We're Going To Be Friends

"i can tell that we are gonna be friends

walk with me, suzy lee
through the park, by the tree
we will rest upon the ground
and look at all the bugs we've found
then safely walk to school
without a sound 

tonight i'll dream while i'm in bed
when silly thoughts go through my head
about the bugs and alphabet
and when i wake tomorrow i'll bet
that you and i will walk together again
cause i can tell that we
are going to be friends"

--The White Stripes 

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

I wasn't sure how to tell this story...
I wasn't sure I wanted to.
I wasn't sure how Rio would feel about it later
But it is part of her life
and "every little thing she does is magic."

We took the fam to Disney World for Rio's 3rd birthday.

Mark had a company picnic at Sea World the day before 

so we decided to make a long weekend of celebration 

for our beautiful girl.

She delighted in Shamu

She giggled her way through feeding the dolphins

She was in awe of the princess castle

She was kissed by Donald

and

She almost jumped ship on the Jungle Cruise

just to get closer to the animals.

It was wonderful!

Then on our last day at Fort Wilderness

she had a seizure.

She more than likely aspirated

but then she was given ativan

significantly suppressing her breathing 

and they intubated her

but they went too far into one lung

causing a minor collapse of the other lung.

The trauma to her little body was too much.

She was on a ventilator for 8 days.

It was horrific.

I'm appreciative that she got to enjoy the magic before the hell.

And we're thrilled to have her home

to hear her voice

to see her smile

to kiss her cheeks

and hold her hands.

The thing is that I've always known what a gift she is

I've always soaked every bit of her in

I've always been amazed by how lucky I am

to mother THIS child.

I don't need anymore reminding.

You hear me universe??