i am a mother

and my daughter had a very tough time keeping this surprise tucked behind her back this morning before Baba came down from his shower to be present for the gift giving :) i have to say, though i am always giddy about a gift certificate to my favorite photo shop (and i mean GIDDY) nothing compares to this kind of stickering and the special love that only your 5 year old can pour into one very simple, and absolutely perfect card. i am blessed blessed blessed!

(those are big hands for big hugs, btw!)

part of my weekend included a trip downtown. ransom took a short turn for the worse with some coughing and hacking, and it became persistent at night and for several, kept him (and me) up for at least a couple hours on average between 3-6 AM. he seemed so worn out and i was beginning to think i couldn't let him go on like this. he also started producing some yucky junk from his nose (still doing that) as well. we tried a cough suppressant that didn't seem to really work. and i wrote too many emails and made too many calls to our fave vet, which no doubt drove her nuts :) but it was determined, and i was reassured, that these respiratory issues were in no way causing him discomfort and that we would be able to find a way to manage the problem.

i decided, in honor of my first dog since childhood- and truly, my first dog- my buddy- the boy who has seen me through hell and back, to have a little something special placed on the pulse of my wrist, in honor of him. it was inspired by the necklace that i wear around my neck and never take off....

and the magic that cured the cough? codeine.

truthfully, i wasn't supposed to start him on it until the script is filled on monday, but it happens i have some left over of my own from last summer and i knew the dosage for him. he hasn't coughed at night in 2 days, has slept straight through, and had so much energy yesterday that he played with this tennis ball- a first in over a month! (and i promise his goofy face was not drug induced, merely a hilarious moment caught off guard)!

blessings, blessings, blessings! i am constantly amazed at his strength and resilience. i see and feel the size of his tumors and it baffles me how he keeps bouncing back. today we blessed him with holy water from Lourdes, praying over him and thanking him for his love. he teaches me everyday that death has more to do with living than dying. and this is such a good lesson!

happy mothers day... this has been the best one yet. something tells me my mom is smiling down on this weekend, on this day.