Hi Kathe,

Reading your post made me cry, I too had the same
reflection on Michaels 3rd birthday, it was an
onslaught of tears and belly laughs! It is sometimes
surreal to think about these little people, the things
they have been through and the little people they are
becomming. I too marvel at the fact that there I was
2 weeks over due and completly unaware that my life
would change so drammatically, in comparrison to my
first my pregnancy Michaels was a cake walk, for
Stephen I was induced 3 weeks early due to pre
eclampsia and the delivery was hell, I was not sure I
would do it again. Michael's pregnancy and delivey
was beautiful, so different, I had no idea my life
would change so dramatically, relecting on it now is
strange. I know that since our lives have changed so
much good has come of it, I am a different person, I
see the world through different lenses. I don't know
that my post would have been the same even a year ago,
but something has happened, an acceptance, embracing
the situation instead of fighting it. I can say that
Michael is a handful, there are many days I look up
and beg for strength to just get through the day, but
at the same time I thank God that I have him to share
my days with. We've all come along way, when you
think of it, if someone told me I'd jab my son every
day I'd have thaught they were mental, but yet here I
am everyday. It is second nature, as is the
medications, the regular use of words I thought I'd
have to spend thousands for a degree to understand,
now they roll of my tounge as if second nature. I can
laugh at the little things, I can still hug a friend
who is a little dramatic about her childs routine
immunizations and can understand that before Michael I
was that mom. I thank God for Michael, for every
struggle, every tough lesson and the beautiful life he
is sharing with me. I also thank you all for the
same, support, friendship, understanding that we
share, even though we may have never spoken a word you
are all a part of our lives. Well, I better get on,
the boys are makeing a hammock with a bed sheet in the
yard, it is a beautiful day and I am glad to have the
day off to enjoy it. I do love you all and think of
you all often.

Love Karen

--- kathebarch@... wrote:

> Hello all,
> I do not write in often and wanted to say hello. 
> Isaac is 3 years old today.  It is a day of a lot of
> reflection for me.  We have come a long way in 3
> years.  3 years is so short for him but can feel
> like a long time at times to me.  He is such a
> beautiful child and mostly happy.  It was a crazy
> day 3 years ago.  I felt like it was going to be the
> day, but I was only 34.5 weeks along and was only
> dilated to 1cm and had not changed at all
> otherwise.  My husband and I went to our then 8 and
> 7 years olds t-ball game.  We were talking to some
> friends when my water broke.  I really wasn't
> embarrassed like people talk about (carrying a
> pickle jar to drop and other water breaking in
> public stories).  And along came Isaac, by
> c-section, and did very well for the first few
> days.  And the rest of the story led us here.  Thank
> you for being here, I do read every email.  I pray
> for every child out there that is suffering with a
> PFD.
> Kathe Barchus and Isaac, now 3!
>
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