Fun at Marineland

Alex, Aidan, and I are here in Niagara Falls, Canada, enjoying a wonderful view of the falls from our room at the Brock Plaza Hotel. We spent the day at Marineland, which was a ton of fun. Aidan especially enjoyed watching the killer whales, feeding the bears, and petting the (very friendly) deer.

We check out of this hotel tomorrow and head on our way to Toronto to spend the weekend enjoying the Toronto Air Show as well as some other area attractions.

Our evening is ending on a spectacular note - fireworks over the falls!

Cooling off in the backyard...

My silly little ham...

Fun at the New York State Fair

Aidan, Alex, and I enjoyed a day at the New York State Fair today. We were joined by Grandma and Grandpa Ramos.

I think Aidan's favorite part of the day (besides the Turkey Leg he gobbled right down) was getting to pet (and feed) the animals. He met a giraffe, zebra, horses, goats, llamas, monkey, and sheep. He is fascinated by animals and it's so much fun to watch him.

He also really enjoyed the carnival games, winning himself quite the array of stuffed animals and plastic pool toys!

Having fun with Mommy on the carousel

Showing off his new tattoo

Michael's Third Birthday

Three years ago today, Alex and I had the privelege of holding an angel. Our angel. An angel whose heart was so pure that God decided his place was in Heaven, among the other angels.

Sometimes it feels like it's been twenty years since Michael was born. So much has happened in the past three years... The struggles with infertility, the joy of overcoming it, and then the worry throughout my whole pregnancy with Aidan and now with the girls. We are so blessed to have two beautiful baby boys and two precious girls on the way. One of our sons will remain a baby in my heart forever while the other is growing like wildfire before my very eyes.

Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday that Michael was born. I can close my eyes and see his beautiful face, the small patches of light blonde hair, his skinny little arms and legs. I remember the smells in the delivery room, the sounds, the sadness. The grief. The mourning. I remember it all like it just happened the other day. I don't think I'll ever forget that day. The rush of emotions when you're told that your baby's heart has stopped beating. It was (and at times, still is) overwhelming.

This morning I was brought back to that day. August 27th, 2004. The day that my beautiful angel was born. But, today, instead of the overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief, I felt feelings of joy. Joy because Michael sent Aidan to us. Joy because I know that Michael can feel no pain. Joy because I know he has three Great-Grandpa's and two Great-Grandma's who most likely spoil him rotten in Heaven's playground.

We celebrated Michael's short time on earth this afternoon. Alex, Aidan, and I released three dozen balloons at the cemetery. I hope Michael enjoys them and shares them with his friends.

Michael, I love you more than words can say. I miss you so much. Love Always, Mommy

Thank you, Michael!

Rainbows have special meaning to our family. On October 15th, 2004, less than two months after Michael died, we saw the most breathtaking rainbow right above our house. We like to think it was a message from Michael. It was his way of telling us that he's okay and he's watching over us. You can read the journal entry on his website under October 15th, 2004.

This evening, after having dinner at Great Aunt Carol's house, Alex dropped Aidan and I off at home before heading out to run some errands. Ironically, one of the errands was a "special" errand for Michael (which I had no idea about until Alex told me when he got home). Alex said after he ran the errand for Michael, as soon as he went outside of the store, he saw a beautiful rainbow. He raced home to take pictures (to show me as I was putting Aidan to bed, oblivious of Michael's message).

We feel so blessed that our precious baby boy is able to communicate with us in such a beautiful way. We love you, Michael.

Fun at the Strong Museum

"COME HERE Mr. Quack Quack!" says Aidan