August 30, 2011

Today was heaven sent. It was amazing. We got off to a later start than anticipated but when we arrived here, it was just as described and better than the pictures.

As we entered the building, before we even made it to our room, we were greeted by an enormous bouquet of beautiful pink roses from Ruthie Lous grammie and grandpa! The co-founder came to our room and greeted us and gave us such a warm welcome, we sat and chatted for over an hour, it is clear she is following her life's purpose by providing such a safe, warm, and welcoming place for families to retreat with their children. And just as she was about to leave, Ruthie Lou's neurologist came by to see us! The fact that she came here, is just indicative of the numerous wonderful people that Ruthie Lou has had the pleasure to be with these last few weeks.

It took a little while to settle in, and we were so very tired, it felt great to sit on the couch and just be. Dad held Ruthie Lou and took a little nap, I pumped (once again) but in the comfort of our living room and with both of them right next to me on the couch. As I got sleepy and dad woke up, I scooped up Ruthie Lou and had my own little snuggle with her on the bed, something I have wanted to do...forever. We ate dinner outside and Ruthie Lou got to smell the fresh air for the very first time! We really wanted to take a walk with her but as the night chill began to come in we thought we'd better bathe her and bundle her up before that could happen, so in we came for Ruthie Lou's first bath. I set everything up and Chris took off her diaper and handed her to me, as he turned to grab the video camera, since of course it needed to be documented, she pooped all down my arm and all over the floor, it just kept coming!!! I was laughing so incredibly hard and Chris was just worried about catching it on film, all we could do was stand there!! Ruthie Lou has a great sense of humor and has been really good at giving us all those new parent initiations and yesterday we had a similar experience and as she was pooping, even shot me some smiles. Who doesn't smile when they've just pooped?!

After she was warmed up and bundled, we went out to sit in the sunset and it was beautiful. We rocked in the rocking chair and allowed our minds to sit still for a bit. What a blessing and a beautiful night. The rest of the night was just as sweet, Ruthie and I napped on the couch and dad watched a movie, I think. We were too busy sleeping. When it came time to put Ruthie Lou to bed in our room, she of course decided that was the perfect time to wake up, she didn't want to miss the party, as her grandpa used to tell me when I was a kid. So we settled in bed, read her "On the day you were born" (a gift from our friends the Sullivans) and she peacefully fell back to sleep where she's resting now.

As for me, maybe a nap around 8pm wasn't the best idea, but it sure felt good! I keep reminding myself to be in the moment, not worry about tomorrow and not to have expectations, but be so grateful for right now. I am grateful for a beautiful day. I am grateful for my beautiful family, a daughter so perfect and a husband with the largest heart of any man I have met. It's amazing that you can be with someone for ten years and still continue to learn things that make you love them more and more each day. Ruthie Lou gave us that gift, as well.

And so, in this moment, all is peaceful, all is good.
​We were blessed to have this day.