Happy 3rd Birthday

Dear Ian and Bonner,
Today, you will celebrate 3 fantastic years here on this earth.  It has been a true blessing to watch you grow over these past 36 months.  I remember your "birth-day eve" so well.  I was so scared of all that awaited you, Ian, but I knew that your sister would be right there to keep you safe.

Ian, you have overcome so much in such a short time and are such a terrific little boy.  You have a huge personality; you love to laugh and make others laugh; you know exactly where you leave things (that is until I ask you where something might be); you love Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye from Toy Story; you absolutely LOVE music - playing, singing, or just listening to it; and, you have a super kind heart.  You are very concerned with how your sister is doing at all times; in fact, I have peaked my head into your classroom and while you are definitely doing your own thing, it seems that you always have a 6th sense about where Bonner is and if she's okay.  You are not only Bonner's Prince Charming, but mine, too!

Bonner, you have "rolled with the punches" since day 1.  On several occasions, complete strangers would hold you in the PCICU waiting room so your daddy and I could sit with Ian and talk to the nurses for just a few minutes together ... you were always so good for each caring and supportive person offering to watch you!  And, I'll never forget the night that Ian had his spell and was rushed from 7C back to the PCICU in the blink of an eye.  We walked out of that hospital not knowing whether he would make it through the night; but, you gave us such hope and provided a sense of peace during such a horrific time.  I am pretty sure that was your first night out to dinner and we ended up at Wild Wings because it was the only restaurant still serving dinner that late.  I remember hearing the band (yes, there was a very loud band playing but you slept right through it) singing "Brown-Eyed Girl" as I just stared at you "snug-a-bug" in your carseat and prayed for your brother.  Today, Bonner, you are a truly special girl.  You have a tremendous personality as well; you absolutely LOVE everything related to Princesses; you know every Disney Princess - past and present; you do not go anywhere without your Abby Cadabby doll; you have to get "snuggy buggy" before there's any hope of you falling asleep; and, you have an imaginary friend named "Sashi" (pronounced Sah-zshi).

Ian and Bonner, the two of you are so special to everyone that knows you.  You could not be any different from your hair color to your skin tone to your willingness to introduce yourselves to strangers.  But, at the same time, you love to play together - Bonner's always the mommy; sometimes Ian is the daddy or the baby; and, always, there are some princesses involved.  I relish in your love for one another.  I hope that you will stay as close to one another for years to come as you are right now!

You have been so blessed to experience all that you have before you have even turned 3 years old.  You have been to the beach lots of times; you've been on Grandbuddy's boat at the lake; you've been to the zoo, the playground, the Georgia aquarium; you've flown on an airplane; you've been to a Red Sox game; you've been to a water park; you've been to several Greenville Drive baseball games; you've eaten at alot of restaurants and know lots of waiters/waitresses (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Sushi, American, Italian, and Mexican, to name a few); but, most importantly, you've been prayed for and loved by so many people!

I look forward to a wonderful birthday celebration tomorrow!  You are both what make my eyes sparkle and I know that God looks down on you with tremendous amazement in the 2 special people He created.  I hope you always know how much your family loves you; but, most importantly, I hope you always know it's God who has brought you this far and will continue to keep watch over you in the years to come!

I love you so very much!
Love,
Your Favorite Mommy!