Look Who's 1!!! (And some updates)

Brooklyn had a wonderful first birthday on 12/10/14.  She received some fun gifts, the highlight being a Monkey toy (you can see it HERE, including a video), some new pacifiers (which always magically disappear in our home), a doll, etc. The highlight for everyone, including Brooklyn, was her first piece of cake.  Here are before and after pictures (I do want to note that we DID NOT have her eat the whole thing, although in the second picture it looks like she has given the missing cake and "I'm stuffed" look on her face):

We have never had a child go after a piece of cake so excitedly as Brooklyn did.  I have some video from my phone that I'll post when I can make it work.  We feel so blessed that she is doing as well as she is.  Her demeanor is jovial, her happiness is calming, her courage is commendable, and her presence is hope-inducing.

Brooklyn had her eye surgery a week before her birthday (on 12/3/14).  According to the surgeon things went well. In the initial days following the surgery, we were concerned as the eyes were not lining up like we would hope, but of late they are looking much better!  That day Jenny actually tried to watch a YouTube version of a similar surgery - I did not want to see it. Jenny could have been a great doctor with her interest (and stomach) for such things.

Brooklyn's next (and hopefully last, for a while) surgery will come shortly.  I'll post an update after we see how it turns out.  Given her track record we are optimistic, and we are grateful for all the support during this time!