Savannah Mae turns three...

Dear Savannah,

You are now three!! Where did the years go? It seems like yesterday when we were living in the NICU at MGH. I am so glad we are home. The only thing I miss other than the staff and chocolate cookies is the shower. It was a very hot high pressure shower. I did have to wear flip flops though.

As tradition started last year, a cupcake for breakfast. This is to teach you that it is not an ordinary day, but a very special day. A cupcake was in order when you woke up. Crazy thing is, you slept until 11 am, like a teenager would do. We will continue this tradition of the breakfast cupcake each year.

You were spoiled with extra love. The weather was raw and chilly so we spent the day indoors. We ordered five guys and invited Nana, Eileen, and your cousins over for dinner, cake, and ice cream. You love burgers with ketchup and cheese. It was a good celebration of your life.  The last two years, we have not had a big party. They are overwhelming to you. However, we will always celebrate you on May 23.

I love you for everything you are. You are beautiful. feisty, and ever so sweet . You are learning more and working really hard. I am proud to be your mom..

I love you, my little love bucket!!

Love, Mommy

The cake was a three, cut by Daddy, frosted and baked by Mommy.

Mimi picked the best flower garden!!

Thinking about all my presents!!

Spoiled!!

Therapists are like family

Dear Savannah,

Every night, I put you to bed and within thirty minutes, you are awake. Night after night after night.  Tonight was not an exception. I turned on the monitor at just the right moment. You were giggling. I wonder if you think this is a fun game? I really don't mind, it just disturbs the sleep you need. Maybe you are excited about your birthday?

Awake and happy about it:)

This past Friday, we started to say goodbye to the life we are so comfortable living. Therapy is ending, tomorrow. We had our last visit with Arielle on Friday and Holly and Mary today. I have been extremely emotional with this change. I know I will miss them. I am worried about how it will make you feel. You have been receiving therapy in our home ever since you were three months old. Our therapists are family to us.

Arielle, your SLP

You have been a little rock star lately. Last Friday, you sat independent for near thirty seconds. That's huge! You have been looking for your food when we feed you by turning to locate your spoon. You love to stand with support and even protest me putting you in your stroller, car seat, or on the floor, by standing. You are also quite content lifting your head while on your tummy. You are such an awesome little girl and Mommy is really proud. I think it is your way of pleading for your therapists to stay in your life because you are using the skills you have worked so hard at achieving. I will stay in touch with all of them, don't worry. We still send our NICU nurses updates and photos.

Head Lifts

Sitting, with a little help.

I am waiting on some flowers to finish your birthday shirt and hat. I can't wait. I also need to make cupcakes for group. Another very busy week. I love you sweet Savannah Mae.

Love, Mommy

Mother's Day

Dear Savannah,

First and foremost, thank you for giving me the best job on the planet, motherhood. I have learned so much about life in the past three years. You, my love, are my tiniest teacher. My live for you continues to grow and grow and grow, just like you. Thank you Savannah, for being my daughter. You are truly wonderful.

We spent the weekend together as a family. Daddy had the weekend off, so I had a chance to catch up on some household organizing. It's not much fun, but I love when our house feels cleaned and organized. We invited Nana over for dinner last night and Daddy cooked his yummy Mac and cheese and grilled a pork tenderloin. We still watch in amazement as you eat and wonder where you put it. :)
After all, you were weighed in at a whopping 22.6 lbs this week. I assure them that you don't gain because you are constantly moving and it has nothing to do with the amount of food you consume daily.

Today, after your twenty minute nap, we took a walk through town. So many families and mommies were out with their strollers. The weather was perfect today. We stopped for a treat and found and sat in the grassy field by the wharf. Our perfect day ended with ice cream and again, I could barely get a bite. Maybe it's time that we buy you your own.

Sitting like a big girl

Snuggles on the wharf

Daddy, because we love him too.

Mother's Day is about celebrating your mom and I wish we could have spent the day with Mimi. She is an incredible role model to me. She is compassionate and understanding. She has been a very good Mimi to you, she spoils you. I couldn't help but think how she must miss her own mom, Grandmother Dian.  It also made me think of all the mommies who have lost their babies.  Baby Mason in particular. Makes my heart ache for all of them. Life is truly precious.

