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| We celebrated Gemmas 8th birthday today. The party always starts with the birthday dinner requested by whose birthday it is, followed by cake, presents and staying up late! I love that we have certain traditions for the holidays, even it is as simple as 'you get to stay up late'. The kids look forward to it. |
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| Our baby girl is so big now. She is so full of life. She is always full of smiles, and doing something goofy to make you laugh. However when she is mad so goes around the house stomping her feet to let you know that she IS MAD. We will take her either way. She is such a joy to have around. |
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| A Picture with Mom and Dad is a must each year. When I was pregnant with Gemma I was at church with the other 4 kids and Mark when I had a sharp pain that I knew immediately something was wrong. I went right home with Mark and sure enough we found things were not right. Mark gave me a blessing and we left to the ER. I had a ultrasound to reveal that I was miscarrying. This was to be my first miscarriage. I cried, and cried more, and thought for the first time if I would ever be able to get to know this little baby inside me, whether it be in this life or the next, and when and how and every other question I could think of. I was asked to return to the hospital on Monday (the next day) to have another ultrasound. My Dr wasn't there so I had to see another one. Of course I was still quite emotional over it and I'm not quite sure why he did, but he got the doppler and started to listen for a heartbeat. I thought, 'really? You are really going to remind me that the baby has died?!!' Then I heard it! This baby's heartbeat was one of the best sounds I had ever heard! I started to cry! Why? Because I was happy that this little baby was holding on. The Dr was sure to tell me, not to get my hopes up because things could still go wrong. I was to go home and lay in bed for a week and go back for another ultrasound the following Monday. That, people, was THE longest week of my life. Laying there praying that things would be ok. Wondering if I was just waiting for my baby to die. Having faith that the Dr knew what he was talking about. Monday came, finally, and to the Dr's and my surprise the baby was alive and well. We found there was a separation in the amnion and the chorion (layers of the placenta) and it had just needed time to heal. I was so grateful for a husband who's first thought was to use the priesthood and bless me and comfort me. What a wonderful teaching moment it was for me. He would do this again one month later as he returned from his High Counselor meeting as I was hanging up the phone with my ENT Dr. who had called to tell me that I had Thyroid cancer and we needed to have surgery as soon as we could. It didnt just scare me for my life, but for my little baby inside me and how the surgery, cancer and treatment would affect this little life. But we did it! Surgery was on November 26 2003 and Gemma Paige was born on April 22 2004. Treatment was done 3 months later. We went through alot together before she was even born, which I now we have always had a special bond. Its ok if I say that I am her favorite, because there are 7 others who prefer Mark ;) She is definitely a miracle! |
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| Happy Birthday to our sweet little Gemma! |
