Remember Gabi...

One week prior to surgery, this is how we want everyone to remember our angel... One determined little girl, even at 5 1/2 months!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Angel!!!

It was a year ago today since our sweet angel was in our arms for the very first time. Oh how we wish we could hold you again, and kiss you and hug you and squeeze you and touch you, especially that cute little bottom of yours:)























Today will be tough for all of those who lives you touched, but just know sweet Gabi you are never far from our hearts. Daddy's pink and squishy, Mommy's sunshine, Sissy's Gabber Goo...oh sweet angel we love you!

BALLOONS FOR GABI...FINAL REMINDER!!!

CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF
GABRIELE SHERIDAN ACKER,

JANURARY 12, 2008...her first birthday

(hot pink) Balloon Release

12 pm central standard time!!!



*** Be sure to attach a little note to Gabi and include the blog address, http://gabrielesheridan.blogspot.com/
One thing to think about is you may need to get some clear contact paper at Walmart so that the note does not get ruined. That was great idea given to me and we will be doing it, because I want to be sure others learn about our special little angel!!! Also it should not weigh down the balloon, that is key, do not make it to heavy or it won't go far. And people Gabi is really looking forward to getting her hot pink balloons:)

This is your friendly reminder for the big day tomorrow. We have had so many people respond and we are so excited for all the people who will be celebrating with us. I have to be very honest though, we are not really looking forward to the actual event. We are so heart broken and feel such emptiness in our hearts. Gabi changed our lives forever and we just wish we were able to celebrate with her here.
This has been a very challenging week for us. We try so hard to continue to focus on all the positive, but when your first child together is no longer a part of your everyday life it is absolutely misable. I have tried so hard to be strong, but I am a complete mess inside and I think it is becoming apparent on the outside.
We have so much to look forward to with Miss Kinsley, but it makes us miss our Gabbers that much more. We will definitely share with Kinsley all the joy that Gabi brought into our lives. We will teach her what Gabi taught us. She will be a very appreciative little girl and more importantly she will have a very special angel at her side at all times.
The hardest part about this whole thing is that the entire world continues to go on around us and we try really hard to keep up, but we just wish we'd of been able to freeze time. I want to go back to a happier time when Gabi was at home with us. How do you completely fulfill life and keep going??? We have our faith in God and we know he will get us through this, but can we ever truly get through this?

Please do not stop reading here, Jason posted below yesterday. He is such an amazing person, we are so blessed to have each other. I couldn't of asked for more in my life partner, he truly is my soul mate. Jason, I love you with all my heart and there is no doubt in my mind we will find happiness. We had the most amazing little girl in our lives, she touched our hearts and made us better people. I am so glad we had the chance to experience what life really is all about!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE:)

Daddy's Thoughts

Well, I figured it was about time that I sat down and put another entry in here. Not to mention Micah told me I needed to! haha

This Saturday is going to be a very difficult day for everyone that was close to Gabi. Micah and I try so hard to be so strong, but Saturday is going to be a day that we're not. We are going to be so comforted and feel so blessed that all of you will be releasing balloons with us on Saturday. However, we have decided to be by ourselves when we release our balloons versus inviting our friends in Indiana to be with us. All of the friends we have met up here would gladly be there and support us and we appreciate all of them for that. Micah and I just really need that time with each other. Everything has happened so fast that in all honesty still doesn't feel like she is really gone. With the new year and now her birthday and she isn't here...the harsh reality sets in a little stronger each day.

Micah gives me too much credit I believe in her entries on here. I try to do all I can and hope to continue to do more, but it never feels like enough. This is my chance to share how much of an amazing woman my wife is. She keeps everyone up to date on us on here. She has forced her self to get out and about and become a part of our surroundings in Indiana. She shares our story with all she can in hopes that it helps in some way. She makes sure that she is always there for me in so many different ways. It's crazy how much the little things turn into huge deals in your life. When Micah takes the time to pack me a lunch, kiss me good morning every day, kiss me when I get home without fail, and tell me how much she loves me every chance she gets makes every day worth living. I'm not sure how I got so lucky cause I'm pretty sure I don't deserve such an amazing woman!

I want to say thank you so much to all of you that are still following along with our journey. Any one with kids knows that whether you're children are 4 or 45 the journey as a parent never ends. Gabi is no longer with us but our journey as her parents will never end until the day we join her in heaven. So our goal is to continue and be the best parents to Gabi and her memory that we can!

So to everyone following along that is a parent. The next time your child gets on your last nerve. The next time you get frustrated with them being annoying little monkeys. Be thankful that you have that opporutnity with your children to experience that particular phase of their lives. Give them their timeout, smack on the tooshy, or take that favorite toy away...then kiss them hug them and smell them as if you need to hold on to that touch, scent, or feeling as if they we'ren't going to be there tomorrow.

It's funny the older we get we read things like "Live today as if it were your last!" or "Live today as if there was no tomorrow." The crazy thing is no one ever puts a quote out there that says "Parent today as if your child wasn't going to be here tomorrow!" or "If today was the last day of your childs life...how would you spend it with them?" Ok...I'm rambling...haha. In short, love your kids, keep your head up, and love as much as you can today...you may not get to share that love tomorrow! We love all of you and hope all of you know how genuine and sincere we are about that! Hugs around the world baby! hahaha

Love Love Love Love
Jason, Micah, Gracie, Angel Gabi, Belly Baby Kinsley :-)

Modest Little Girl...

