Four Months!...

Tomorrow is the big day!!  The silent auction officially opens for bidding at 8am, EST!  Get your trigger finger ready, friends! 

It will work similar to eBay.  You can type in your maximum bid and it will auto-bid for you up to that amount.  You will only be notified by text (or email if you registered your desktop or laptop) if your max bid was out-bid - or if you WIN!  So high tech, eh?

Please remember - anyone around the world can participate in this silent auction, but you need to register (which is free!). You can do that HERE.

If you live in the Philadelphia area and would like to attend the fundraiser on April 5th, which is the day the silent auction will end, you MUST purchase tickets in advance.  You have FIVE days to purchase your ticket HERE.  All tickets will remain $25.00 per person.  You can find all the details about the event I'm calling "Gavin's Playground Project" HERE, including directions, time, what to expect, etc.  The event is adults only.

Feel free to share the silent auction page on your social media sites!  The more eyes on this auction, the more wallets that might open and the closer we'll get to building a playground!

Tomorrow is the big day - 8am EST!  Set your alarms, people!!

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But today?
Today is all about our little Miss Hope.

She is FOUR MONTHS old today.

She's beginning to really laugh and coo, which melts our hearts.

She's getting so big! She has rolls on her thighs and arms and is such a solid bundle when you pick her up.  I was so surprised when she weighed in at only 12 pounds at the doctor's last week!  I would have guessed 15, easy.

I do think she's about to have another growth spurt, though.  Last week I was complaining that she barely slept during the day - and would sleep all night.  This week she's been taking little naps during the day - and is back to waking up once during the night!  

I read that this sometimes happens at this age - and to just go with it so my milk production will keep up with her changing needs.  They wrote that, developmentally, babies at this age have so much going on during the day - distractions and exciting things to look at and a brother incessantly talking that makes them crane their necks to look and new milestones they are thinking about and so anxious to try- it's hard!!  And exciting!!

But at night, it's dark and quiet and she has my undivided attention and I have hers.  She fills her belly and goes right back to sleep.

And I have my moment to stare at her beautiful face and thank God for this incredible gift.  I love that time - just the two of us.  And I know, like everything else, it's just a passing phase.  She'll get herself adjusted and we'll be just fine. 

Hope often has her fingers (or, if she can get it in there - her whole hand!) in her mouth.  I have a hard time believing she's teething already - but it's possible, I guess!!  She's beginning to drool a little, too!

(As a side note - if you are coming to the event and see Hope, please try not to touch her hands!  I know it's a natural inclination to grab a baby's hands, but with so many different people - and knowing that she'll stick those hands right in her mouth - I'm nervous about her getting sick.) 

Happy Four Months, Hope Margaret!!

Enjoy the rest of today's photos!  I was grateful to have an assistant today.  Thanks, Daddy, for helping pull out the smiles!

We love you, beautiful girl!

Half Birthday in Heaven...

Dear Gavin,

Happy "Half Birthday," Bugaboo!

Today, you would have turned 6 1/2...halfway to seven.  We celebrate half birthdays in our family - we always have since you were six months old.  Not acknowledging today would be like not acknowledging you.  Just like we celebrate every second of every day that we had with you...we will continue to celebrate you and incorporate you into all of our family traditions.

It was easy to decide what to do.  Daddy, Brian, Hope  and me... we all decided to have a sleep over in a hotel that had a POOL!!  Not just any hotel, mind you.  We went back to the first hotel that you and Brian ever stayed in. You had so much fun in the water swimming with Daddy.

And Brian kept a safe distance - with no interest and a healthy fear of the pool.

A lot has changed since then.  Besides your obvious absence. 

Brian is a complete fish!  He was so excited in the room once he got his bathing suit on.

And we even got Hope a little teeny tiny baby bathing suit! We were very anxious to see how she would like the water.

She loved it.  So much.

