I'm not one to typically celebrate half birthdays. I usually just think..."Man now I have to make an appointment with the pediatrician."
Yesterday instead of thinking of a doctor's visit my thoughts were on the sweet little boy that came and went on his birthday. How strange it is to celebrate life and death on the same day. Only moments before my c-section I saw his little beating heart on the monitor...then I cradled his sweet lifeless body mere hours later.
Sunday I got all my tears out. I sobbed almost all night. I am grateful now because yesterday was a sweet day. It was filled with hope and smiles.In honor of the day we decided to do a balloon release. I invited a few friends to share the day with us. One of the friends is a fellow angel baby mommy, Kami. She was sweet to come with her sweet kids and husband. My other friend Jaime came and took pictures. It was really sweet of her.
With little notice we invited our families across the country to join us in the balloon release at sunset. They all rose to the occasion and sweetly connected to us though we are all in different places. It touched my heart to see all of them take time out of their busy schedules to release balloons for the nephew, cousin, or grandson that they haven't ever met in this life. It means more than they will ever know!
I asked everyone to take pictures and not everyone has sent them yet so I will add as I get them. But here are some of the pictures we have:
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| My family at Declan's Grave |
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| My mom said that their balloons headed south toward us |
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| My cute nephews- probably freezing as they released their balloons |
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| My friend Kami and hubby Ryan with two of their 4 children |
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| My friend Jaime took this picture and the next few |
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| Bryce watching the balloons |
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| Handing out balloons |
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| Christian and me holding the balloons |
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| Pointing out where the balloons are to Christian |
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| Emmy patiently waiting to let go |
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| Bryce telling us why we were releasing balloons |
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| Emmy playing with the balloons before we went to the park |
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| We chose green and brown because those were the colors of his nursery |
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| Our balloons headed north toward Declan |
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| Our balloons still heading toward Declan |
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| My niece Lindsey by Declan's grave |
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| My brother in-law and nephew |
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| The balloons my in-laws sent from Declan's grave |
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| My family put this balloon on Declan's grave |
As our balloons were heading away and the brown ones were only visible I saw them make a smiley face. It was so brief that no one else saw it, but there it was. It warmed my heart as if it were just for me. I'd like to think that the balloons my parents and sisters sent from Declan's grave met with our balloons.
Thank you to our wonderful families! You went above and beyond and we appreciate it! It means so much to our little family! We are so lucky to have you all in our lives!
I just got this picture tonight...
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| An angel baby mommy did this for us! She puts out pinwheels for her baby girl and she offered to put one out for Declan. It is so cute!! :) |
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| Another angel baby mommy gave these to me. They cheer me so much! Thank you my dear friend! |
