Tuesday, March 2, 2010

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." — Dr. Seuss






Zoey shares her birthday with the extraordinary Dr.Seuss.I didn't realize that 3 years ago.My mind was elsewhere.But our very sweet primary nurse in the NICU,"momma Lindsay",presented Zoey with a darling Dr.Seuss shirt in week two of Zoey's unexpected 2 1/2 month stay.Lindsay was going away for a week or so at our 2 week mark and she thought that since Zoey was "doing so well",that maybe we would be gone when she returned.Don't I wish that was how it actually played out.However,regardless of our unanticipated extended stay,that shirt I have treasured,everyday since.I always will.

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!"
— Dr. Seuss

Zoey had a great day.Well,except for a nasty cold that continues to plaque her.But you don't think a pesky cold kept our warrior girl down do you?No way.She was charming.Happy,except when I tried to put her down for a nap.She wanted no part of her crib.Let me know by tossing her "friends' that keep her company in there,about and crying and she NEVER cries.I couldn't let my girl cry.Most especially on her birthday.So I rescued her within 10 minutes and she literally smiled the moment I walked through the bedroom door.When I asked her if she wanted to get up,her head nodded ferociously.Who could blame her... no one wants to nap on their birthday.Well,except her Auntie Michelle,who likes to nap on any day and maybe especially on her birthday!

Zoey and I went to Starbucks and did her favorite thing .... people watched.We must have sang Happy Birthday to her like 30 times.She loved it and signed "more music" almost immediately upon us stopping .The boys were so cute with her too.Asking her,"Are you the big birthday girl?" over and over and sweet Joe, who straight out of his classroom said,"Have you had a happy birthday day so far Zoey?"

Very low key celebration tonight.The kids always pick out their birthday menu and since Zoey couldn't tell us for herself,I asked Jake what he thought a 3 year old might like.He said pizza and "vanilla,chocolate and strawberry ice cream because she wears white,brown and pink alot."So cute.The funniest part of it all is that Zoey DOESN'T even eat!One day Miss Zoey.One day you will kick that g-tube habit and indulge in pizza and ice cream.In the mean time, we ate for her and then some.Jess remarked that the menu items were her all time favorites and she could eat them everyday... sounds good to me,cuts down on my need for cooking!

I have to wind this up because that very same nasty cold that Zoey has,I have as well and tonight I have the WORST sore throat and I NEVER have sore throats... that scares me.We have a big week ahead with party preparations and I CANNOT be down and out.I CANNOT be down and out.But before I close I want to thank everyone for their beautiful,beautiful birthday wishes for our girl.I was moved by each and everyone of them.Cried at some.Smiled big smiles at others but all of them,all of them,truly touched my heart.So thank you from the bottom of my very humble,gratitude filled, heart.

32 comments:

JUST A MOM said...

To our precious friend Zoey. Thank you for showing us what PERFECT really is.

Happy Birthday SWEET GIRL!

We LOVE you,
Mike, Alison, Bailey, Brooklyn, Buddy, Emmett and Tate

Denise said...

By the way, look at what I just posted about Ella "eating"

Denise said...

Such sweet pictures of the birthday girl!! You guys take good care of yourselves the next few days so we can have a big birthday bash this weekend. I loved hearing about you guys just sitting at Starbucks and people watching. I can picture you and I with Ella and Zoey doing that together. Wouldn't that be fun???

Unknown said...

Happy Happy Birthday beautiful Girl! Hope this day and week and party are all perfect for all the Needhams. Wish I could be there celebrating with you...my heart will be there with all of you and I hope, hope to make it there soon to see you all! Love you Heather, Love you Zoey!!! xo

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday Miss Zoey! You also share a birthday with Big Chris, Chrisotpher's Dad, but I don't think he would mind if you got the lion's share of the attention. :) Hope you had a wonderful day! Give some smooches to Jaxson & family for us!

Hugs~

Steph and Christopher

Stephanie said...

Heather,in that first picture she looks THREE! what a big girl.
Praying for you to be in top shape for the party. Medicate yourself well! Cannot wait for that!!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

Praying your sore throat goes away very quickly and you are NOT getting sick!!! It's so hard when the mamas are sick!!!

My name is Sarah said...

