Happy Golden Birthday Grace!

I can't believe that 5 years ago today (after 40 hours of labor) I gave birth to my daughter Grace.

She was 6 weeks early due to toxemia, but still weighed in at 6 lbs. 9 ozs. pretty hefty considering.


This picture was taken a day after we got home from Milwaukee (after her heart surgery). If you look close you can still see the iv mark on her hand. She is in a newborn outfit, she did drop some weight and nothing fit her right, but htat was ok, she was still a little peanut.

I think of everything that we have been through in the past 5 years and what the future holds. I am proud to call this little girl my daughter. She has her moments, but for the most part I wouldn't change a thing.

One of my favorite things is how loving she is. She tells me every day that no matter how old she gets she will never stop cuddling with me (as a parent I know that this will end, sooner rather than later, but I keep my hopes high that it will last for quite awhile yet.


She also asked me if now that she was 5, it meant that she couldn't snuggle in bed with us anymore. She has a bad habit (as well as my younger daughter, Ella) of getting up in the middle of the night and crawling in bed with my hubby and I. I know that I should take them back to their own beds, but I am greedy for the time with them so I leave them. They will be on their own soon enough.


So, tonight it's off to the restaurant of her choice. She would normally choose Chinese, but because they won't sing happy birthday to her we think she might want to go to The Olive Garden.

I don't care as long as I get to spend the day with her. Love you Grace!

Happy 74th Birthday Nana!

Today my Nana turns 74. I have put a picture of her and my Papa holding Grace when she was born and a picture of her holding Ella when she was born. I wasn't able to find my more current pictures, but that's ok because this is the way I like to remember her.

Her health has deteriorated quite a bit over the last 4 years. She has had two angioplasties, a hip replacement, and now suffers with end stage COPD and gall bladder problems. She actually should have her gall bladder removed but her lungs would not survive the surgery so she instead needs to try and control her attacks through diet. There is no hope of excercise for her, as both of her knees need to be replaced. They are actually bone on bone at this point, but again there is no chance for surgery. She also has been on steroids for too long, so now they have to try and wean her off. This will cause her more pain, and could make it even more difficult for her to breathe. Add this to the fact that her oxygen is no longer covered by Medicare so she has to worry about how to pay for it. You can just imagine what kind of life she has.

But, that said, this is one of the strongest women I know. She insisted on doing Thanksgiving at her house (like she has every year since I've been born) and she does EVERYTHING. And, this is for over 30 people just for the main meal, with other people coming later in the day (we usually eat at noon). She has had a rough life, but no matter what I can call her and she always makes me feel better. Even though I tell her how much I love her, and how much she means to me, I'm not sure words can express how grateful I am to have had such a wonderful role model for my life. I only hope that I can be half the woman she has been, and I hope that if I face some of the circumstances that she has, I will have the strength she has tried to instill in me to get through them as she has.

Happy Birthday Nana - I love you!