Chasing Rainbows: Five Years..Eight Months...Two Weeks...

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Five Years..Eight Months...Two Weeks...

This is definitely an interesting time in our family. In two days, Brian will turn five. And today we are honoring the eight month anniversary of Gavin's death...while simultaneously celebrating Hope's two week birthday.

I don't even know what to say tonight. So I'll share my favorite photos of my favorite girl from her two week photo shoot. It's a lot of photos because it was impossible to choose!!

With her "heartbeat bear" - Bella Bunny. A recording of her actual heartbeat is inside!

The other day, I said to a friend, "I can't believe this is our life."

"Which part?" he asked.

"All of it..." I answered.

We could never have predicted any of this. To lose Gavin so suddenly and then to discover we were carrying Hope so unexpectedly. SO unexpectedly. We could never have predicted the outpouring from people all over the world - people that have been inspired by our little boy who never spoke, but said so much. We could never have predicted how we would get through it all - individually and as a family.

But one thing I definitely predicted? That we would live our lives and grieve our child in a way that would HONOR his life. No other way felt right. And so we do. We live each day...with Hope.

15 comments:

whippetmamaDecember 14, 2013 at 9:40 PM
Just beautiful. I absolutely agree with the wonder that is life, any life. Up and down and round and round it goes and we need to appreciate it all, good, bad and ugly as it is fleeting. I love your posts and the pics of Hope and video of her newborn sweetness are just precious. Bless you all.
Christie from Alberta
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The JohnsonsDecember 14, 2013 at 9:56 PM
Oh my gosh... the yawning... the falling over asleep... hilarious! Gosh, she seems like a mini-Brian in that video. :) Precious, precious times in your life right now. Thoughts and prayers as you're still missing Gavin too.
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UnknownDecember 14, 2013 at 9:57 PM
What a beautiful little girl and what a beautiful family :)
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MeredithDecember 14, 2013 at 10:40 PM
I love your family like you are my own. How I wish I could meet you one day!
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LindaDecember 14, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Hope is definitely the most beautiful baby I've ever seen!
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AnneDecember 15, 2013 at 8:40 AM
Kate, Hope is just beautiful. These are wonderful pictures. It is no wonder you couldn't chose just one of them. I wanted to take a moment to wish you luck and strength as you try to increase Hope's feed schedule. My first baby wanted to eat every 90 minutes. It was exhausting. She thrived, but it pushed my body to the limit. From one mom to another, I just wanted to acknowledge just how difficult what are need to do is and I wish you all the best.

There is a quote that I just love. I don't know who to attribute it to, but is says..."Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain". Your family exemplifies this. Keep dancing Kate.
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KellybelDecember 15, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Such a precious, little bundle of joy........I miss Gavin too and think of him daily! (sigh)
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UnknownDecember 15, 2013 at 9:27 AM
She is absolutely stunning!!! I know you are proud, proud mommy :-)
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AnonymousDecember 15, 2013 at 1:48 PM
I love all the photos! My fave is the close up of Hope sleeping against the bunny. You honor your sweet boy by finding the joy in every day, as he did. Your family is beautiful. Kerry
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UnknownDecember 15, 2013 at 1:59 PM
She is precious!!!
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AnonymousDecember 15, 2013 at 5:35 PM
Beautiful, beautiful Hope! Hugs to you and your precious family as you celebrate Brian's Birthday and Hope's joyful arrival into your lives, and also as you continue honoring dear, sweet Gavin always & forever. Do not worry, we will never forget him and will also honor his life as we continue this journey with you, through your postings and your photos.
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TabithaDecember 15, 2013 at 6:40 PM
Your daughter is so precious. That picture, with her sleeping on the bunny and her smiling... priceless. Your family is an inspiration, Kate. Through all of the heartache your family has endured, just to be rewarded with such a blessing. Amazing.
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Phoenix CoachingDecember 15, 2013 at 6:41 PM
They are just precious photos, she is the image of Brian in them. Best of luck with the increasing of the feeds I know what you are going through.hth
Today I bought butterflies and have put them on my Christmas Tree to honour your darling little angel boy. Everytime I see them I think of him and offer a prayer for all he continues to do now, he may not have spoken a word but he does so much for people all over the world, nobody will ever know the extent of how far he has spread goodness.
Merry Christmas from Ireland
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cynthiasolcDecember 16, 2013 at 1:01 PM
Praise God for His beautiful gift of Hope! Thank-you for sharing that hope with us.

God Bless!
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Debby@Just BreatheDecember 18, 2013 at 11:45 AM
(((((HUGS))))) She is so precious and my heart is yours. What an emotional journey for all of you.
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Hi! I'm Kate. I'm a positive thinker, an amateur blogger, a jokester, and a reality TV junkie. I'm also very lucky to be a stay at home Mom to Gavin and Brian. I have a husband that has a big laugh, a big heart and a big talent for cooking. (Thank God) Our life is not always easy, but it turns out it's more than I ever dreamed it would be. I write about Gavin's disability, his miraculous progress, Brian's successful recovery from a peanut allergy and a speech delay, my Rheumatoid Arthritis and infertility journey and our crazy, incredible, roller coaster of a life. I also remember and honor our daughter, Darcy, who we met after 5 1/2 months of my pregnancy.

I feel honored that you're here to get to know us.

Want to know more? Click on each link under the pictures at the top of the page to read our stories...

Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!