Thank you again Savannah for giving me the most important role in life. I adore you and I love you fiercely. You have opened my eyes to a world I never knew and I feel that I am a better person because of you. I will continue to grow and learn more along our journey. I love you to the moon and back.

Love,  Mommy

Cutest Little Bunny

Dear Savannah,

This past weekend was Easter. You had a visit from the Easter Bunny who brought you many fun things. We celebrated by going to church and a dinner with family. A few weeks ago, we had a little photo shoot of the cutest bunny ever. Here are a few of my favorites.

Our Easter Card Photo 2014

Easter 2013

I can't believe in one short month, you will be three. Days have gone by way to fast since you entered the world. I wish I could pause our life right now. We only have about three sessions left with each of your therapists and that makes me really sad. I know we will get through it, but I sure do love each and everyone for giving our family love and support over the last three years.

I have started to search for new gift ideas for your birthday. This is always very challenging for me. We have so many great toys for your development of vision and fine motor. I need to make a list for other parents. I feel as if you are starting to out grow some, but not all, of your infant toys and you need a bit more of a challenge. I love how much you are reaching and activating some of your toys now. You are becoming more and more accurate, peeking, and then finding your toys. I love watching your development. It is nothing I have ever know before you were born.

Speaking of development, we received our Upsee in the mail last Thursday. Savannah, you walked with me and it was amazing. I have watched the video countless times and I'm so happy that the Upsee enables you to be upright, taking steps, and learn a gait pattern. It's amazing! We also danced, different from me holding you while I was dancing. It felt amazing. You seemed to enjoy dancing too. We will master walking at some point. I think you will be the girl who walks before you crawl because your upper body is much weaker than your lower body. You make your own rules. I have learned this about you by now. I wait patiently cheering you on.

Yesterday, you had OT with Holly. She thinks you are doing wonderful. You did some nice reaching and Holly showed me a new way to encourage you to use your left hand more while standing. It is not as much fun for you because you are positioned at an angle so you can only reach your toys with your left hand. It's not going to be your favorite. You also demonstrated the strength in your legs as you went from sitting on the floor, to a standing position, a very impressive skill. You love standing. Just six months ago, you had very little interest.

Our life is changing a lot right now. A lot of uncertainty about schooling, but we will figure it out. One thing that will always remain the same, I will always be your mommy. I love you sweet Savannah Mae.

Love, Mommy

By the way, this picture was on wonderbaby.org for a shirt giveaway
from the stitchwench.com. Pretty impressive Savannah Mae!

My Little Boston Bean

Dear Savannah,

As I watched the Boston Marathon Day of Remebrance program, a lot went through my mind. You enjoyed the Boston's Children Chorus and then you crashed. I remember last year. I was working and we walked to get ice cream while the bombing was taking place. Thank goodness we don't go into the city on busy days. It actually would make me much more nervous. I can't imagine how the victims feel now in a crowded public event.

One speech that touched my heart was about community. Just the message of community and what if only every community would bond the way the world has supported Boston this past year, and New York after 911? What if? What if the world supported our differences as people? Would you have an easier road ahead.? Would your peers learn to accept your differences and love you like I do? We'll, I'm pretty sure there is not a person alive who loves you the way I do.

Speaking of community, we supported a local family just two days ago. Hundreds of people gathered in Salem to pray for a little baby named Mason who has cancer. We all wore orange. We tied a Mason Strong ballon to your stroller. It was amazing to see the support and this all came together within a few days. Just like Boston Strong, he is Mason Strong.

On the news program today, they talked a lot about the victims and their resilience, dedication, courage, and strength.. The victims have encouraged the world so much over the past year. Savannah, it reminded me so much of you. Sometimes, I wonder how you do it. I look at you with pure amazement. You work hard, you hardly complain, and you just keep pushing. Your feisty side pays off. You are mommy's little fighter. You really are an amazing gift. I am one lucky mommy. I love you my little Boston Bean.

Love, Mommy