July 5.........Emerson's 3rd Birthday.

Today was our baby's 3rd birthday. She didn't know, but I did. How fortuitous that we celebrated with her 3 weeks ago because her Aunties were down for a visit. She had her Dora the Explorer birthday party and her Daddy was there singing Happy Birthday to his baby. Today, I am grateful for that. Grateful that she had a day to celebrate, to be carefree and joyous. Grateful that he also had that day with her. I spent the morning today at home with the girls, quiet normal time. They had their morning "soup" (maple and brown sugar oatmeal, they eat it every morning) and played with new games. They dressed up in their favorite purple dresses and blew bubbles on the deck. I went to the hospital this afternoon. His mother was reading jokes to him when I got there, then she left to give us some time alone. I brought drawings from his daughters, and a picture of them laughing. He opened his eyes and seemed to study the drawings and the picture for a very long time. I told him it was our baby's 3rd birthday today, I sang "happy birthday" for him whispered to him the story of H's birth, as she likes to hear it " Once upon a time, Mommy and Daddy fell in love and got married at a beautiful ball.....they were very happy and had many adventures. They flew in airplanes and helicopters, swam in the ocean and lakes, and travelled on a big ship in the sea. One thing was missing....a baby! One day Mommy told Daddy that they were going to have a baby, and they were so excited! They watched and watched as Mommy's tummy got bigger, and bigger and BIGGER until it was time to go to the hospital. When they got to the hospital, Daddy put on his special doctors clothes (scrubs) and out POPPED baby H. and Daddy caught her! He wrapped her up in a special blanket and put a tiny hat on her head. He was so excited and so proud he took her out to meet everyone!" When I was reciting this familiar tale, the corner of his mouth lifted as if a smile. That was a good thing today, but bittersweet.