Today is a milestone. No, not because I updated the blog. But because it is Layla's 3rd birthday! Three years ago today our world was turned upside down. We knew something was wrong with Layla but we had no idea to what extent. After she was born, Layla was transferred to Santa Rosa hospital in San Antonio where she was to undergo a vp shunt placement surgery the following day. However, after looking at MRI results, Dr. Mancuso, the pediatric neurosurgeon gave John news that would forever alter our lives. I had stayed at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio while John accompanied Layla to Santa Rosa. I wasn't expecting to see him later that day. He walked into the room with the saddest look on his face and was trying to put up a smile for me. I knew something was wrong. I thought she had died during transport to the hospital. I will never envy that moment. He had to tell me the most difficult thing in the world: that Layla was missing about 90% of her brain. The next days, weeks and months are a blur. Layla left the hospital on hospice care. I remember all I wanted to do was to go home and pretend to be a "normal" family, which was something I knew we'd never ever be again. We've been through many ups and downs with our Layla bird. She's had more surgeries and hospital stays than I can count. I tease her that it's her goal to tour every hospital in Central Texas. (I don't think we should let her know we're moving to Alabama.) Perhaps she feels that we should start a rating system or write some type of guide book with topics like how to navigate the cafeteria without getting run over by the employees and families who have been there way too often (which we have unfortunately become). Luckily we have never been at any hospital long enough to need to do laundry. But it's not good when you are checking in and you think the room number they give you is familiar and when you get to the room, you realize why: you've stayed there before. John says that at first he felt that Layla was sent to us for us to "fix". However, we now realize that it was quite the opposite. It is she that was sent here to fix us. She has definitely made me a better person and stronger than I ever thought I could be. I have become more patient, kind, and less judgemental. However, I have little tolerance for people who gawk at my daughter or any child/person like her or people who assume that her life is not worth living (per a medical ethics essay written by "scholar" Mr. Byrd). We were never told that Layla would die, but we were informed of the statistics: only 15%-20% of children with hydran make it past the first year, so today is quite a cause for celebration for our little bird. John and I often discuss how many wonderful people we've met because of Layla. We are so blessed, not only to have her but by the company with which she has allowed us to keep. Layla will never know anything but love. And we vow to make every day she is with us the best it can possibly be.

Layla and Daddy with her Disney princess cake

Layla, Daddy, Cameron, Maddison and Sean w/strangely placed hands (no idea what he's doing)

Layla giving "birds" (her happy face) while we sing happy birthday. Her hearing is perfect but obviously she is tone deaf. Maybe she was just trying to make us feel good.