12 months ago, my cousin Baby Joe was born.

Most births bring joy and happiness to their families. Joe's birth wasn't one of those cases. Joe was born during the 8th month in very dangerous conditions. He had just entered a time where his lungs would shut again and is pretty much the worst time for any kid to be born.

Joe was rushed to the emergency room and was put on life support for the time being until further examination.

If only it ended here...

Due to Joe's premature birth, he was born with an incomplete intestinal track and to make matters worse, without an actual anus. You can imagine the level of terror this caused both his family and us, his extended family.

Joe was put through excruciating pain and had to have his butt punctured using surgical rods. They had to extend his intestine using muscles from around his body. I thank God for medicine today.

After 3 months in intensive care and constant checkups, Joe survived as one of the healthiest young babies I've ever seen. He's obsessed with the color red, loves to drink Diet 7Up with me, and doesn't cry at all.

Today, marked Joe's one year. Today he was walking and running around my garden and I had no more joy in the world than to snap around 150 photos of him.

In 20 years when I'm 45, I will be asking you young one how your sex life is.

This is a tribute to you my young cousin for being the fucking survivor that you are and one day, I just might show you this blog & picture.

Lots of love,
The Big Joe

_{For all you techies:
Camera: D200
Lens: 60mm f/2.8 at f/5.6
ISO 400
Desaturated, curves, levels}