I absolutely adore Rattie....even when she is having a crap day of her own she makes time to listen to me and be supportive. She is non-judgemental and inspirational. I am thankful to have her in my life.

Sometimes you meet someone that really represents something. They hold something important and they dont let circumstances lessen that importance. They stay true to themselves and their convictions. You actually find that these people are as strong as they seem. Especially when that strength is needed most. They have an almost offhand courage that totally belies whatever terror they might be feeling. And even at the times when they're most scared you realize they're doing their best to reassure you. This is my Ratty.
The picture of her above was from our wedding day. I've never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life. She was radiant. Not many things have ever rendered me speechless. Watching her come to me that day was one of them.
Little did we know that within 6 months of that picture being taken we would be completely engulfed in the toughest fight we'd ever faced .
Pre-eclampsia, low fluid volume in the womb, the medical problems kept adding up. Not only did this threaten our child but as her blood pressure soared it began to threaten her as well. There was a cure for this condition we found out. That was to deliver the baby. The problem was this was 23 weeks into gestation and there was no way this child would survive. I told her and the doctors, and I meant it, that if the choice were between her and the child to save her at all costs. I've never had to make a choice like that before and to state it in such a final binding manner.
Watching her grim determination to keep this child inside of her was inspiring. She suffered headaches and nausea. She gained 75lbs of waterweight due to this condition. When she was informed that the delivery when it happened was going to be a C section, and not only that but a traditional one with both cuts and the corresponding scars her reply was "Oh well. There goes my career as a swimsuit model". I hope that if I'm ever tested I'm half that brave.
She managed to keep that baby inside her growing and developing for over two more weeks until the placenta tore triggering labor. We were convinced that a vaginal delivery was going to be fatal for the child but at that point there was no other choice. He was coming ready or not.
It happened so fast there was no time for the epidural. She went through this labor completely awake and aware. I have nothing but respect for the way she handled such obvious pain especially on top of the fear we had concerning such a premature birth. Gestation is normally 40 weeks give or take. This was week 25, day three. He was one pound, four ounces.
Our son Conor Michael was born that day and astounded the medical staff from the moment of his birth. We were at the hospital every day for the next three and a half months while he battled everything from infections to a broken leg. He obviously has the strength of his mother deep in him because at this writing he's a few months away from turning two years old. He's running and climbing, says a few words, can sit down when you tell him to and will give you big open mouthed smooches if you ask for one. He loves smackers and shmilk and Elmo.
And he has his mothers eyes.