Welcome to our family blog!

This blog was started in October 2010 shortly before our daughter, Abigail Grace, was born. She was diagnosed at our 18 week ultrasound with Holoprosencephaly (HPE), and we were preparing for a child with very complex medical needs and a shortened life expectancy. Abby was born on November 12th and sadly passed away just four days later. This blog follows me, Matt and Abby’s big brother, Connor, along our journey from preparing for Abby’s birth through our adjustment to life without her.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

A little bit of Easter

Since I've been a great big slacker when it comes to updating with holidays pics, etc, I've decided to start making up for it now :)

Connor looked super dapper in his Easter outfit.  Unfortunately, all he really wanted to wear was his new soccer uniform.  This outfit (which included a vest which didn't make it into any pictures) only lasted for about 45 minutes after church, 30 of which were spent at the cemetery and in the car.








We visited Abby before dinner.  I'll be so happy when her headstone is installed and these flowers don't all fall over with the slightest gust wind








                                                                                                                                                                                        






We waited for the birds to attack...thankfully, it's a bit early for much action










He was actually trying to get away from me in these pictures, but I told him there would be no egg hunt if he didn't smile for me.  He must really love eggs :)  I thank God every night for that smile.  


My mother has made a Bunny Cake every Easter since I can remember.  The young baking apprentice talked all week about making a bunny carrot cake; I'm pleased to say it lived up to the hype!


Just shameless- Connor's fingers went right into the frosting without a second thought.  Note the soccer uniform.


Our family, minus one.  It's a nice picture, but it's bittersweet to look at the three of us and call it our family picture.  It feels like she's so obviously missing.  



Just a few days before Easter our plum tree blossomed.  We planted this tree when I was pregnant with Abby, before we knew she was a girl, before we knew our time with her would be short.  

I do not have a green thumb, by any stretch of the imagination; in fact the only plant I've ever been able to keep alive for an extended period of time is a peace lily, and that's because you have to intentionally kill a peace lily with chemicals or by starving it.  I could probably keep a cactus alive. I used to joke that "I can't keep plants alive, but I can keep my child alive", though that joke no longer seems appropriate.  

I'm really hoping I can avoid killing this tree; in fact I'd like to plant a garden for her if I can get the motivation to plan one.  Perhaps Abby can send me some "special help".