My Valentine

 Nalah, you have taught me how to truly love and be loved. I did not understand unconditional love until my journey with you.  You taught me that I was capable of such love, and receiving the same.You gave so much to your family, more than we could ever give you. I will always be grateful. Each year I will proudly say that you, Nalah (with your sister of course) are My Valentine.

I love you more than I could ever express. My love for you is bigger than the universe, and I hope you can feel my love around you today, especially.

In this photo you are the spitting image of my first grade photo, my first day of school. I think it is quite sweet that we have a photo which shows the resemblance between us. I was fiddling with photos on my iPhone when you gave me this smile. I know you were posing. You never were shy for the camera, and I am glad we have 15,000 photos of you.  I am off to see Opa this morning. I know you are a special Valentine for him too. We all love and miss you today my girl. XXXXXXXXX

Easter at the Stollery, May 2009

Nalah in the pretty dress her Daddy bought her for Easter, when Nalah was about 8 months old. This was Nalah's first little dress and we adored putting it on her. I gave Nalah the fuzzy blankie which we thought was like spring grass at the park. Nalah could have sensory play on the blankie, while confined to her hospital bed.  We hid Easter baskets under Nalah's crib that year. Karis was particularly into 'ducks' that spring. I put the cutest little stuffed duck I could find in Karis' Easter basket. The first thing Karis did when she found her basket, was grab that duck, climb onto Nalah's crib and say she wanted to give this gift to her  baby sister. One of many acts of kindness I witnessed between them. Nalah was so tiny in these photos, she reached eleven pounds at one year. Tiny and sweet. Our Princess.