Birthday Party

Magnolia's first piece of original art thanks to the fabulously talented and amazing Gwen Rose!

Magnolia is special, very special, extremely special.  I am continuously amazed by how special. She touches people. People she has never met. That should not be shocking to me as I am completely in love with and touched deeply by so many children that I have not had the opportunity to meet yet, but am close to via the internet.  I think that should be written in the medical information about WHS.  Warning: your child will impact people everywhere.  I can recite names, faces and milestones of so many kids with WHS that I have not had the awesome opportunity to meet...YET. 

I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude by the text messages, facebook messages, blog comments, emails, notes and cards that I receive inquiring about Magnolia on a regular basis.  My family and friends get stopped by their family and friends who ask about Magnolia. My dad gets stopped in the street by people who tell him about what they just read on the blog. My sister has regular visitors to her store who are always up to date with what's new with Magnolia because they also check the blog.

Magnolia is about to turn a year old.  That fact alone is shocking to me.  How has a year gone by so quickly?! Someone asked a couple months ago what we were going to do for her birthday party.  I honestly didn't have an answer.  We couldn't decide what to do.  When Toller turned 1 we had a small party with cake and ice cream.  10 people tops.  But somehow that didn't seem right for Magnolia. Those of you that know me know I am not a 'big' party type of person.  Our wedding had 34 guests and I often joke that was 32 too many. But as a friend pointed out that sentence says I am not a 'big' party person.  And as I have come to find out Magnolia is not mine, not Brian's and not even Toller's (but don't tell him that) she is just Magnolia. She is part of everyone's lives. She is special. She is amazing. So bring on the big party. October 8th! I wanted to put out this invitation to tell everyone that they are invited. I am not (for safety reasons) putting many details on the blog, however if you are interested in coming please email me for details.  We would love to have you. We would love to have you share in this special celebration.  However, we know everyone is busy and please know we totally understand if you can't make it.

Oh and I have one request. It's a huge request! Huge! Please, Please, Please, Please, Please NO GIFTS!! Magnolia has more clothes and toys than she could possibly ever use.  If you are the kind of person that feels they have to do something then donate to a charity in her name.  If you are looking for one, I happen to know of a great group in need of some funds. WHS (which is a deletion of the short arm of the 4th chromosome) is also referred to as 4p-.  Here is a link to donate to that support group which Magnolia is part of.

http://www.causes.com/causes/624974-help-the-4p-support-group-attend-the-2011-american-society-of-human-genetics-conference?recruiter_id=7445410

Big girl at the lake