Happy 1st Birthday, Granty!

Today felt like one of "should've been".....Should've been a day of a grand celebration.  Should've been a chance for Alexa to help her baby brother rip open birthday presents.  Should've been the day that Granty had his first taste of dessert, covering himself in chocolate cake and icing from a Sprinkles cupcake.  Should've been a day to recount how quickly one year has gone by and how fast Granty is growing.  Instead, I think this was one of the saddest days of my life; thinking about all of the "should've been" made me miss Granty even more than normal.  It is crushing to think of the joy we had last June 3rd and know the focal point of that celebratory day has been taken away from us.

I don't think it was any coincidence that Alexa dragged a huge, floppy stuffed giraffe out of the playroom yesterday and toted it all evening.  She fell asleep with it, dragged it across the house when she came into our room in the middle of the night, brought it to the breakfast table...I know Alexa can sense our sadness, but I think she's equally as sad that her baby brother is not here to celebrate one of the most important things to her - - birthdays.

Despite the heavy hearts, Damon and I did what we could to honor and celebrate Granty on his birthday.  Damon was working tonight, so Alexa and I had a party to honor the birthday boy.  I picked up the birthday must-haves of a mylar balloon, Sprinkles cupcakes (the same ones we had on Alexa's first birthday) and, of course, a #1 candle.  After Alexa scarfed down her chicken and broccoli, it was time for the celebration.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to Granty two times, enabling Alexa to blow out the candle twice.  I started to tear-up on the second round of the song, and Alexa took one look at me and started to do the same.  This was not the first birthday party I envisioned, but I think we did a good job celebrating the birthday boy.  We will be celebrating on June 3rd for the rest of our lives....

Thank you for the support that was shown to us on this difficult day - - the e-mails, texts, phone calls, etc... were very much appreciated.  I am truly overwhelmed that so many people remembered the significance of the day.  Damon's friend Rich even ran the San Diego Rock-n-Roll marathon yesterday to honor Granty through Team-in-Training; pretty amazing.  Damon and I would be in a very different emotional place were it not for our family and friends.  We are blessed and honored that Granty's life meant so much to so many people.

Happy 1st Birthday, Granty!  Big sis was more than
willing to blow out the #1 candle in your honor.

Even Alstott joined in the celebration....probably hoping for a cupcake.

Alexa and her floppy giraffe friend - her constant companion lately. 

Papa and Nana Hovey along with Auntie Gia and cousins
Luke and Austin went to the cemetery to visit the birthday boy.