My mind is all over the place… we had a fun, but busy weekend with friends visiting from Virginia. Sadly they left yesterday.
A shortened version of our story was published again – this time in the UK, with Belgium, Dutch, and Serbian papers picking it up so we’ve had quite a few international visitors. I’ve gotten some very sweet emails from some of these readers so if you are new to our blog today, welcome! Thank you for reading our story.
The biggest event of the weekend though was that Ryan quietly turned 3 on Sunday. Yay!! We celebrated by taking our friends to the Carnegie Natural History Museum and then hiring a sitter to watch the kids while we adults went out to eat for dinner – – – I know, big parenting fail, right? What other parents of a three-year-old miracle baby ignore the fact that it’s his birthday?!
In the spirit of transparency I’m confessing this parenting fail here. I tried to make it up to him on Monday by making him a cupcake version of one of his favorite television characters, but that turned into another fail. I’ll share about that in a moment, but first I want to say it’s important to share our failures as well as our triumphs.
If you’re new around here…. let me be the first to let you know that while we have a miracle boy, it’s not because we are the most wonderful people in the world, or because we are perfect parents, or perfect sisters, or did anything to deserve it. We have a miracle boy because for some reason, one we may never know or understand, our creator God chose to use our little boy as an example of His awesome power. It’s because of our weaknesses that He can show how mighty He is. If you’d like to know more about our faith, please click on the label “God” on the sidebar.
But back to the birthday cake failure I alluded to before. It is pictured here:
I made cute little Mickey Mouse cupcakes because Ryan loves Mickey Mouse. However, the cake that was supposed to be red is actually pink.
Ryan didn’t seem to notice. He ate the oreo ears and crumb topping without so much as a “why are the pants pink, mom?” Nope. None of the kids asked why Mickey’s bottom half was pink.
So Little Boy Blue is no longer two. He’s three. And quite happy about it. Tonight while I was putting him to sleep I asked him what song he wanted me to sing him. “to you, to you” he said. Without context I had no idea what he was talking about. “To you?” I asked giving him a puzzled look. “Happy,” he hinted. “Oh! Happy birthday to you?” I said. “Yes!” He exclaimed.
I sang him Happy Birthday. Twice. He smiled broadly the entire time. I’d say he’s caught onto this birthday thing.
Here are the girls cheering for Ryan while he blew out his candle.
Here’s the video version:
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (17)
So sweet…Happy Birthday Little Man!
What an amazing little boy you have! I’ve been following you for quite a while now, and to have watched the transformation of him has been just awesome.
Happy Birthday!
Steph
http://theferriegirls.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday, Henry V!!! We love you.
Wow…..THREE!?!?!?! I find that hard to believe! I still vividly remember his actual birth day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN!
Also, at least in the pictures, I think the cupcakes look red! Well done! Very cute!
Ummmm, so, yeah……just checking my news feed on Facebook. And an article from the Huffington Post was about Ryan! That’s awesome! You guys really are getting a lot of press 🙂 Very cool! So, when is that book coming out? 😉
Hey there! I just wrote you a email this morning. I also want to wish you on your website the very best and wish you many many best years!
The greetings from the Netherlands,
Jeffrey!
Happy birthday sweetheart! My goodness if I listed all my mommy failures I could turn it into a novel and a long one at that LOL. Sailor turns 3 May 7, which is also our 12 yr anni. I asked him last year if that meant we no longer get to celebrate us, he said “No babe, we will celebrate it again once she turns 18!!! Ummm he will be in his middle 60’s so I am think I am going to pick out his nursing home now!
Aww, Ryan’s story is on the front AOL pop up page!!
Holy smokes guys! I just saw you on AOL. Pictured popped up and I said hey I know that face! WOO HOO!
Happy 3rd Birthday to Ryan!!! I am a long time reader and comment occasionally. I check your blog almost everyday. I was surprised when I went to check my email and saw Ryan and Ainsly on my AOL Welcome screen! They looked adorable in the picture together. =)
Kristi, Castle Rock, CO
Just saw the news story on Ryan on AOL on the front page. I worked in the CICU when he was born (I was a nursing student and worked at a tech). I got to hold his hand shortly after he was born and I remember thinking…wow Im touching a miracle.
SO God Bless you and your family and HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/ryan-marquiss-boy-survives-with-heart-outside-body_n_1290118.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D137242
I’ve been a long time reader but very occassional commenter. Just wanted to say Happy Birthday,Ryan!
It was a kick to see your story on the Huffington Post today! Took me a minute as it was like “right person, wrong place” ha ha.
Hope you all have a blessed third year together!
Precious gift of God – each of our children with different stories, different gifts, different people to touch. I have two birthday girls this month. Mr. 1% – you go, boy!
Happy happy birthday Ryan! =]
Happy Birthday to your sweet little boy! Praise GOD for your amazing life.
My husband said I think the little boy you follow is on AOL.. I said huh the little boy.. I said My Ryan!!And jumped up to read the story of course I have read your blog for along time and I realized when I said My Ryan I do feel like he is a special little boy I revel in his triumphs and worry when he hits a bump in his road. I hope you dont mind that this grandmother considers Ryan and the girls a little part of my heart. Thank you for sharing your story…Jean
@ Jean: We welcome all the grandmothers we can get!!