Thank You.

Last night I received a very special Christmas gift from an anonymous giver, delivered by a cute blonde girl I didn't know. She just smiled and said "no", when I asked if I knew her. I was so perplexed and overwhelmed with gratitude, emotion, and amazement that I don't even think I told the girl to tell the giver Thank You. So, Thank You. I have been awe-struck with this giver's kindness and generosity. This beautiful gift will be another sweet reminder of Hughie, in our home. I feel so very blessed.

Jolly Old Saint Nick.

We are coming up on a week before Santa makes his stop. Ruby wasn't so sure about him when she met him for the first time this year (we by-passed Santa's lap last year...what's the point if she is just going to be scared out of her mind?) No crying, screaming, or kicking was involved, instead, Ruby just stared at Santa in absolute silence. I don't even think she blinked. Classic.

Today Ruby and I wrapped some gifts. Me, thinking she is only two and wouldn't remember what we wrapped, let alone who they were for, didn't wait to wrap the gifts when Ruby wasn't around (nor did I refrain from telling her who the gifts were for). Major backfire. Tonight when Hugh got home she told him there was a movie waiting for him under the tree (she was hoping to watch it)...too bad that is the one and only gift I have for Hugh and it is now spoiled. Oh, well. Hugh got a good laugh, that should count for something. Happy wrapping everyone...barely a week before Christmas...we can't wait!

Face lift.

Thanks, Call for the new look to my blog. You really are one smart, talented, and beautiful girl. You must have gotten all of mom's creativity genes...which isn't fair because she has a lot. Nevertheless, I am glad you are putting them to good use to serve your older sis.

Where does the time go?

Can you believe my little Ruby is two? I can't. On Friday, December 10th, about 4:30 in the morning, Ruby turned two. I had been telling her her birthday was coming up in December and she would be two. So, when anyone asked how old she was turning, she would say, "two, 'cember." Pretty funny. We had a fun day celebrating Ruby. We started the day with a special breakfast and completed the day with a "Go Dog, Go" party.

Already at two, Ruby is starting to show a little attitude. When she doesn't want to do something (which is often these days) she looks at me with determination in her eyes, folds her arms, and says very convincingly, "I don't!" Getting her dressed in the mornings is almost impossible as she wiggles away from me before I can even get a new diaper on her. She is constantly singing and dancing to her favorites: Taylor Swift, High School Musical, and Princess and the Frog. She also insists we dance with her and then makes us twirl her around endlessly until we are about to throw-up. She loves spending time with her Grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and cousins. Thank goodness we live close to family. Every day I am amazed at how well she talks...pretty much in full sentences. It is almost as if I blinked and there she was...a big two year old all ready to be independent. We love you, Ruby.

{Breakfast for Ruby...blowing out her candle...which she has been practicing for weeks with all the candles around the house}

{Getting all ready for her "Go Dog, Go" party. She had to sit by her dogs and take a picture by them. She was pleased with all her dogs in party hats.}

{Another round of happy birthday...Ruby was a little overwhelmed by so many singing just for her}

{Ruby helping Tanner and Tyler with their ice cream sundaes.}

{Astrid was only interested in the frosting. Smart girl.}

{Nain and Mal looking cute in their party hats.}

{Ruby being spoiled by our wonderful families.}

{Thanks to these two for making the party happen}

{Ruby sporting some of her birthday loot}

The BIG project is complete...with success.

What a special experience it was to be a part of the Festival of Trees this year. It means a lot to me in so many ways. Primary Children's has been my home away from home for the past three years. In 2008, being a brand new registered nurse, I started my nursing career on the wonderful Children's Surgical Unit at Primary's. Being a nurse at Primary's has really given me perspective on life, as I have taken care of so many strong and brave families and their sick children. To be honest, I never thought I could be as strong as so many of these parents with sick children are. And I guess deep down I hoped I would never have to find out.

That February (can you believe we are coming up on a year?) afternoon, when my Hughie was transferred to Primary's, I felt some comfort knowing he was going to be in a place that was familiar. As I sat at the crib side of my son for almost a month, suddenly, my role changed. I was no longer the nurse, but the worried mother anxiously hoping my son would survive. And although my sweet son's time was short, I am grateful he received such great care from the NICU doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists. It's funny, as I often reflect on Hughie's condition, I realize at times it took me a while to really understand his condition, where had I been the nurse at his bedside, I would have realized what was going on a whole lot quicker. There is such a thing as nurse gear and mom gear :). Nevertheless, being a part of the Festival was a great way to keep Hughie's memory alive and to share a little part of him with the thousands of people who attended the festival. I couldn't have done any of this without great family and friends. I think it was therapeutic for all of us to work on this tree together. We had such a nice time the day we decorated...everyone was throwing up the decorations, I was stressing if they were going in the right spots, and low and behold, it turned out perfect.

A day doesn't go by that I don't hurt for Hughie. I don't think the longing to hold him and the homesickness for him will ever go away.

{Before the Fun Began!}

{The tree all complete..."Twinkle, twinkle, little star...take me where the cowboys are"}

{Hughie's sweet little hands}

{Busy getting all those ornaments on the tree}

{It really was a group effort}

{Ruby stayed occupied with dad, grandmas, aunts, and cousin Astrid...and climbing the ladder}

Freshlyground.

Hugh introduced me to this South African group. Check out this song and music video...it's so fun! They are quickly becoming a family favorite!