dear gage

Dear Gagemeister,

You are such a cool little dude. I love the way you smile just because we make eye contact. I love when you giggle at something that isn't really that funny. I love when you open your mouth as BIG as you can because you're happy. But you know what I love the most? When you turn up one corner of your mouth into a sly little smile. Every time you do that I figure you must be thinking of some really sneaky thing you are thinking of doing. You goober. You're mother dearest tells me that when I was a baby I used to grab at people's faces just like you do. I like to think that you take after me in that way. And also because you are so cute. 

"One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to DisneyLand, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said, "DisneyLand burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real DisneyLand, but it was getting pretty late."

Jack Handey wrote that quote, and even though I think its funny, I just want to assure you that I would never do that to you. Because you are too sweet to play a joke on like that. I don't like to see you cry. When you cry it makes me sad, and I just wish I could do something that would make you happy again. I don't think you realized how much I am wrapped around your little finger. Sometimes I can stop you, but lots of times you just want your mommy. She loves you so much. I hope you always remember how much your mommy and daddy love you. Especially when you grow up, become a teenager, and start getting an attitude. Because let's be real, if you take after mom you might have a bit of a rebellious stage.

Now just one more word of advice for when you are older with your own little ones to watch after.

"The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face."

-Jack Handey (again)

Love you little Gage-y poo,

Aunt Amanda or Auntie Mana as you know me.

dear gage

Wow!  Gage you look so great!  It was wonderful to knock on your door at home and have your dad and mom answer it with you in your mom's arms just smiling away like nothing had ever been different.  Grandpa and I are grateful that all our prayers have been answered.  You must never forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you.  He will always be there for you and your family.  When things look really bad, you can always pray and find the peace and the strength you need to make it through.  I know this to be true because it has always been true for me.  I know you are going to love this blog where everyone has been able to express their love for you during this ordeal.  Thanks to Auntie Em for settngn it all up.  Also, I will cherish the words of love from all our family and friends to you and your mom and dad.  It has helped to make all our hearts stronger.

Love you so much,
Grandma Linda

3rd stop post surgery ~ HOME!

you're home gage!  mommy sent auntie em an email at 10:46 a.m. saying "packed up and ready to go."  what wonderful news!

the doctors told your dear parents that you did really well over night.  they took the stickers off of your little face, the IV out of your hand and the monitors off of your chest and foot. woo hoo!!!! (that's what mommy said).

doctors say that your sternum is still broken and that you will have pain for the next six weeks but not to worry little man because they sent you home with lots of lortab.

i believe that you are amazing little gage.  please pretend that there were a bunch of balloons and all sorts of goodies from auntie em waiting for you at home because in my perfect world, that would be the truth. i love you so much gage and i'll continue to track your healing here until your mommy catches the blogging bug 100% and tells me to sign off. 

please come visit us soon.  i know grandma is going to come and take good care of you for a little while in the comfort of your own home.  enjoy your time with her but as soon as you're able, come back to me so we can play together with all these toys i've found!

until then. ... i'll be thinking about you.

love,

auntie em

dear gage

Baby Gage,  I am so happy to hear how well you are doing and i hope that you get to go home tomorrow. You are so amazing and strong gage and hope that you know how many people love you. Payton cant wait till she can come play with you i have been showing her your pictures and she points and smiles just like she knows how special you really are! Im sure She cant wait till she can play with you again. We all love you and are so glad to see that you are smiling again.  See you soon baby Gage!  Love Kerrisa,  Payton and Jordan :)

dear gage

Hey buddy,

I know…I’m a little late. Typical for your dad to say something after things have turn out as good as possible. But you will learn with time that your daddy isn’t as good at expressing his feelings like your mommy is. But I just wanted to tell my best friend how much I love him; you’re the best thing that has ever happened to me! When we found out that you would have to have surgery your mom was a mess. Can’t blame her.

She didn’t know how I felt. I think it made her question how much I cared, because I was not crying. If only she was there in those car rides. Those car rides when I thought what life would be like without you. I cried like a little boy. I do love you, even though you take up my side of the big bed. I do love you, even when you force me to lay on my side just to fit on the bed.  I might not be good with words, but I hope I will always be able to show you how much I love you.

I loved today, seeing you smile again, seeing you grab my beard and try to rip it off again. These things showed me that you were back. My best friend was back. Soon again we’ll be terrorizing your mom again.

Love your daddy

dear gage ~ love momma

Little mister. It was so nice to see you like yourself again. All the nurses LOVE you. Who wouldn’t love you? Maybe Momma is biased, but I think you are as perfect as it gets! Momma overheard the nurses fighting over who got to watch over the "mellow" baby! That’s you my precious little man (for now anyways)! You have a way of winning over the ladies hearts…it’s something that I know I will have to worry about in the future. But, for now, keep on flirting!

You grabbed and scratched our faces. You smiled and laughed. We even got you talking with your hoarse little voice. It’s nice to have my baby back!

I spent a lot of time thinking of a way that I could say goodnight a little differently and yet make it special. I have never been one to sing. I don’t know any lullabuys. But momma would do anything to make her little mister smile. I knew this would be the perfect way to express the way I feel, say goodnight, and bring a smile to your face. It’s the only way to end an evening with you when saying goodnight, which is sometimes so difficult to do.

Close your eyes my pet, I will sing for you,

it's a lullaby I never knew,

in this world you know, some things must come and go,

but my world is all in loving you.

It's a simple song, and it's words are true,

and I'll do the best that I can do,

as I write this song, how can the words be wrong,

when they're all about my loving you?

You've got Mommy's eyes, and now I realize

God has blessed my world with loving you,

you've got Daddy's nose, a joke I suppose,

but it's still, what makes up you.

As you close your eyes, here's a prayer or two,

While you sleep I will be here for you.

Things might come and go, but this you'll always know,

Mommy’s lullaby is just for you.

N'night little mister. Love,

Momma

dear gage

Dear Sweet Baby Gage

Wow, from the pictures your Autie Em has posted and Daddy has posted you are looking more and more like yourself again. Those beautiful bright eyes light up the whole page!
We are so happy that you are on the mend and will be home soon!!

Love Aunt Connie and Uncle Larry