Ari's Official Stats @1

Written by Melissa
Information and Video Provided by Heather

A child is never truly officially another year old until she goes to the doctor and her stats are officially recorded! At one-year-old, Ariana weighs in at 19 lbs and 12 ounces, putting her in the 25th percentile for weight. She's also 27 inches tall, which places her at less than the 3rd percentile in height. So, Shakespeare reminds us, "and though she be but little, she is fierce." Of course, at one, her brother was on the opposite end of the chart - and he considers himself quite fierce, too! He can (and most likely will) use his size to be her protector! :-)

As my godmother would say, Ariana is well on her way to becoming "a mover and a shaker!" Our sweet girl is not only growing physically, but she is inspiring the growth of our Razoo for PRISMS. Quite the philanthropist, indeed! Check her out as she rides in her pink convertible and waves like the princess that she is!

TCS Pre-K Geckos

Written by Melissa

Asa has enjoyed a full week at his new school, The Children's School (TCS). He is in the "Geckos" Pre-K class, with his teachers Jean, Nitefa, and Leslie. We've been able to get bits and pieces out of him at the end of his long days about what he's doing. Mostly, "I don't remember" is the first reply, but when we push a bit, he comes out with all sorts of cool happenings, including popcorn breaks, snacks outside, all school assembly with "the very old 6th graders," and more. Being the new kid on the block can be tough, but Asa has really not shown any signs of regression. He fondly mentions his friends from his old school and hasn't spoken too much of any new friends, at least not by name, yet. But he's a Zbeeb - he's got the gift of gab - he'll be popular in no time.

Until then, he's been incredibly happy to have this little guy - a classmate, indeed - to keep him smiling and looking very forward to each day. Not sure if this is Dash or Violet, but we're glad they are both on the class roster in the "Geckos" room.

On Her Birthday, She Gives

Written by Heather

Thank you so much to all who traveled near and far for Ariana's first birthday. We missed so many due to the distance, but your love and wishes were present with us. Ariana will enjoy all of her gifts, but many more do and will enjoy the gifts that she gives. Thanks to her spirit, and the generosity of family and friends, nearly $1500 was raised for PRISMS over the weekend, putting us over the half-way mark in our goal toward $10,000. And we still have donations coming in. What seemed like a far shot is coming more and more into reach. We are full of love and gratitude to all.

Congratulations to all the raffle winners:
PRISMS gift basket -------- Cris Thorp
Thirty-One package -------- Andrew Zbeeb
Bath and Body gift card --- Amanda Larkin
WalMart gift card ---------- Pam Ferraro
Panera gift card ------------- Nickie Peters
Humidor --------------------- Carol Drury
Stationary gift bag ---------- Cassidy Wilbanks
Golf clubs -------------------- Frazer Vaughn
Butterfly painting ----------- Margaret Miller

A Year Flew By

Written by Melissa

There's an old saying, the days are long, but the years fly by. For me, the past year was filled with days that were so painfully long I thought they'd never end. Still, it is hard to believe that Ariana turned one this past weekend. Seems it was only yesterday that I met her.

On August 18, 2012, I delivered Ariana. Compared to the labor and delivery of her older brother, Ari's entrance into the world was a breeze. Unfortunately this go round, it was not my health at risk, but Ariana's. Almost immediately she was whisked away by nurses to the neonatal intensive care unit. The memory of that moment is just as heartbreaking as it was on that day. We never saw it coming. Only Ariana knew what she had in store for us all.

In just one year so much has changed. Lives have changed. Many lives. Ariana has probably touched more people in her first year of life than I've touched in my 35 years. She is special, in so many more ways than we even know.

Celebrating her birth is bittersweet, of course. When she was born I had no idea that I'd live my life without her in my home. I had no idea the struggles and challenges that she would face, that we would all face. I had no idea I'd walk the rest of my days with a broken heart.

But then there is the 'sweet' - there is Ari. She is teaching me to love in a new way - a way without bounds, without barriers - a way of full trust and great faith. She does this through her parents, Jim and Heather, and their incredible openness and strength. She does this through her brother, Asa, and his amazing resilience and acceptance of our new normal. And she does this through her big eyes and bright smile that both show me her soul and tell me she is exactly where she is supposed to be.

 

And so, a year later, we're okay. Actually, we're more than okay. We're family. And families celebrate first birthdays BIG. Ari's party was filled with butterflies, balloons, cake, fun, laughter, and love. Surrounded by the many she's touched - both in person and in spirit - Ariana turned one with style and ease. And then, decided she was partied out!

See all the party pics here.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatchya Gonna Do?

Written by Melissa

Asa and Ariana were in sync last week when they both posed as police officers. I think they could be cited as the cutest darn cops I've ever seen!

If we had a dollar for every snore...

Written by Melissa
Video by Heather

To encourage the continued generosity of our friends and family... and their friends and family... as well as to show our sincerest gratitude, Heather will be posting a new (and always adorable) video of Ariana to the Razoo website each week until the marathon. To start, take a look at sleeping beauty - we dare you not to get awed by her snoring! :-)