As I held her and swayed back and forth in the water, I truly felt your presence.  In a way, I felt like I was holding you once again.  The water can make your body feel weightless. As it turns out, it did the same to my grief.  Being in the water made me feel so close to you. 

Brian loves the pool as much as you did - and he's getting so brave.  

He was even jumping in to us, getting his face wet and even holding his breath to go under water!  We were so proud - and it made all of us so happy to see him so happy.

I know you were watching.  Maybe you were even swimming with us!  We had a lot of laughs and I smiled thinking of how much fun you would have had if you were with us.

Last year on this day we went to Arnold's Family Fun Center... one of your favorite places. 

 

Daddy took the day off and we spent the whole afternoon as a family.

We rode your favorite ride - the Frog Hopper...

...and, for the first time, I carried you up inflatable stairs so we could go down the big slide together.  I'm so glad I did that - it is now a cherished memory.

We weren't doing anything extraordinary... or unusual.  This is just us.  We love to celebrate you and your brother and now your baby sister.  We really had a great time on this day last year.  And I'm forever grateful that we did.

We never - in a million years, EVER - could have known that you would be dead just 16 days later.

Never.

Gavin, I vow to you that we will always celebrate.  Not just your birthdays and half birthdays and what was and what you've inspired since.  That's easy.

I promise you - forever - that we will celebrate Brian and Hope.  Every birthday.  Every half.  Every day.  I know it would be important to you - I know it IS important to you - that we parent your brother and sister well.  And we will.  Not because you died.  But because you lived.

Happy Half Birthday, Gavin.  I love you.  I miss you.  I celebrate the uniqueness of you... and will forever.

Love, 

Mommy.

The Last Auction Previews...

Here is the last round of Silent Auction Previews before it all opens on Monday for bidding!!  Some of these are whoppers and may totally surprise you.  

If you're wondering how you can help me - please share about Gavin's Playground Project anywhere and everywhere you can!

HERE is a link with all the event information.

HERE is a link to purchase tickets to the April 5th event.  You MUST have a ticket to get in!  Please register for the silent auction if you are attending the event.  Even if you have no intention of bidding on any of the items, there will still be ways you can participate if you are registered and it will save you time that night.

HERE is a link to register for the silent auction by pre-authorizing a credit card.  You will then be able to view all of the items, watch the bidding all week, and bid on your favorites!  Remember - registering and looking are both 100% free!

HERE is a link to make a tax deductible donation directly to the hospital.  Be sure to select "abilities playground" under donor designation.  And remember, you can write in any amount you want - every dollar counts!

Here is what you can tweet all of your favorite celebrities (if you can come up with something better, feel free!):  
Join free online silent auction & help build ability playground! PLS RT! Info &register: http://bit.ly/1hDjekJ


If you don't have a smart phone or an iPad - do not despair.
Here are instructions on how to view and bid on all of the silent auction items from your desktop or laptop:
Go to the GiveSmart registration page HERE.
Enter your information and use your home phone number.
Register your credit card.
You will get an email with a link that will take you to the auction page.

Enjoy the final previews!!  (I'll be previewing all of the fun raffle baskets next week!)

Alaskan Cruise

Cruise past fishing towns and majestic fjords aboard Royal Caribbean International to Alaska for seven nights in a veranda stateroom for two.

All Star Disney Vacation  

Make your family's Disney dreams come true in Orlando, Florida for seven days and six nights at the Disney's All-Star Movies Resort in a quad-room with economy class air for four, including five day park-hopper passes to Disney World.

America's Cup Yacht Experience

Learn the ropes and cast away in San Diego, California for five days and four nights at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina with economy class air for two, including a hands-on experience aboard an America's Cup Yacht.

Dublin, Ireland

Tours and tastings, cuisine and castles are yours to discover in Dublin, Ireland for seven days and six nights at the Brooks Hotel with economy class air for two, including a 2-day Dublin pass, Dublin sightseeing tour, premium Whiskey tasting, Merry Ploughboy dinner and show, and your choice of one of the following tours:  The Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle, The Buren and Galaway, The Tour to Giants' Causeway Glens of Antrim and Wild, or the Ring of Kerry Tour.

