A year ago, my family was dealing with Justice’s open heart surgery.  He had his surgery in October and by December, he was still on oxygen but healing very well.  He had color in his cheeks and he was so much more alert than he had been for the previous 6 months of his life.

Justice was that miracle baby that was required to come into our lives to teach us a lesson.  I truly believe that he came into our lives to teach us about unconditional love and tolerance on such a different scale than we had every experienced it before.

In the last year, I have watched a beautiful baby who touched my heart every time I saw him grow into an amazing toddler that astounds his therapists, his parents, and all of us who love him.

Justice loves kisses.  I ask him if I can kiss him and he leans towards me, opening his mouth in that baby way of giving kisses.  He presses into me and I soak up the baby love.  And when we pull away, he never fails to give me the biggest smile.  You can see the joy that the kiss brings.  It is palpable.

My heart fills to exploding at those moments.

He had his first birthday and had his own cake that he shared with his sister, Willow, and his cousin, Kooper.

He experienced his first Buddy Walk in Phoenix in October.  People loved him and wanted to talk to him.

He has taken his first steps.  He is so proud of himself and we, too, are proud of him.

With his beautiful blue eyes, sweet personality and open arms, Justice has taught me about love and family and joy in more ways than anyone else ever could.


Justice in October