars loud engines roaring as they race. We kept putting the ear muffs on him only to have him take them off again. 

Liam has racing in his blood. He doesn't are what kind of cars are racing, he loves them all. 

I loved watching him cheer on all the cars. 

He even took his sister purple checkered flag to cheer on the race. 

Both kids had a blast. We can't wait to go again for the next race. 

Cheering is very hard work and Liam finally lost the battle against sleep during the last race. 

The normal things are what make all the medical appointment, meds and hospital stays bearable. They make life fun and give us reason to carry on.