Sandals Grande Riviera

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Enjoy three nights and four days at the luxurious, secluded and all inclusive Sandals Grande Riviera.  (Land only)

Exclusive D.C. Experience

A Capital adventure awaits you in Washington, DC for four days and three nights at your choice of the Grand Hyatt Washington or the Hyatt Regency Washington in one guestroom for four, including a Gray Line Washington DC in a Day sightseeing tour.  (Land Only)

Las Vegas Experience

Entertainment inspiration will mesmerize you in Las Vegas for four days and three nights at Caesars Palace with economy class air for two, including tickets to your choice of Zumanity, Zarkana, La Reve, Mystere, KA, O (Ed and I think you should choose O - which we've seen about 5 times!), Love or the Blue Man Group.

Maui, Hawaii

Soak up the beauty of Maui, Hawaii for seven days and six nights at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui, an all suite hotel for two, including a $1,000 Fairmont gift card (Land only)

The Most Magical Place on Earth

A theme park adventure for the family in Orlando, Florida for five days and four nights at the Residence Inn Orlando Lake Buena Vista in a suite for four, including a Three Day My Way tickets to Disney World and passes to Universal Studios.  (Land only)

This is Your Balinese Paradise!

Soak up the tranquility of Amed, Bali for eight days and seven nights at hte Villa Pantai for up to eight people, including scuba diving lessons, Balinese massages and your choice of a tour of Tirta Gangga Water Palace or the Lempuyang Temple.  (Land only)

Treasures of Italy

Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan

History and culture abound in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan for eight days and seven nights for two, including first class train travel between cities.  (Land only)

What's on YOUR Bucket List?...

I have accomplished the most important item on my "bucket list:"

I became a Mommy.

To Gavin...

...and then Brian and Darcy and Hope.

The last few days, Brian and Hope have been sick.  Brian has pink eye!!!  And Hope did end up having a cold.  

Brian has been home from school for the last two days.  His eyes definitely cleared up this afternoon!  Thank God.  

School tomorrow - Yay!!

It is crunch time as I get closer to the fundraiser and I have so much to do - deadlines to hit - phone calls and shrink wrapping and spread-sheeting and more.  It has been very challenging trying to manage this last week with these two little ones.  Yesterday turned into Mommy and Brian making necklaces and playing Star Wars and me begging him to watch a movie.  And Hope?  Hope is a conundrum.  She is a peculiar little baby who doesn't sleep during the day!  She takes little cat naps - but won't sleep a long stretch.  And putting her in the Ergo is not an option for a bunch or reasons... but the biggest one this week is that the excel spreadsheet I need - which is taking up the most of my time - is down low.  She doesn't enjoy when I sit.  And my old body won't let me squat and type with a baby hanging from my chest. 

 Problems.

But, boy... is she cute.  

And apparently she's an overachiever!  She's already attempting to scoot!!  She can move herself forward a little!!  And, she's desperately trying to roll over from her back to her belly.  Can you slow it down a little, Miss?

So I do my best to balance playtime and "work time" and hope that I'll get it all done.  These two beautiful people are my main job, anyway.  The rest is important - but not as important as them.  But still - I'm nervous.  And I'm hoping and praying that all of you that attend the event in person - or just virtually through the silent auction - will remember two things.

1.  I've never done this before.  This planning a giant fundraiser all alone with a five year old and almost 4 month old.  Please have mercy on me if something doesn't go right.  And if the event doesn't live up to your expectations - please don't tell me?  I'm pretty sure it would break my heart.

and...

2.  This is all to honor Gavin's life.  And to show his brother and sister, who will grow up without him, that you can do anything you set your mind to - including create beauty after a personal tragedy.  I always want them to remember that they have Gallagher and Leong blood in their veins... NOTHING can bring them down.  

