A season of giving..

I wanted to mention a few people that I left out of my post on giving thanks.

I mentioned the mom's who gave up their lives in order to move to Philly and move in with us for months in order to help us out while our family was living 9 hours apart. I forgot to mention the dads. My dad and Andy's dad lived for weeks upon weeks without their wives and that is a huge sacrifice that we are eternally grateful for. It is not easy to be apart from your partner and they did not hesitate to help us when we needed it. While my mom was with me in Philadelphia my dad was in a bad car accident. He could barely get around but he insisted she stay there with me and Jake. They were apart for 8 weeks straight. Andy's dad's house flooded while his step-mom was at our home taking care of Aidan. Again he did not complain or tell her she needed to come right home.

Thank you dad and thank you Tommy for being there for our family. Your sacrifice did not go unnoticed and we love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives.

I want to mention also our good friends Wade and Natalie. If Natalie had not called the other parenatal center for a second opinion for me who knows where we would be. Not only that but they have reached out to us financially and emotionally over the past year. They have set up a fund raising jar at their business and have been there for our family despite what may be going on in their own life. Their own son had to go to Cincinnati Children's Hospital recently for a condition called EE. Yet they continued to ask about Jacob and what they could do to help. I ask that you also remember their son Alex in your prayers. Thank God his EE is not severe and he can keep food down but he will need to adjust to a new complex diet and continue to have tests in the future.

I also would like to talk about a special group of women that mean the world to me. Heart Moms... These women are the strongest group of women I know. Despite the own battles they are facing they will put their problems aside and be there for you in a heartbeat. It is a bond that will last forever. Stacey, Jennifer, Laura, Amy, Lisa and I were all pregnant at the same time. We met online and still talk daily now. I met Laura, Jenn and Stacey in person at CHOP. Sadly two of them lost their babies. Yet they continue to keep in touch and follow Jacob. They continue to support CHD awareness and fight for our babies. They are so amazing, so strong and such an inspiration. I could not have made it through this year without them. I consider them family... sisters by heart. I have also come to know many other amazing children and families. Sadly I have also seen many babies I have grown to love lose this battle. Yet their lives were not in vein because they continue to teach others about strength and about life.

Finally I would like to mention two gifts we have received the past few weeks. We received two gift cards recently. One was signed Mrs. C and the other was anonymous. Since I am unable to send a thank you note I want to thank you here. Our family is going through a very difficult time financially. The gifts you gave us mean the world to us. We are able to give our children an amazing Christmas and for that we thank you.

The most important thing is that we have each other. My family is all here with me safe and sound and that makes me the riches women around.

God Bless
Kathy Baker