Members In A Club We Never Wanted To Join

Today was Jake's birthday party but it was also an anniversary for a fellow Angel Mommy. Today was Carleigh's 1st Angelversary. Carliegh was born sleeping one year ago today. My heart goes out to Holly especially since we are coming up on our 5th on Friday. I am blessed I know these women but I hate that I met these woman being a member of this club. Never in a million years did I think I would be in this club. It stinks and sometimes I just want to scream. But then I stop take a deep breath and realize how blessed I truly am in this world. Unlike Holly who had to say goodbye while she was saying hello I got these amazing 9 weeks and 6 days with Ryan. That is a blessing that I will always remember. Here is to Holly and all the Angel Parents out there. We are members of this club we never wanted to join but we have each other. Either online or down the street we are always here for each other.
((hugs)),
Raye

Getting ready to release

Off it goes

Happy Birthday "Baby" Jake!

What a great day yesterday. My little guy turned 4. I know I talk about this all the time but it is hard and amazing watching them grow up. My baby is four. He will be in Kindergarten not his fall but next. We started the day with Birthday Breakfast. His choice was French Toast Sticks. He got to open his cards and his present from Mom & Dad while he waited for his breakfast. In the midst of eating his breakfast he told Doug it was the best breakfast. He is such a nut. He wanted to wear his Link costume top to Shayla's so he got to wear that and his hat. Thank you Shayla for sparing it from the cupcakes. That icing was very messy. He was very excited. Since he is now 4 he got to play on the top of the small play structure at Shayla's. Boy does he think that is cool. William had skills class so once they finally called it because of weather we went to dinner. Jake chose Pizza Hut. Thank the Lord we were not stuck at McDonald's or Burger King. When we got home Jake started to turn the light off over the table and getting a chair ready. I asked him what he was doing and he said getting ready to blow the candles out. I guess he has learned the routine in the Harrison household. We finished the night with Jake requesting another birthday breakfast. Guess he wants his day to just go on and on. But who doesn't?

Birthday Breakfast. Nice bed head

Jake showing off one of his presents. William gives the thumbs up.

Blowing out the candles. Yes he still has the costume on.

William reading one of Jake's books to him and Pepper.

T and A

Ok everyone take your mind out of the gutter. Friday little Jakie had his tonsils out. After waiting for 50 mins in the waiting room we were finally called back to pre op. I think the nurses got the vibe that I was hacked. Their lame excuses were not good excuses. Anyway... Once we got back into pre op things went pretty fast. He was not real sure about what was about to happen as these strangers were wheeling him away without Mom & Dad. They did let him take his deedee and his Julius back with him. The OR suite was just on the other side of the doors so I could see him going in and Dr Bryan came out to ask any last minute questions. I was hanging in there until Dr Bryan walked away and they shut the doors. Wham. It hit me. The flood of emotions from April 2nd came rushing back. The rational side of me absolutely knew this was routine but the Mom side of me had that band aid ripped right off. I know nothing was going to happen but the fear was still there. When Ryan was having all his surgeries they just wheeled him from the NICU into surgery. On top of that he was a newborn that was sedated so he had no clue. Not so much with a three year old. Once we got in the waiting room within about 10 mins they were calling us back to talk to the Dr. That was way fast. We had to wait just about another 10 mins and they called us back to see Jake. We walked with him from the recovery room to his little post op bed. Poor baby. He was trying hard to cry but it hurt. It was sad and humorous all at the same time. And I cried again. The flood gates opened for the memory bank and the last time I held a child after surgery came to my mind. For all of the heartache I went through I know this was the right decision. Last night Doug went to check on the boys before bed and he had to walk over and put his hand on Jake's back to make sure he was breathing. Yeah! No more snoring!! Now on to his birthday. I can't believe my baby is going to be 4 next week. Man how time flies!
Take care,
Raye

Getting ready

Only Mom can make it better

Jake stylin' ride out of the surgery center

Chhhh Changes

Wow what a week. We started with the sad news that Doug's Gram passed unexpectedly. When Doug was a kid he spent summers in El Paso with his Gram and Gramp. He told me he always enjoyed going to see them. Especially Gram's Poppy Seed bread she would make for breakfast. I got the opportunity to meet her last year when she came and visited Doug's cousin who lives, or lived, in the area. I actually got to meet the whole gang. It was great to meet another part of Doug's family. We made it work for Doug to go to El Paso for the service and was a pall bearer. I wish the boys and I could have gone but that was just not workable. Well Gram had a dog named Pepper and they weren't sure who was going to be able to take her. We have been thinking of getting a dog and two attempts in the past failed so we must have been destined to take Pepper. So far so good. She is very sweet and the boys love her. Now she just needs some bling for her collar. It was great to welcome her this weekend. Especially since today would have been my Dad's 82nd birthday. Wow. 82. I miss him so much but he has a very important job right now. I hope everyone has a great week. Jake is having his tonsils out on Friday so I will let everyone know how he does.
Take care,
Raye

Running around

Sweet girl

Look at that face