  If you haven't yet bought your ticket to "Gavin's Playground Project" - or registered for the silent auction - you can do that HERE.  If you prefer to donate directly to the hospital, click THIS link and select "abilities playground" in the donor designation.  74 people have done just that - and so far we have raised $8,740!  Thank you so much for making this dream get closer and closer to becoming a reality!

Now, on to tonight's preview of the "Experiences" in my silent auction.

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I bet every one of you (including me!) has a bucket list.  Here are some of the things on MY bucket list: Meet Ellen DeGeneres... wear my wedding gown again to renew my vows... go back to Hawaii for a second honeymoon... meet Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen - perhaps at the same time.  Oh... and to pay for a fully funded all abilities playground after holding ONE fundraiser.

At least once in our lives we should have an "experience."  A "once in a lifetime" moment or thrill or trip that we will talk about for the rest of our lives.  Maybe you have a milestone birthday coming up... or you're looking for a great gift for a wedding or anniversary or 'just because?'  If so - I have several incredible experiences for you to choose from in the silent auction that begins March 31st.  All of these auction items have one thing in common:  you get an experience of a lifetime and lots of money goes to build a playground.  I call that a win-win situation.  Creating win-win situations is also on my bucket list.  What a coincidence!  

Enjoy this preview of more silent auction items!  And remember, you MUST purchase tickets HERE if you are coming to the fundraiser.  You MUST register for the silent auction (if you're coming or not!) to participate and you can do that HERE!  The silent auction will open March 31st - five days before the fundraiser!

All-Access Ultimate NASCAR Fan Experience

Charlotte, North Carolina

Race on over to Charlotte, North Carolina for four days and three nights at the Hyatt House, Charlotte Center City for two, including Richard Petty Driving Experience and entrance to the NASCAR hall of fame.  (Land Only)

Celebrate the Best in Sports at the 2014 ESPYs!

Los Angeles, California

It's an all-star athlete lineup when you attend the 2014 ESPY Awards show in Los Angeles, California for three days and two nights in deluxe hotel accommodations for two.  (July 2014 - Land Only)

Go For the Grammy Gold!

Los Angeles, California

Rock out at Music's Biggest Night at the 2015 Grammy Award Ceremony Los Angeles, California for three days and two nights at the JW Marriott LA Live for two, including the Grammys Official After-Party.  (January 2015 - Land Only)

Go to Any Game in 50 Markets!

Contiguous U.S.

It's sports mania at any game in 50 markets, out of 122 teams when you take your choice of an exciting NFL, NHL, NBA or MLB regular season game with premium tickets for three days and two nights with economy class air for two.

Go to the Primetime Emmys!

Los Angeles, California

You'll experience Hollywood Fame first-hand at the 2014 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California for three days and two nights in deluxe hotel accommodations with economy class air for two.  (September 2014)

Golf Where the Pros Golf

Orlando, Florida

Choose between world-class golf or a rejuvenating spa treatment daily in Orlando, Florida for four days and three nights at the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Club and Lodge with economy class air for two, including daily golf or spa services.

It's Just You and the Speedway!

Arizona, Illinois, New Hampshire or North Carolina

Mario Andretti racing experience for two to your choice of Arizona, Illinois, New Hampshire or North Carolina for three days and two nights in a Fairmont, Marriott, Hyatt or similar property.  (Land Only)

Las Vegas Has High Stakes and High Speeds!

Las Vegas, Nevada

On your mark, get set, go to Las Vegas, Nevada for four days and three nights at the Luxor for two, including an exotic car racing experience and an evening helicopter ride over the strip.  (Land Only)

Rock On at the American Music Awards!

Los Angeles, California

Join music's most influential and iconic artists at the American Music Awards show in Los Angeles, California for three days and two nights at the JW Marriott LA Live for two, including tickets with Loge Level seating.  (November 2014 - Land Only)

Top Gun!

Contiguous U.S.

It's the ultimate Top Gun experience for one person as a fighter pilot for a day in a military aircraft!