Brave
Maddie was in the NICU over Christmas, but that didn’t stop anyone from giving her presents. My brother Kyle gave Maddie a great shirt. It was HUGE on her at the time (size 3-6 months when she was swimming in preemie clothes) but we made it work. The nurses and the other parents in the NICU LOOOOVED it.
I know, right? So freaking cute and awesome.
When Mike, Maddie, and I went up to the Bay Area over the 4th of July, Maddie and I spent a lot of time with Jackie! I gave Jackie! a bunch of stuff – my wig collection, a bedazzled bandana (YES), the shirt she wore on Sunday, and one special thing. It was Maddie’s idea, actually. She wanted Jackie! to have her “I’m Brave” shirt. It had brought her so much luck, she wanted Jackie! to have it.
Early this evening, my phone beeped with a picture message. I downloaded it and saw this:
Along with the following message: Jackie says she loves you…and thanks Maddie for the shirt. Thank you for being such a great friend to her. And thank Maddie for being such a great role model.
I don’t know what got me more – my daughter’s shirt with my incredibly brave friend, or the smile on her face. Hmm…definitely the smile.
Her sisters updated all of us again to say that Jackie!, while extremely tired, is in great spirits. While she laid in recovery, she chanted our alma mater’s fight song. She made joke’s about her hair line being shaved a la Queen Elizabeth I. She has a long road ahead, but she’s already off to a great start.
Another friend of mine, Kim (a former roommate of mine and Jackie!’s) went into labor on Sunday night over four weeks early. After dilating to six inches, things stalled, so Kim had a C-Section today just before 7 pm. Her beautiful daughter Catie was born weighing 6lbs, 4oz and 18 inches (she’s almost as tall as her mom already!). The same day Jackie! had her tumor removed, Catie joined the world.
Life.
Mr Lady says:
Life, indeed. PS? My daughter was only 10 days early and weighed less than baby Catie. My son was a week late and weighed less than baby Catie. Let her parents know that. She’s in good shape.
Mr Ladys last blog post..I Really Think I May Have Actually Left My Heart In San Francisco
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Rebecca says:
The brave shirt is very very cool – on both of them. Jackie!’s smile almost made me cry. What a brave woman indeed.
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Quart says:
That picture is fantastic!! Can we all please come to Jackie!’s next celebratory party. She is my freaking hero.
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sam (temptingmama) says:
Those pictures brought tears to my eyes!
Jackie! smiling after brain surgery, I can’t believe it. She’s got some much light and beauty, she’s shining so brightly!
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Middle-Aged-Woman says:
I think that makes Catie the Anti-Turk.
Middle-Aged-Womans last blog post..Mary K. is the Shit!
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Bridget says:
Great smile, indeed! Glad all’s going well!
Bridgets last blog post..Happy Birthday to You, Emmie!
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Fiesty Charlie says:
I am so glad you have such news… The more you tell us about Jackie and Maddie the more I would like to meet them.
NO, I am not a weird stalker chic, just always in the mood to meet really GREAT people.
You are a great friend and your blog always touches my heart.
Fiesty Charlies last blog post..No Need For Bail Money…
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mrs. chicken says:
Granted, I’m a wee bit hormonal, but this made me cry.
One of my best freinds’ sisters had a baby at the EXACT SAME TIME, literally, that my father died.
Makes you think.
mrs. chickens last blog post..Out Of It
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ali says:
Heather…i LOVE this post. it’s so beautiful. the shirt? amazing! the photo of Jackie smiling! your friend having a baby the same day! *weeping*
alis last blog post..this week i will…
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Midwest Mommy says:
Thank you for the pic! She looks awesome!
I don’t even look that good in the morning and I didn’t have 8 hours of surgery
Midwest Mommys last blog post..What do you DO all day?
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Christy says:
Absolutely amazing, awesome, beautiful! I’m so happy for her–for everyone! Thank you for the update.
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Z says:
WOW – two such amazingly brave women (or will-someday-be-a-woman, in Maddie’s case) – and now a third! Life… Truly…
Zs last blog post..Public Service Announcement
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anna says:
Thanks for starting my day at work on a great note. Here’s to health and happiness!
annas last blog post..Good thoughts
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Maria says:
Oh man I was not equipped for this post this morning. Crying at my desk! Yikes.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t think of anything more touching and wonderful than that picture of Jackie with Maddie’s shirt and that beautiful smile.
All these brave wonderful women. You guys are amazing.
Marias last blog post..swelling with pride. or something.
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Memphislis says:
Go Jackie! go!!
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maya says:
OH joy! I am so glad htings worked out well for jackie and baby katie! What a BEAUTIFUL picture. I love how jackie is smiling. What an amazing woman.
mayas last blog post..Celebs
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CaraBee says:
The picture of Maddie is heartbreakingly sweet. And that smile on Jackie! is just spectacular. You do have some brave ladies in your life. Count yourself among them.
CaraBees last blog post..Touching Down
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Andrea's Sweet Life says:
BRAVE, indeed, both of them. And little Catie gets to join right in.
