Kate's 8th Family Day

Dear Kate - It was 8 years ago on April 30th when we were in Bogota, Colombia, running around our rental apartment getting everything ready for our trip to FANA. The time was finally here to meet you, our beautiful daughter! But a phone call would soon have us shifting our plans. What was once joy and excitement turned into fear and worry. You had been admitted to the hospital with RSV and influenza the day prior. Instead of our happily-ever-after starting that day, we'd be making a bee line to Simon Bolivar hospital to meet you for the very first time. 

After gathering the necessary paperwork, we arrived to the hospital ICU security area. After lots of back in forth, our friend Jorge Rico finally convinced the security guard to allow us to enter. We walked into the jam packed pediatric ICU area where we finally found you. You were hooked up to oxygen with an IV in your neck. Thankfully you seemed in good spirits, and I was even able to feed you a bottle.

We were only allowed to stay for a short window of time during visiting hours which meant we'd have to say good-bye just after saying our first hellos. It was heart-breaking to leave you behind. 

We'd return day after day for 12 long days before you were finally able to be discharged. You were still on supplemental oxygen when we greeted you outside the hospital on a cold, dark Bogota night and drove off to our apartment where we'd finally start our lives together.

Since then, you have grown so big and strong. You no longer have chronic respiratory infections. In fact, you are rarely sick.

Your family day fell on a Thursday this year. We celebrated with dinner of your choice. These days, your favorite meal happens to be mac and cheese from Red Robin. For some reason, you think they make the absolute best mac and cheese in the world!

You had had a busy day at school, and just a few hours after dinner, you were already fast asleep.

We continued your celebration the following weekend. You knew exactly what you wanted to do. First stop, a cat cafe! Knowing absolutely nothing about the local cat cafes, I did a bit of research and discovered one just a short drive away called the Cafe Meow. Pre-purchasing a 1-hour access to their cat lounge was highly recommended as only up to 3 children aged 7-10 could be in the lounge at the same time and those under 7 could not be admitted. Who knew they'd have to many rules to follow!

You, Rose, Owen and I ventured off to Roseville's Cafe Meow for our very first cat lounge experience. After purchasing our drinks, we strolled into the area that housed the cats. You played with a couple different cats until you found this sweet little tortoiseshell kitty who loved all your attention.

While Rose fell in love with this precious orange and white boy. The kitties were darling, and you both begged to bring them home with us. I should have known that would be the case. All the kitties at the cafe were looking for homes. But alas, our hour in the cat lounge was up and somehow we left without a kitty in tow.

Off to home we headed for lunch. You had requested takeout from Jersey Mikes. You love their turkey sandwiches, even the tomatoes!

Then we were on to our next adventure of the day. You and Mom headed to the Shoreview Community Center water park for a fun afternoon of swimming and splashing. We explored all the areas of the waterpark with your favorite being the floating sea creatures that you climbed up on over and over, most often needing a big boost by Mom. We had a lovely time at the water park and you would have stayed much longer, but we had to get back home for dinner.

Since this was the "Day of Kate" you were in charge of dinner too. This time my mac-n-cheese loving girl picked, you guessed it, more mac-n-cheese! You had wanted to order Red Robin yet again, but we convinced you that Noodles and Co mac-n-cheese was a close second best.

Kate, you are such a beautiful soul. You have a curious and creative mind, impeccable attention to detail, and are by far the most organized and tidy child I have ever met. Everything in your room is neatly placed in the proper location, from your slippers placed in their spot on the floor next to your bed to your long line of stuffed animals outlining your wall. You know exactly where every thing is meant to go. 

You so very much want to be a big kid doing all the big kid stuff like your sister, watching scary-ish shows, singing along to popular music, riding in the car with no car seat, spending time out with friends. And while you crave these things, you also want to stay small, sleeping in your room with a parent, being carried around (alas I can no longer do this but your Pa still can), sitting on our laps like when you were little. 

Lucky for us you still love giving the best hugs and cannot get enough cuddles. You are such a big cuddle bug. Every night you ask for cuddles before bed and many a morning you wake up too early for the day, just to crawl in next to me to snuggle away in the wee morning hours.

Next to cuddles, cheese may be your absolute favorite thing. You simply cannot get enough of it. Considering you were dairy-free just a year ago, you've managed to become quite cheese-obsessed. You will squeal with delight just by opening the cheese drawer and laying your eyes on your favorites. 

You love being Sam's go-to-gal. You have worked so hard to become one of his preferred siblings. You are so sweet and attentive to him, helping him when he needs help, playing with him when we wants a playmate. He now asks for "hi" while pointing at you when he wants your attention. He still can't say "Kate" but hopefully soon he'll be belting out your name. And when that day comes, I can just imagine your shouts of delight that will ring out through the house.

You are our girly girl who loves to dress up. Why wear pants when you have a closet full of dresses for every occasion!?! You sure do love getting all dolled up.

 

While not a big fan of hair brushing, you love your long curly locks. In fact, you are determined to be the only curly haired person in the family! When Aria's and Cole's hair grew out revealing that they too had some curl, you were not at all impressed. I guess you're the only one allowed to have curls. And boy, you sure do! Rows and rows of beautiful ringlets. 

You are our uber-cautious kiddo. While everyone else acts before thinking, you are the great ponderer. Analyzing and overthinking most of your moves. While this keeps you protected, it also keeps you second-guessing your abilities. Like you are a great swimmer, but you don't think you can. You are good at math, but you think you will fail. I wish you would see how smart, strong and amazing you really are.

You are our silly, sweet-hearted little girl who is quickly growing up. Some days I look at this big kid and wonder just where my baby girl went. And then you do something silly with your big smile and boisterous laugh and I know that little babe of mine didn't go too far.

Kate, we are forever grateful to have been chosen as your family. Your beautiful smile, joyful giggle and ever-abundance of hugs fill our hearts. A very happy 8th Family Day to you! We love you forever and for always!