Five years ago today, we were peacefully sleeping when our friend Jim called. Cecily woke up, took the call. I went to the bathroom. After she hung up, she said, "Charlie, something's wrong!" She was bleeding, badly. With only days until a scheduled induction, we knew this was not good. Most of you already know the story. You know about Cecily's placental abruption, the quick home ultrasound to check Tori's heartbeat, the mad drive to the hospital, and the emergency C-section that brought Tori into this world.
But on this day, Tori's birthday, I always pause for a moment of gratitude at our incredible good fortune. That our baby girl made it thru. And that she has grown into a smart, fierce, and loving child.
So Happy Birthday, Tori! You are what tethers me to all that is good in this life.
I love you.
Happy birthday Tori! Amazing photos too. :)
Posted by: Elise | June 07, 2011 at 10:06 AM
Beautiful tribute to one special little lady. So much to be grateful for! Think of all the what-if's that had to fit together that night: What if your friend hadn't called to wake Cecily up, or the car hadn't started, or the ER team hadn't been in top form, or Tori hadn't been so fiercely determined to meet this world head-on and conquer it. Bless her, and bless you all.
Posted by: trainwatcher | June 08, 2011 at 05:16 AM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: scott newport | June 08, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Bob - We'll never forget our friend Jim for saving Tori. He's at our table EVERY Christmas dinner. (He also makes the best mashed potatoes ever.) We were also lucky Cecily's OB was in that day. He wasn't scheduled to be there but was in the building. And yeh, I must've run a dozen red lights w/o incident (including as I recall, 30th Street, where I went thru the red with the horn blasting). lol.
Posted by: Charlie | June 08, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Wow, I did not know that story. I knew about the twins, but not that Tori's birth was so frightening.
She's a beautiful little girl--she looks like her daddy and has since day one.
Happy Birthday, Tori!
Jules
Posted by: sparkly jules | June 09, 2011 at 09:30 PM
June is the best month to be born in, methinks.
(June 24th here)
Blessings for Tori to have an amazing year.
Posted by: Nikki | June 10, 2011 at 12:47 AM
I was reading Cecily's blog on that day. I found your blog through hers.
Tori is such a beautiful child and I always love to see her pictures. Thank you both for sharing her. I am certainly enjoying watching her grow!
Hope her birthday was wonderful!
Posted by: Melissa in TN | June 10, 2011 at 08:40 PM
I know that I'm waaay late to the game, but I've only just found this blog through a link from Cecily, whom I've known since way before Tori was born. All that being said, you two make a very beautiful child! And you are an awesome writer or I wouldn't have read my way through the rest of your posts back to this one. Glad I found your blog. I've followed you on FB for a long time.
Posted by: Shelli | July 10, 2011 at 06:41 PM