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY Birthday sweet Zoey!!!!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
heidi marie said...

i did not realize that henry and zoey share a birthday, how wonderfully special! ;)

a big and HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ZOEY! you are so beautiful and amazing.

henry and zoey will definitely have to meet one day, and hopefully that day won't be too far off in the distance. it has been wonderful to get you know all of you through this amazing blog over the years.

Ivey's Mom said...

Happy Birthday....sweet Zoey...youer than you!!

(as a sidenote, we have the same counter tops.)

Hope your days are all you can dream of!! Sending you our love birthday girl!

Lacey said...

Oh I'm sorry your not feeling well. It always has great timing doesn't it? Zoey looks beautiful, and those cute brothers, my boys can't wait to play!

Anonymous said...

love her big brothers' comments and food wishes for her birthday. Adorable outfit - such a little "big girly, girly". Can't wait to hold her next month. Yipee, Auntie Bluebelle & Gramma Barbara heading West.

How sweet of Joe to ask her if she had a good birthday so far... It will be my first holding of Joe too. Way, way too long - Jake was a little one when I last saw him...

Feel better Heather & Zoey

Bluebelle

The VW's said...

What a beautiful, sweet and happy girl!

I love those quotes by Dr. Seuss! What a fun thing.....to share your bithday with a fun guy like that!

Feel better soon! Love and Hugs!!!

almcl said...

I love the pic with her and the candles. It reminds of Joe's birthday when it took forever to light the candle. But the same second it was lit, Joe blew it out immediately.
haha.

Glad to see it was a great birthday! Happy, Happy Birthday Zoey!

Dana Janowicz said...

The love in your family brings me to tears. How blessed you all are. What a joyous and special day for Zoey!

Anonymous said...

OMG "More Music" I can picture it! Thank you for sharing Zoey's birthday with us, and hope you are BOTH feeling better. Get rest, it's the only good medicine. I'd be glad to run around for you. Call if you'd like that. xo Christi Harman

Hope said...

Happy Birthday Zoey!

Cammie Heflin said...

Happy Birthday Zoey!! We love you!

Monica said...

Happy Birthday Precious Zoey!!!!

Peter Olson said...

Praying that better health is coming in the morning.

Love that Dr. Seuss!

tonia said...

Happy Birthday Zoey.
I haven't had a computer since last November so I look forward to catching up on what you and your family have been up too

Tonia xx

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday sweet Zoey!!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY, HAPPY HAPPY birthday to you, sweet girl!

Anna said...

You always bring out the tears in me. Sounds like you are coming down with what weve just gotten over.... it was bad. I hope not. Give that sweet girl a hug from me! I wouldve loved to people watch with you! HUG HUG

Amy Simindinger said...

I just stumbled across your blog, and had to leave a comment. In my professional life, I'm the principal of a K-8 school in Ohio for children with differing learning needs and challenges. I work with children with autism, Down Syndrome, ADD, etc. However, personally, I also have a three year old little girl named Zoey. (This is the first time I've seen someone who spelled it the same way I did!) She turned 3 on December 9. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful and thank you for sharing her story. I bookmarked your site and will visit often!

sheree said...

happy birthday, sweet, SWEET Zoey!!

Becca said...

Happy birthday, Zoey! She's a beautiful little girl!

Nicolette S. said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful baby girl! I came across this lovely lovely blog today and thought of you and your sweet baby girl...


"And I wish so badly I could go back to that devastated mama I was six weeks ago, scoop up my sobbing self in that hospital bed with my Rocky puffed-up face, wipe my tears, smile and tell myself, Oh, you just wait. You have no idea.

There is magic in that extra chromosome, I tell you. Magic."

http://www.kellehampton.com/

Peter Olson said...

Zoey is such a cutie!
I love that you quote Dr. Seuss. He is my favorite author. Ha! Ha!
I pray that Zoey has many more Happy Birthdays. ;-)
May God Bless you richly with His Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, and Perseverance.

I'm working on that last one for a message this Sunday. ;-)

kecia said...

oh she is so cute! Bree and her are the same age...!

Jeanette said...

HAPPIEST of Birthdays to such a precious little angel!!!

How appropos, last week was Dr. Suess' birthday. "Oh The Places You'll Go" is one of my favorite books.

It sounds like a great celebration of such a wonderful life!! Happy birthday to Zoey... and happy celebration to you mom!!!