Thursday, May 28, 2015

Preschool Graduate

I'm feeling happy and so proud of Georgia, today she graduated from Preschool!  I remember her walking into her first day last year she didn't know anyone but was so excited she didn't even turn around to say goodbye to me.. she was ready.  This year has been so wonderful, her teacher, the class, everything.  Georgia loves school, I mean really, really loves school, on the weekends she asks when she gets to go back to school.

This week we've been talking about how this is her last week of preschool, ever!  The smile that happens each time this is discussed is priceless.  She has one question, when do I get to start Kindergarten?  She's a little bummed that she has to wait all summer before she can go but I've promised her we'll have fun.

Here are a few pictures of the graduate.

Can you tell she's excited?
 






 Best Buddies
Silly Faces

Michelle

Michelle Enebo was a total stranger who'd heard about Georgia when we were in the hospital a few weeks after transplant.  She got my email address from a friend whom she'd done family photos for and emailed me, offering to take pictures of Georgia.
Our first meeting was at Day +100, a big milestone in the transplant world.  She captured Georgia's lively spirit and sheer happiness.  I still look at those photos and just see her gleaming eyes and bright smile, not her balled head.
Over the years Michelle has reached out to offer more pictures, we've done one year post transplant and newborn photos for Leo.  Michelle's generosity is seen all around my house, she reminds me that amidst the chaos, Georgia was a happy baby, I am so grateful for these reminders.
Since meeting Georgia, Michelle became involved with Soulumination, giving her gifts to families during such difficult times.  Recently, I saw a comment she posted on Facebook, she'd had a Soulumination shoot that day and the family remarked that having pictures taken was the best and most normal thing they'd done in the hospital.  She was feeling grateful for giving them that and pictures of their child.  I commented on her post, letting her know that her photos are reminders of a happy Georgia during such a traumatic time.  A few minutes later Michelle sent me an email, she said it had been too long, that the kids are growing up so fast and that she'd love to take pictures... if I was interested.  I think my response was something like, Am I interested... YES!!!
We went to her studio about a week later and she did it again, she captured the sweetness and silliness of my kids in a way that you can literally feel.  Thank you again, Michelle!