God Bless Harrison

Ted sent me to DC for my birthday to visit my friend Molly who also just had a baby boy 6 weeks before Harrison was born. It was a wonderful visit. Despite some travel mishaps getting back to Cincinnati, it was awesome and Harrison officially earned his wings (not a peep after 8 hrs of travel??!!!). He slept, ate, rarely fussed...it was a good age to travel. I did everything I wanted to do on this short visit....we drank wine and ate cheese at little cafe in Molly's town square... went to a trendy dinner and ate gourmet food and sipped a glass of yummy white wine.....grabbed coffee at her local shop and sat outside and ate muffins...and unexpectedly, I ended up getting a massage which was a sweet surprise along with the offering to watch Harrison and Henry while I went to the spa. It was a really thoughtful gift.....my friend really made me feel special that day with other gestures such as balloons and pink champagne and of course, a birthday cake with candles. I am very lucky to have such amazing friends...I really haven't enjoyed a birthday since Mom and Dad died, they just seem so different, such a void and not as important or special but this was nice......I missed seeing Ted and Elle but I think it was a good thing for me to get away for a few days.....there has been so much on my mind lately and it was nice to be spoiled and enjoy new scenery while visiting a great friend.

And here we are in August already...this Summer, my maternity leave, has flown by...it seemed like forever until Harrison would be baptized and here we are approaching it this weekend. We feel so blessed...many of our family members are traveling here from several different areas to be here with us...the baptism has always been a really important and special day in my Family. Mom and Dad always threw big parties...and I am beyond thrilled to have everyone here in our home, our church, our neighborhood. It will be stressful.....we've been planning for months yet I am a neat freak and beyond detail orientated when it comes to parties so I drive myself insane the week of the event...I think of everything. I wish I wasn't like that at times because it can make you go crazy. I want to enjoy this party. I want to enjoy the ceremony and really take in the baptism of my Son in our new church with my Grandfather and family by our sides....I want to actually get a chance to eat and drink and sit down and talk to everyone....I want to overlook the mess for just a few minutes....I want to take pictures with our family and friends with Harrison dressed in our family gown....I pray for an enjoyable weekend with less pain and sadness that my parents won't be attending another special event. It kills me. It's always there. It won't go away. I will be wishing they were there as I look around at the church and see Dad's Sister, Mom's Father.......they would be SO proud. They were always the life of the party and I don't see my life or any of these events ever being the same without them. Sure, they will go on, we will continue to go on, but I know in my heart, I am forever changed...and I don't like it.

Blessed Mommy,

Melissa