Name in the Sand

We were given an absolutely beautiful gift from someone I do not know, in fact she lives in Australia! It is a simple but kind sort of gift from someone who knows...

I'll explain.

If you read blogs at all chances are you read this one. I am enthralled with her writing, her eloquence. I find it inspirational at times too. We live in a small world don't we, and as it seems in more ways than one? 

First small world incident: So by no surprise(but really it is!)this blogger, MckMama, knows a friend of mine here in Colorado. This friend has a perinatal hospice agency called Strings of Pearl, a truly amazing organization! Well long story short through reading others blogs about life, family and particularly loosing a baby I came to this site. 

Second small world incident: An old high school friend recently lost her daughter, she was stillborn. We have reconnected. She had an amazing picture taken of a sunset with Ivy's name in the sand. It is absolutely beautiful! I kept forgetting to ask her where she got it...well now I know. 

And now I have a beautiful picture of Jack's name in the sand behind a beautiful Australian sunset. 

I will cherish it forever, this beautiful gift given to us by a stranger. 

Fathers Day

Happy belated Fathers day! I know I am a day short, but better late than never right! Of course with the passing of Fathers Day yesterday I reflect on the fathers Garett and I have in our lives.

There is of course the two grandpas of Garett. 

Grandpa Steve is a have fun, picking on you, picture taking, remodeling the house, gets your hands dirty, work hard, loving type of grandpa ( and a wonderful father-in-law too!) I know Hans would agree and say his dad is his hero, the person he most wants to be like as a father and a person too! Hans values no other opinion (except maybe mine, of course!) more than his dad's!

Than there is my dad and Grandpa Eric. He is a have fun, playing sports, teaching lessons, maybe coaching Garett in some sport, target clothes buying, wisdom giving, absolutely loving grandpa. He not only is a wonderful grandpa he is my dad, who is my hero (along with my mom too). I am who I am today, I am the parent I am because of him. He is by far the smartest person (other than maybe my brother Michael) I know! He is insightful. He taught me how to be tough, how to have character and to be proud of the person you are. He is just simply put an amazing dad! 

And last but most certainly not least is Hans...we all know who he is! For the last 20 months and 22 days we have been parents together through the darkest time of our life to the most joyous. There is no one I would rather walk this path with. He is an awesome dad and even at 20 months old, Garett gets how lucky he is to have a dad like Hans! There is nothing better than to see Garett run to the door with a big smile on is face when Hans comes in from work yelling, "Hi Dada!!" It is really kind of difficult to put into words now that I try to! Plainly said, he is just a absolute great dad! I feel blessed to be able to parent along side him! 

So to all you Dads (and soon-to-be Dad's) Happy Fathers Day, we love you! 

Garett & Mom

Last weekend Garett and I spent the week, just the two of us! Hans was in Chicago celebrating a bachelor party...and surprise, surprise he had a great time! 

So, that left Garett and I back at home in Colorado. And minus the 5:30 am wake up calls EVERY morning, we had a great time. It is kind of fun to spend a day or so just hanging out, doing fun things. We went to Target (which I always find fun!) and wandered through the toy section. After examining and trying out many toys he settled upon a xylophone. Really, I settled upon the xylophone, he would have preferred a giant stuffed pony...I won. We ate at Subway. I discovered if you barricade him into the booth, he isn't so bad to eat out with. This way, it gives him a chance to move around AND eat...we both win!

On Saturday we went to a class at a place called My Gym. He basically got to run around with other little kids for an hour. He had a good time. At one point they all sat in a circle to sing, but not Garett, he wanted nothing to do with the sitting. He would much rather climb on ANYTHING...so he won. He climbed on everything, he especially liked the ball pit too! Which I am sure is fun but all I could think of was, "how in the world do they clean all those balls?" which led me to assume they probably don't...ick. At least it isn't cold season! But it was fun for him and me. Interesting to see him interact with with a group of kids. Too bad the class is a little steep on the money side...I am not sure we will be going back. They conveniently tell you that after the class. Oh well it was fun for an hour. 

After a LOT of playing outside for the rest of the weekend, it was Sunday and Hans was back! It sure was nice to spend some mommy and me time. But we are always happy to have dad home too!!

Amazed

I had a moment  last night at about midnight. Garett had woken up for some odd reason ( i think he is getting yet another tooth!). He was crying so I offered to rock him him until he calmed down. As he and I were rocking in the dark and he was laying on my shoulder, I realized how big he is! As he lay there against me falling back asleep, his legs no longer fit. He couldn't stretch out anymore, instead his legs reminded me of frogs legs, his knees bent up trying to fit. His arms around my shoulders, giving me a pseudo hug. And than I was immediately taken back to the NICU, taken back to the first time I held him. He lay on my chest, so small, like he fit perfectly. His legs didn't even reach my waist. He was so incredibly small. 

And as we rocked I felt so incredibly proud of this little boy in my arms. I am sure we rocked for awhile, I am not sure how long and it didn't really matter. And as I laid him back down to sleep I walked out of the room realizing just how far he has come in 20 short months...amazing.