We're taking it one day at a time with Cecily. We have had some good days and some ups and downs, too. We are just trying to advocate for Cecily to ensure she receives the best medical care possible. We know she is doing better but that is not good enough for us! We know she is still in pain and we won't give up fighting until we know every day is a good day for her.
We continue to be inspired by the generous designers that have reached out to us - and those that have responded to our gracious requests for help. It is encouraging to see the support that exists in San Diego for children with special needs. It is strange to be constantly asking people for favors or help. I have always been a "do it myself" person. We are just so appreciative and grateful.
I know many people think that it is crazy that we're trying to build a charity while our world is spinning - but that couldn't be farther from the truth. To be able to help families and give in a very small way helps us keep balance in our lives and inspires us to be better parents and better people. It also will set an example for our kids as they grow. Yes, life is crazy! But life is what you make it. One of the gifts that Cecily has given us is the gift of perspective. This is a gift that keeps on giving. When my day job takes a turn for the worse, or when things don't turn out the way I may have planned, I don't worry in the same way. It will work out. Life is what you make it. Onwards and upwards!
We were discharged yesterday from the hospital and we are so grateful to have Cecily at home. Noah is thrilled! Cecily is doing great and we just hope this wonderful progress continues.
We would like to thank the nurses at Rady's for the wonderful care they provided to us during our stay. We feel like family when we are there because the nurses truly go above and beyond. This visit was no exception and I wish we could do something to recognize their efforts. We'll give a special shout out to Stacy S., Katie T., Jen G., and Amanda C., for giving 110% each and every day. That said - we have never had a bad nurse at Rady's! We just love these ladies!
We'd also like to thank Dr. Wood for calling every day, multiple times a day, to ensure we were doing ok. And for coming to visit us on a Saturday to speak to the Doctors on our behalf. She is such a true gift to Cecily and our family.
We are just so happy to be home! This is the start of a new phase in our lives and we will pray for all good days ahead! Onwards and upwards!
Cecily is still in the hospital. We are optimistic that they are getting closer to helping her feel better. Noah misses his little sister and having his family at home with him. Thank goodness for Grammy and Grampy for helping to care for him while we take shifts at the hospital with Cecily. She is resting peacefully right now. For this, we are grateful.
I didn't write this but my Dad received it in a forward (no author provided) from one of our dear family friends. For me, this is is advice I need to follow. After the birth of Cecily there has been a lot of dust in our house. This makes me feel a lot better about it...
Remember...a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath it. 'A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture.'
I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect 'in case someone came over' Finally I realized one day, that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!
Now, when people visit, I don't have to explain the 'condition' of my home
They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun.
If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.
Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed. It is time to ponder the difference between want and need !!!
Dust if you must, but there's not all all that much time...with wine to drink, rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair...a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around, again...
Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it won't be kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust! Share this with all the wonderful women in your life. It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
Onwards & upwards!
Happy Mother's Day! On this day I have a chance to honor my Mom and all the wonderful things she taught me - and everything she continues to teach me about life, loving and being a Mom.
Everything I learned about being a Mom I learned from my Mom, Cecily. My Mom is generous, honest, loyal and compassionate. She puts the needs of others, especially her children, above anything else. She gives with her heart first and never asks to receive. She will not ask for anything for herself. She prays for others and cares for others. She adopts people in life who don't have families and treats them like her own family. She is not selfish or hurtful. She appreciates people for what they bring to the table and she does not judge. She is patient. She is hard-working. She is a role model. She is my Mother!
She is a good Mom, a loving wife, a wonderful Grammy and a gift to our family. She cares for baby Cecily and Noah and she is fierce. (sometimes I think she may be too fierce!) She is a lioness and she is protective. She will stand up to anyone or anything that tries to hurt her family. She is an advocate for us and she always will be.
She is a nag - but a loving nag! She is always trying to keep us going in the right direction. She is a friend. She is what I hope I will be for my children when I am her age. She is young at heart and she enjoys a good time! She knows how to party (sometimes too well!)
I wish I could do more for my Mom. I wish I had known my Mom's Mom. I wish that I had appreciated my Mom and Dad more before having children. I wish that I had recognized all the sacrafices they both made for me while my sister and I were growing up. It wasn't until I became a Mom that I truly realized what it meant to be a Mom. I am grateful for Mother's Day so I can honor my Mom and tell her what she means to me. Thanks for setting the bar high and for pushing me forward every day.
Happy Mother's Day to all Moms! It is a hard job - but the best job! I wouldn't trade it for anything. Onwards and Upwards!
There are days when I wonder if Cecily knows that I'm her Mommy. I always want to believe she knows... but when we have a rough patch or when I don't get sleep and I'm stressed with work or other silly stuff I start to obsess about things like this. But today... she told me with her legs! She kicked the word Mommy - this I'm sure of! When I came home from work I was greeted with happy leg kicks and little body shakes (not seizures!) This is something I took for granted with Noah. His body used to shake and his legs would kick and his face would break out in a huge grin when I'd walk in the door to pick him up from Grammy and Grampy's house after a long day at work. Today I won't say it was the same thing - but it was equally great! Cecily put her arms up a little but she kicked her feet like crazy when she saw me! It made some of the other "stuff" seem not as important.
It looks like Cecily is going to have another procedure. We'll just cross our fingers and hope we can get it scheduled quickly in hopes of keeping her happy and thriving.
Cecily's Closet has enabled me to meet some really great Moms. Fierce Moms! Moms that advocate for their children. With Mother's Day around the corner I just wish I could say yes to all the Moms that are reaching out to us to help their children. We want to say yes to every request. We will get more funding! We will do more! I just need to remember baby steps.. It took Cecily a while to kick her legs for me... but we're going to kick our way into the hearts of local San Diego businesses in hopes of spreading our story and our mission to provide assistance to families of children with special needs. Onwards and upwards!
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