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Shauna says:
I love that shirt so much- what a perfect gift for a NICU baby. And what a perfect thing to send to Jackie. I can’t believe she’s already talking and smiling! I clearly know nothing about such things, but I was picturing that taking at least a few days to happen. She looks great. Like you said, she’s got a long road ahead of her, but now she’s closer to being done with it than she was! I’m so glad things went well.
Shaunas last blog post..Weekend away
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Becky says:
Very, very brave.
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preTzel says:
I think a shirt should be made with a picture of Maddie and Jackie! together on it and underneath the words on that shirt in the picture above should be under the picture and also the words “Two female heroes.”
It’s great to see that picture of Jackie! smiling and you can tell that she has a fighting spirit. Go Jackie! Go!
preTzel
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Jen says:
Yay for Jackie! I’m so glad her surgery was a success and I wish her the best of health for her long future.
Dang…your friend’s baby was a month early and was over 6lbs? Sounds like a good thing she was born early!! YIKES!
Jens last blog post..Some new pics
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Headless Mom says:
Love her smile!
And Maddie’s preciousness.
Good stuff all around.
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mandy says:
rock on, jackie!!!!
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Bonnie says:
Glad to hear Jackie is doing well. How can she be any better off, now that she has Maddie’s good luck shirt?
Bonnies last blog post..Sibling rivalry
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Daddy Dan says:
It’s so nice to see her smiling like that so soon after brain surgery! Wow! I think that’s a very good sign.
Daddy Dans last blog post..I Need Your Help: Best Songs For a Toddler Slideshow
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Susie says:
Wonderful news!
Susies last blog post..My Wild Adventures: The College Series
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Danielle says:
You and your frickin’ friends better stop making me cry!!! I swear. I can’t come here anymore without Kleenex. Or without leaving super inspired and grateful and in awe of the strength of the women around you.
Yay! Jackie!!
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Amy says:
Ok, that made me cry too, and like you at first wasn’t sure if it was the shirt or the smile, a little of both I think!
I am so happy to see Jackie! smiling! What a beautiful thing!
Congrats on your friend’s new baby! And WOW 6lbs….over FOUR weeks early! Yikes that would have been one big baby full term!!!
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merlotmom says:
Damn, you’re really tugging at my heart strings. I’m thrilled for both of your friends. And they’re lucky to have you. (Btw, your story is so emotional it made the earth move! Californians will understand).
merlotmoms last blog post..You Kiss Your Children With That Mouth?
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Molly says:
So happy to hear the good news and I hope that Jackie! just goes from strength to strength.
Mollys last blog post..Mommy of the Year?
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AMomTwoBoys says:
Dude. Who looks that good after brain surgery? For crying out loud.
I’m totally late to the party because I read your email first thing and then when my sister said “Did you see “The Spohrs are Multiplying” post about Jackie! and the t-shirt?!” I was all “Yeah”. BUT I hadn’t. I’d only pictured it in my mind. I’m insane.
So HAPPY Jackie! is doing so well.
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..Let’s Talk About VD
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Zellmer says:
Tears just shot out of my eyes, and I’m neither hormonal nor a friend of Jackie!
I think it was her smile. A very triumphant smile it is.
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anymommy says:
Wow. Fantastic news. Keep it up Jackie! And welcome baby Catie. Life pretty much says it all.
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Mama Ginger Tree says:
I’ve only lurked on your blog before, but that photo made me cry. Seriously. I’ve followed Jackie’s story through your blog. She is radiant even after brain surgery. Wow.
My twins were only two weeks early when they were born at 5 lbs each. I was almost scared of them they seemed so little. I can only imagine what you went through with your daughter. You and Maddie are brave.
Mama Ginger Trees last blog post..Happy Anniversary Squared
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Yo says:
beautiful. WONDERFUL.
Yos last blog post..you can tell a wine by its label
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Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children says:
Awesome.
Jackie! looks great! Brain surgery and looking that good.
Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for childrens last blog post..Means to an end
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Kristin says:
What a great photo of Jackie! And oh Miz Maddie. Even when sick she is the CUTEST.
Thinking good things for baby Catie. Big girl for 4 weeks early! Izzie was only 5 lbs 3 oz at 38 1/2 weeks, so she’s doing good!
Kristins last blog post..Happy Things
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andi says:
I can’t believe Jackie! is still smiling. She is my hero. I’m so glad it all went well.
And I can’t believe the early baby already weighed that much! Looks like your week is starting to turn around my friend – now all we have to do is tell the universe to stop sending you bloody earthquakes. Seriously, WTF?
andis last blog post..Perceptions and personal responsibility
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Musings of a Housewife says:
I’m SO glad your friend’s surgery went well. I’ve been following her story for a few days. Found you from Fussypants’ tweet a few nights ago!
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Anissa@Hope4Peyton says:
Jackie! is a rock star, that’s awesome news about the resection of her tumor. Give her lots of hugs from strangers and let her know there’s lots of prayers coming her way.
Anissa@Hope4Peytons last blog post..The One Where I Write My Own Eulogy
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LifeAsIKnowIt says:
Beautiful. I found you through Mrs. Chicken’s shared items…hoping your friend recovers well and soon…
LifeAsIKnowIts last blog post..What They Don’t Tell You About Crackbook
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Shamelessly Sassy says:
That’s so amazing.
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Jackie says:
I love you SOOO much!
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