Emma's Birthday Recap

Emma had a great day on Thursday. Turning four was a big deal.

Truly, I didn't want to have a huge birthday celebration for her. My reasoning was we had way too much going on, just had a huge benefit dinner, and were still not in the house. But my Mom and a few other friends helped me to realize that I should make a big deal for every birthday. I really didn't want to think this way--as though any birthday might be the last--but I guess it's reality. I must be in denial.

I attempted to take her to school Thursday, but she just wouldn't have it. Somehow, school is not as appealing as staying home with Grandma and cuddling on the couch while zoning out to The Backyardigans. So we ran some errands and had lunch with her godmother Jessica.

We were in a rush to leave lunch so we could make it to our therapy appointments at Texas Children's Hospital. Emma got to play some special games in physical therapy with Ms. Michelle and Ms. Lindsey. Ms. Hazel in speech therapy threw her a little party complete with cupcakes and gifts--too kind. Thankfully, this little sugar rush got Emma through occupational therapy with Ms. Ashley, who worked with Emma on some birthday art to mark the day.

She had such a fun day that she passed out in the back seat before we even got out of the parking garage. The nap continued back at home (my mom's house) and lasted 2 hours, just enough time to prepare for the little family celebration we threw for her.

When cake and candle blow-out time came, Hannah was super jealous and threw a tantrum, "me too," she cried. Hannah's 2nd birthday is next Thursday, the 20th, along with my Dad. We had to sing the birthday song twice to calm her down, but it was so cute. There was definitely more drool on the cake after Hannah was done with it.

Photos for your viewing enjoyment--please excuse the wonky color!

Birthday Egg Roll

Everyone has a birthday in November, except Mommy!

Party blower full of drool. Notice how many clothing changes Hannah goes through.

My baby is two soon!

Birthday spaghetti.

Yummy Cake.

My most favorite photo EVER!!! What a sweet look on her face.

Hannah's turn.

Spitting on the cake, er, I mean blowing out the candles-Hannah style. Oh, and clothing change number two.

Icing on the nose.

A very tired Hannah enjoys her Fairy Dress-Up Box gift. She wouldn't take the outfit off and slept in it all night long--so funny.

Happy Birthday Emma!

Dear Daughter,

Today is your birthday. I can't believe four years have gone by in a heartbeat. I don't know if I will ever be able to express in words the love I feel for you. I thank God every day for blessing me by bringing you in my life. More importantly, I thank God for keeping you in our lives.

This summer has been a particularly hard one, but it taught me so much. Thank you Emma for teaching me how to be strong. And teaching all of us how important every day is. I hope you have the best birthday today.

Love, Mommy.

It's Never Too Late For Thank You

So it's been a few weeks since the awesome Benefit Dinner was thrown for Emma on the 1st of November. And I have to apologize for not posting a public "thank you" immediately.

Truth is I was waiting for Mike to hand over the speech he gave so I can transpose it. Though he had most of it written down, his prologue was from the hip and I wanted to include that too. I should've known not to wait on a busy husband.

So anyhow, THANK YOU. Thanks to everyone who attended and supported us. Thanks to those that met for weeks in planning, and worked so hard at the event. Thanks to those that donated items, funds, time or talent to make the event a success and a blast to attend. I would thank each individual contributor, but I'm not sure who did what.

Big Audience
A few days before the Benefit Dinner, I was prepping Emma so that she wouldn't be overwhelmed by the event. In the past, she has had a tendency to freak out when the "Happy Birthday Song" is sung during parties. "Too loud!" she would say, covering her ears and crying. This was the case no matter whose birthday it was.

So I tried to prepare her for the Benefit by telling her that we were going to have a big party for her. The conversation went like this:

Me: Hey Em, pretty soon we are going to have a big party for you, and all of your friends will be there.

Emma: Why? Is it my birthday?

Me: No, not yet. We just want to celebrate that you are getting better, that's all.

Emma: Oh. Will there be a big audience there?

Me: Well, sort of. We are going to see your friends, and teachers, and therapists, and neighborhood people. Everyone.

Emma: Oh. (She pauses to think for a minute.) Uh, sorry Mommy, I think I'm going to be tired that day.

Fortunately for us, she wasn't. No shyness--which I totally expected--and no fatigue. She was so happy and had so much fun at the benefit. She gave everyone a warm hug and ran around in circles playing "tag" with her little buddies. She and Hannah also tormented the poor balloon clowns and face painters the entire night.

Unfortunately, I was a bit too busy eating or chatting away with friends and neighbors that I didn't get to photograph my own event. Luckily, a few people have sent me their photos which I am posting here. If you took a few pics, please email them to me so I can include them in my keepsakes and post them to the blog. Thanks so much!!

Emma entranced either the live music acts (here and here) or the balloon clowns--I'm not sure which one. The following photos by Alisha Cunningham.

Mike's speech.

Holly on the phone.

The Cunninghams have fun.

Hannah's little partner in crime, Kat De Jong.

Andrew Karnavas plays for the crowd (not pictured, lol.)

Diane with the face painters.

Heather and Kate the Princess.

The Galindo's and friends.

Will and Louie taking a break.

Kristi and Noah partying down.

Laura and friends help with the food.

Little Katie gets her face painted.

The clowns were a huge hit!

This is our family on Halloween night. Photo by Alisha Cunningham. Thanks Alisha!

Emma with good friends Kylie and Clare. Photo by Mrs. Zugheri (Will's mom).

Speaking From the Heart
To avoid waiting yet another few weeks, I have decided to just blog the part of Mike's speech that was written. Sorry folks, you don't get to re-live his humor this time.

One day a storm came ripping through our lives, flipping everything upside down and knocking out our power. Getting through it took all the strength we had and we couldn't have done it without the support of our family and friends. Then three months later, (Hurricane) Ike came through Houston.

Early this summer, when life was "normal"--before "everything" happened--we never could've imagined that we would be tested by two very huge, very different types of storms rolling over our lives in the same few months.

Since Emma was diagnosed just over four months ago, time has taken on a surreal slowness and everything has been amplified: the love, the fear, the days, the minutes, the moments and the milestones.

As much as all of that, our deep appreciation and love for friends and family has grown, strengthened and solidified.

I am truly the luckiest man alive. Blessed with a beautiful, strong, amazing wife, three gorgeous, happy, magical daughters, a loving family and the most incredible, most unbelievably caring and generous group of friends, neighbors and extended family anyone could ever ask for.

You are the source of our strength and our positive attitude. You are the support and foundation that on those darkest days has kept us, and keeps us, from sinking into the quicksand of confusion and despair. You have literally and metaphorically been our shelter through these storms and we absolutely could not have made it this far without all of you.

Speaking on behalf of Emma, Hannah, Maysie, Jayne, myself and the entire family, we have been truly touched and humbled by the outpouring of prayers and support. We thank you with all of our heart.