Kate's 5th Family Day

Dear Kate,

It was 5 years ago when we traveled to Colombia to meet you for the very first time. Our adorable baby girl. You were just 9 months old. We were so anxious and excited to finally be able to scoop you up in our arms.  

We were bustling around that morning at our Plenitud apartment in Bogota, preparing for the drive to FANA to meet you later that day. But instead of putting on our Sunday best to see you in the Green Room at FANA, we'd instead be racing over to Simon Bolivar Hospital where you had been admitted the night before.

You had been diagnosed with RSV and Influenza A and were struggling to keep your oxygen stats at an acceptable level. You were on supplemental oxygen and had an IV placed in your neck. But despite all that, you were alert and in great spirits. You even gobbled up a bottle during our visit.

Leaving you behind at the hospital was one of the most difficult things we ever had to do. But unfortunately, we were not yet your parents legally, even though you were already our daughter in our hearts. A FANA nurse would watch you until we were able return during visiting hours the next day.

We would return to the hospital the next 12 days to visit you. You gave us quite the scare on the 3rd day. When we arrived, you were lethargic and under an oxygen vent. It was so hard to see you like that and not be able to hold you. All we could do was rub your arms and legs to let you know we were there.

Thankfully, every day following you got better and stronger. 

Although you still needed supplemental oxygen, the doctor agreed to discharge you. On May 12, 2018 on a cold dark rainy Bogota night, you left Simon Bolivar Hospital in our arms. We were finally heading to our home-away-from-home to begin our lives together.

Fast forward 5 years, and you are a strong, healthy girl full of energy and oh so many questions. Your little brain is constantly thinking through all sorts of deep thoughts. Topics like "Where do babies come from?" Or "What happens when you die?" To "How can I turn into a mermaid?" You sure do keep us on our toes! 

Your 5th Family Day celebration began with a cookies-n-cream smoothie and a cake-pop from Caribou.

Afterwards, you choose a family outing to one of your favorite places - Chuck E Cheese! You played all your favorite games and dined on cheese pizza and fries. 

You even got to meet the one and only Chuck E! You are a bit of a celebrity there - one of the waitresses knew your name and came over for a chat. You just may be spending a bit too much time at Chuck E Cheese!

Nana Bev and Popi Jerry arrived just in time to take part in your dinner celebration. You choose another one of your favorites - a burger and fries from Wendy's. You sure do love Wendy's fast food!

Kate, you are our sweet, kindhearted, motherly little one. You love playing with dolls - feeding them, changing their diapers, and getting them dressed. You often ask to do the same for your little sister Aria.  You are such a great helper! You love holding Aria even though she's quite the big girl too (you two are just 5 1/2 months apart). You love being a big sister and grin from cheek to cheek when I set her in your lap.

You are our fashionista and love getting dressed up. You'd wear dresses every day if you could. A fancy dress, jewelry, dolled up hair, a pair of high heels and you are set for the day! You are quite the girly girl!

Not only do you love getting your hair styled, but you love styling others as well! Your Pa was sure a good sport sitting patiently as you jazzed up his hair style. Just look at all those bows!

Your recent school project was an "All About Me" poster with lots of questions to answer. When asked, "Where is your favorite place to go?", without hesitation and with absolute certainty you replied, "The gas station." Of all the places you could chose from, the gas station is what popped into your head. You love our family bike rides to the gas station up the street where you can pick out any treat you'd like - candy, chips, ice cream…so many yummy options!

When asked what you want to be when you grow up, you were torn between option #1: A princess or option #2: a mermaid. You have some lofty goals to achieve, but you definitely feel it's possible. When I explained that mermaids weren't real, you matter-of-factly replied, "Well, you never know. I just need to find the necklace that can turn me into a mermaid." "Well, you never know" is the answer you always give when someone doubts you.  Oh my Kate, your determination will definitely take you places!

Another often muttered Kate-ism is "How dare you?" Between you and your sister Rose, I must hear this at least a dozen times a day. If someone takes your toy, "How dare you?" If we run out of your favorite snack, "How dare you?" If you lose a game, "How dare you?" It seems to be the top phrase of the day and so funny to hear out of your mouth.

You love random trinkets. So much so that you've collected a number of small 'Kate boxes' to store all your stuff in. You simply can't get ready to go somewhere without filling a box or bag with tiny parts of toys, doll accessories, or game pieces to haul along with you on your journey.

You have become quite the little Roblox guru. You saw your big sister playing it, and you just had to try it out yourself. Your favorite Roblox game is called "Betty's Nursery Escape" where a babysitter named Betty chases you around. You think it's a blast and are super proud that you were able to win it all by yourself without the help of your big sis. 

You give the BEST "goodnights" every night before bed. First a hug, then a high 5, followed by a kiss for me, then a kiss for you, then another big hug, and lastly a high 5. This can go on for several minutes as you determine the next step in the long sequence of hugs/kisses/high 5s until you are throughly satisfied that a sufficient adieu was given by both parties.

Kate, you are our silly, bosterous, cuddle-loving cutie! We had a wonderful day celebrating you, our one and only Katie-cat (a.k.a. Tator Tot). We are forever grateful to have been chosen as your parents. You are a our little ray of sunshine filling our days with cuddles and giggles. We love you, Tator Tot. A very happy Family Day to you!