I almost forgot this is really cute! Today when the tech was looking at Miss Kinsley we had a hard time getting good pictures. She kept putting her little hands in front of her face like she was blocking her face for her debut in May. Then she tried to see her private area and she kept putting her legs behind her bottom the whole time. She is a private little lady. I doubt this is a sign of her being shy...it that even possible for Jason and I to have a shy child...hhhmmmmm?? Let's just call her modest:)

"Normal"

So really can anyone define the word normal? We just got back from the level 2 and everything came back good. Kinsley is developing very well. The only thing is she is very small, imagine that. Big sis was small on the charts, but they said it was mostly because of the down syndrome. Well today the doctor said she was in the 20th percentile for weight and measurements...arms, legs, head, etc. He said there is no reason to think it is because of an abnormality, but it is because of Mommy!!! So looks as if not only is Jason going to have all girls, but little girls at that.
So the doctor goes onto say everything is normal! I often think to myself how strange it will be if this pregnancy was "normal." I know that God and Angel Gabi are on our side, protecting Kinsley. It is a wonderful thought to think we can be treated as "normal." I have to admit though I liked the extra attention we were given when pregnant with Gabi. The doc's watched her every move it seemed like, it was very comforting. But then again, the thought of knowing that our baby is a healthy baby is very comforting too. So I guess I have experienced the best of both worlds. I wouldn't of changed a thing about Gabi, other than given her a healthy heart, but I am really looking forward to only one appointment a month...in and out!
Even though we have postive reports, please continue to pray for Kinsley's health and Mommy's sanity!!!
Thanks and love to all:)

Kinsley Update

There is not a whole lot to report, today we had a check up. I will be 21 weeks tomorrow. She is doing just fine, moving around quite a bit. She gave Dr. Meltzer a hard time today. Kinsley is just like big sis, Gabi. She kept moving around making it hard to find her heart beat. But it was still loud and clear the few seconds she stayed still long enough to hear it.
Tomorrow is our repeat level 2 ultrasound...I will post then will another update.

Don't forget Saturday is Balloons for Gabi. We are really looking forward to see the pictures of all who are participating!!!

The Lollipop Kids...

Ok, I am going to post this, but I have one thing to say...BE NICE!!! This last weekend we took Gracie to the children's museum, which is a really big thing here in Indy. Our favorite part was the crazy mirrors. Gracie really enjoyed the carousel too!! In this video you will totally see why I titled this the Lollipop Kids. Please feel free to laugh and comment, but remember BE NICE!!! I just thought we could all use some good humor every now and then!

I also wanted to share that we are officially half way through the pregnancy! So tonight we took a few more pictures. Kinsley has been moving a bit more, the other night was so amazing, she kicked 3 times. It was perfect!!! Next week I have my 21 week check and the second level 2.

Have a good evening and remember...BE NICE, I am pregnant and know telling how I could react...oh the emotions, just ask my poor husband:)

Better Hope For The Future...

Well it is official that 2007 has come and gone. We are really looking forward to a fresh new year. I have to say though as I sit back and reflect on 2007 I have so many mixed emotions. It started off as the best year of my life, but as you all know made a turn for the very worst. And although I wish to never go back to 2007, it will definitely be a year we will never forget. Our beautiful baby girl brought us so much joy and happiness. She was part of our lives for only a short time, but she made such an impact on us. I am so proud to be known as Gabi's Mommy! Our little angel has touched so many lives and we are so blessed for those who have come into our lives because of her.

Last night was very bittersweet. I tried so hard to be so excited for what is in store for us in 08, but it was as if I was saying good bye forever, and that is something I am definitely not prepared to do. Gabi was with us all night last night, I just know it! Her wind chimes were going crazy. And boy did that help mommy, I have been crying for the entire last week. I just miss her so much and it is so hard to accept that I will never hold her here in my arms. But I did tell Jason the other day, I used to fear my own death, but now I actually have something very special to look forward to. Sorry to get so deep, but it has been a while since I have expressed such deep emotions. And with the week I've had, it was bound to happen.

This is really cool though, last night we watched Dick Clarks Rock New Years, I secretly want to go to watch the big ball drop someday...Jason thinks I'm crazy, but I have always wanted to! Anyways after the ball dropped they were interviewing people in the crowd and they had back ground music playing, you will never believe what is was...Over the Rainbow, the Brother IZ version. That is the only that says...Hey, this one's for Gabi. Out of all the music that could of been played it was her special song, of course I teared up again! I really believe she is trying so hard to let us know she is ok...it is just so hard for us to comprehend when we knew how safe she was here with us.

Kinsley is one lucky little baby because I know big sis, Gabi, is constantly watching over and protecting her. As scared as I am to hold another baby the way I did Gabi, I know how much of a blessing she is and I am so thankful that our prayers were answered. Gabi was not healthy and as any parent would hope, she made the decision for us when she decided to go home to the Lord. As awful as that was she also left us a little something behind, her baby sister. So Gabi, Daddy and I thank you so much for all that you blessed us with. Mommy, Daddy, Big Sis Gracie, and Little Sis Kinsley love you so much!!!

On that note I hope everyone has a blessed 08 and please remember our precious angel, GABI

Don't forget to mark your calendars on January 12...Balloons for Gabi

We will be doing a hot pink balloons release at 12 pm central standard time in honor of our angel's first birthday. Please take pictures and send them to me for my scrapbooking!!! email pics to micah@giftsofgabisgrace.org Thank you so much to those of you who plan to participate and have already responded.

Pacers Game

In case you didn't know I changed my hair...again!






The foam finger always goes
over well with a 6 year old!















I swear we were really there for the game:)


Gracie finally got to go to her first NBA game on last night. It was a really good game, the Pacers played the Pistons, unfortunately they lost in the last minute, but we were already gone, so not a big deal for us. They had some pretty good entertainment, check out the video, watch close though, Jason recorded and he didn't know how long it would record, so really pay attention or you will miss it!