Claire has 2 baby dolls that she loves. Loves them so much that she gives them kisses. Monty has sequestered one of her baby dolls but Claire made do with just the one she got for her birthday from my Tia (my aunt who we all lovingly call “Tia” which means aunt in Spanish). I know the last one is blurry – but look at that smile! Melts my heart.
I took these right before we were heading out the door – she’s in her new hat her great-great grandma made for her…really, she loves her dollys!
And now for the winner, winner, chicken dinner! Drum roll please… (I used random.org to get a winning number and associated that number to the person that commented the nth time.)
Karen, please email me to schedule your photo shoot!! So excited!!! :)
Thank you to everyone that participated!!! For those of you in CA, I will have dates soon along with some other fun stuff for you guys!
When Claire and Emma were in the NICU, I remember a family telling us that in their culture the child’s first birthday is usually bigger than a wedding. They felt it was immensely important to celebrate that child’s life and I couldn’t agree more. Yet, I find myself terribly conflicted – In less than 2 weeks will be the first anniversary of my giving birth to two of the most beautiful girls: Claire and Emma. Most of you know that we lost Emma 13 weeks later due to a congenital heart defect made even more complicated by Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). However, I do not want to mourn the loss of Emma on their birthday – I want to celebrate that she was here with us. That she was a little feisty baby who loved to be cuddled but not bathed. Celebrate all the things that she has given me.
So in honor and memory of Emma, I have started “Rays of Sunshine”: A day to appreciate the people that make our days brighter, to cherish the moments that glow in our hearts. A day to love. To laugh. To remember a princess loved forever.
Our heart’s deepest wish is to inspire a simple and memorable time with those you love. To take the time. To make the time to enjoy, adore and relish those who fill our hearts with light, laughter and love and give us a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
We will be having our Ray of Sunshine celebration on February 2nd, by releasing pink balloons and other special moments. Please join us as your “Rays of Sunshine” will give us a peek at what could have been and cherish what is. Where ever your sun is shining with whomever your heart loves, please join us. For you, for them and for Emma.
You don’t have to do anything fancy, a longer and tighter hug will do. Have a garden tea party, bake something sweet, sing at the top of your lungs and do a silly dance, pick fresh flowers and catch slimy frogs, indulge in something pretty, toast with a glass of bubbly. Above all be glad, thankful and cherish the moments that warm your heart.
You can post your photos, comments and thoughts on the Rays of Sunshine Facebook page. We will post our special moments filled with sunshine as well. Many thanks and much love to those who join us. Please feel free to share with others.
Hearing you sing while you play with your toys is the best way to fill a silent house. Seeing your face light up when you see your “baby” makes me giddy too. I hope to enjoy my food with as much fervor as you do. The animals delight your day and hearing you say “mum-mum” delights my heart.
Today was almost relaxing. Highlight: My oh-so-stupendous husband let me sleep in past 8:30am!! I so needed it, my neck and shoulder are still throbbing. Ibuprofen 800 was my BFF today. Our morning consisted of mostly errands, people watching, editing and a little cleaning. Our afternoon was consumed by cookie baking and football. Oh, and a non-napping child.
Oye. So not ready for tomorrow but excited none-the-less!
