Charlie turns 4!

Did you know that four years ago, March 1st, Cannon Memorial Hospital saw the most exciting snow in years? Well, something even more remarkable should be remembered that day. Charles Craig Ward entered my life with a head full of hair and a sweet little cry. The memories are so fresh for me. There is no way I could ever forget the day the Lord blessed my life.

It is true, a child changes your life forever, however, what no woman can be prepared for is how they change your heart. You hurt for them more than you ever imagined, you laugh louder, snuggle tighter, and consider every little aspect of life more than you ever did before.

 After plenty of discussion Charlie decided he wanted a basketball party this year. We held the hooplah at Jamie's old elementary school. We battled the weather and a lack of heat, but our loved ones pulled through. The party was a reminder of just how much Charlie means. 

We took the entire week prior to his birthday in true Heather fashion. HOOPLAH...yes, Melissa, plain old hooplah. No day is more exciting than your birthday, so I made it as special as possible. We decorated Charlie's room with banners and streamers, huge banners in the kitchen, made a homemade cake just the way Charlie wanted it, then ate it for birthday breakfast, took a late night trip to Chuck E Cheese, and then topped off the weekend with a trip to the ASU basketball game.

I can't stop and think about time very often. I shed tears, a lot on my pillow while I snuggled him in the middle of the night. He still smells the same, he still drags the same ragged blanket, he's still my baby. I hold him down on occasion, and make him admit that he loves me. Each milestone is a gift, but that doesn't make it easy on my heart. I miss rocking him. I miss nursing him, but how thankful I am to be able to see him grow and learn. I love him, and I love that I am seeing him become a young man.

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

Here's an added smile just to remember how time flies.......video recorded: December 2010