Catching Up

I had meant to get this blog post up on Saturday, but didn't. Then the headlines changed to Reilly's accident. But now that I have been looking at those pictures for two days, I'm reminded that I really want to see smiling, happy pictures!

On Friday night we had a fun evening with Mallory and her family. Before we went swimming and had dinner, Reilly and Mallory played hide and seek in the house. Ironically, they had on matching bathing suits. This picture was snapped quickly and is sooooo cute of both of them!

Reilly's Rough Day!

Here is a video Mike put together to remember Reilly's bad day. Be warned, that some of the pictures are bloody.

No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

It was a bad day for the Harris Family today. Reilly was playing with her friend, jumping on his bed. I can't relive the details tonight (maybe later for historic sake), long story short, she bashed up her nose pretty good. We called 911, she ended up having to go under to have stitches - we think 9 or 10. A fun day gone wrong. She fell asleep on the way from this hospital around 5pm and as of 9pm is still sleeping. We are thinking she is down for the night and are hoping she recovers well. It is NOT easy to watch your baby go through situations like this.

Before surgery


After surgery

The Three Amigos

I found the cutest thing tonight when I walked into the girls' room. Three Amigos...

Reilly



Brooke


And...Buzz!

Brooke's 7th Tooth

I'm not good at keeping up on Brooke's baby book. I guess I'm not great at Reilly's either. But I am pretty good at keeping this blog up.

So, as a quick update I thought I should hop on today to say that somehow over the last 24 hours, Brooke's 7th tooth cut through. I had no idea it was coming! Over the weekend, on our drive to the beach, her 6th tooth broke through. Layla and Jaime got to listen to the tears that were part of that. But this one came in without notice. Funny how that is possible.

I tried to get a picture of the teeth, but all Brooke wants to do is stand right now...so I couldn't get her to sit still to take a picture...this was the best I could do.

Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day! We surprised Mike and took him to the beach with the Gold Family for the weekend. Reilly is turning into a great swimmer and enjoyed impressing Mike and I with her fish-like abilities! Brooke enjoyed soaking up the rays and playing with little Layla. Reilly and Mason shared a room at the hotel and had fun staying up late. It was a super fun weekend!

A letter to My Son

Dear Brady,

It has been 4 years since you were born. You were the son we knew only through your kicks and rolls and ultrasound waves, and through the two Polaroid pictures we have of your gorgeous little face. But you have had such an impact on my life. It often feels socially unacceptable or awkward for me to talk about you, which makes me sad. So, on your birthday – its about you, whether I make people uncomfortable or not.

4 years ago, the rug was pulled out from under us. Losing you was tragic. The grief has gotten easier – people always say time has a way of healing, and it is true. But time doesn’t make me forget. I’ve had the great fortune of meeting some tremendous parents over the years, all who have angels like you – and what I have learned is that you never forget.

Today is a day to tell you that I think about you every day. Honestly, I do. Whether it’s when I look into your sisters eyes and think that you guys look alike…or when I see a kid around your age and am amazed how big you would be…or when I see Brooke looking at the ceiling and wonder if you are here watching over us…or when I wish I had a son in the house to play with his beautiful sisters.

You taught me a lot though, and some day Reilly and Brooke will have you to thank you for that. You taught me how to be a better parent – one that I couldn’t have been without being your mom. You gave me patience, perspective, appreciation and the ability to live in the moment. That is worth repeating. Patience. Perspective. Appreciation. Live in the Moment.

You also made me strong and showed me what a bond your daddy and I have.

I remember my pregnancy with you like it was yesterday, the excitement of finding out we were expecting…the way your daddy cried the first time we heard your heartbeat…the first time your daddy felt you kick…the moments you and I shared alone together…the names we picked out for you…watching daddy paint the nursery yellow (Reilly’s favorite color)…putting together your stroller…washing your clothes…walking to start labor…the last time I felt you move…the pain of being told by the doctor that you were dead….36 hours of labor…and letting your ashes go. What a range of emotions.

I wish you were here to celebrate your birthday with us. But, I can honestly say…if I had the choice to have never had you as part of my life…I wouldn’t choose that. Whether you are in my arms or not, you are in my heart, and you are forever my little boy.

I love you,
Mommy




Two stories about Brady: 1 and 2

Bath Photos

Words aren't needed here :-)

Cousin Ben is 5!

Cousin Ben had a birthday party this weekend and Reilly had a blast. Here they are explaining to each other that they are now 3 and 5!

The "Sticker Incident"

Last night will be one of those nights you never forget. For our family it will forever be known as the night of the sticker incident. You see...Reilly and Mike went out yesterday to buy a "ball game." They came back with a Little Tykes basketball hoop. It was very fun - they had it set up in the living room and Mike was having a good time showing Reilly to dunk and shoot.

As they were playing, I was cleaning up the kitchen. I found the stickers to go with the hoop - a giant, 8 inch diameter basketball with fire coming out of it. I asked Mike if he wanted to use it on the hoop. He didn't - but Reilly said "I want it." Stickers are one of her favorite things, and I didn't think much of it. So I told her to stick it on her tummy. OOPS!

Turns out that stickers like this are industrial strength. As soon as that sticker stuck to her skin...that was it. There was no coming off. I tried to pull at it, and her skin just tugged and tugged. She was tired, which didn't help so she cried. I put lotion on it...didn't work. I sprayed Pam around the edges...didn't work. I called Poison Control...and the lady at first just told me to rip it off. I then explained that it covered her entire chest and was 8 inches and was yanking at her skin and she said "Oh my...don't pull it then." Gee - thanks!! But, in the end, she told me to soak it in vegetable oil. I did that for about 40 minutes...and no luck.

At that point, we decided it was time for Mike to take her to the After Hours Pediatrician. Luckily, on the way, he stopped at our friends, Rhonda and Carlos' house - they are both awesome doctors! As the story goes...it took a lot of vegetable oil...a few q-tips...and about 20 minutes - but Dr. Rhonda got it off! Thank you, Rhonda!! Reilly will be forever greatful -- and we won't blame the Magic's loss on the sticker incident. ;-)

8 Months Old

Brooke is 8 months old today! When I told Reilly she got so excited and wanted to know if we were having a party ;-) At 8 months old, Brooke has 4 teeth, and 2 more coming through right now. She is getting up on all fours as she prepares to crawl. She is lunging forward when she gets up...so I think before our 9 month update, she'll be there!

She is full of personality and has found her voice and her giggles. Here is a picture of this month and a cute video. i stopped the camera just as she was about to lunge off the couch - ha.

Water Play

It's camp time at school!! That means Reilly and the big kids get to do lots of swimming, and Brooke and the little kids get to play with the water. Here are a couple cute pictures of Brooke that her teachers took. Layla is cut off in them :-(...but you can tell they were playing!!

Brookie's Big Girl Bath

Brookie just started taking big girl baths this week -- she loves them, but...the first one speaks for itself ;-)

Dress Up

Reilly loves dress up - and has had so much fun playing with the dress up clothes she got for her birthday - here she is as Cinderella!

School Birthday

For Reilly's *real* birthday, she was at school. So, Mike and I brought in cupcakes for their snack time. Here is a video of the kids singing to her, as well as a few pictures of the kids enjoying the birthday treat!