Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Little Markie Pictures

Daddy and Markie

Uncle Max and Little Markie
Max says he will be on skates by the time he is 2


Unlce Matthew and Little Markie
Let's See Uncle Matt and Little Markie racing cars!

M
Mommy and Little Markie
What a cute little face!!!!


Nana and Little Markie
I can't tell you how happy holding this little guy in my arms makes me feel. He has brought so much love and happiness to our family. He is truly a blessing!
Enjoy the moments!
love,
Debbie





Wednesday, April 21, 2010

What's Happening!!

Well where do I begin. I have been busy, doing what I don't know. Each day I feel like I'm doing the same old thing and that drives me crazy! Get up, go to the office, come home, do laundry and cook dinner, watch TV, go to bed and then start all over again the next day. Boring and not the way I want to live life.

This experience has taught me some lessons. Live life as through its your last day. Enjoy each and every moment. I try to enjoy moments each day but how do you enjoy laundry, cooking dinner and cleaning. Well I guess that's life. I try to enjoy my moments on the weekend especially when I get to go to the trailer. This last weekend we went up on Saturday morning early. It was absolutely beautiful there. The weather was about 75 degrees. We went to a birthday party that afternoon for Jerry who turned 50. The best part was Jerry is a musician and he brought together his old band from 30 years old to play together. It was a great moment to watch these 50 year old men play to their hearts content. As I listened I watched their faces and how happy that moment was for them. I have to say it brought tears to my eyes to know that they were enjoying that moment together playing and singing for us. Thanks Jerry for that special moment!!

This weekend I get to watch Little Markie on Saturday night. I only get to see him about once a week. So Saturday will be a moment I will enjoy. Erin is doing great and so is Little Markie. He goes to the doctor for the first time tomorrow and we will see how much he weighs. Mark is guessing about 8 to 8 1/2 pounds. He is sooooo cute but then again I'm his Nana and what else would I say. I look forward to many more days spending time with him making moments to remember.

Update on the headstone. It's getting closer. I received a call yesterday from Beverly at Bras and Mattos Monuments and she said the engraving is being done now. The installation will be within the next few weeks. I'm hoping before Mother's Day. After installation we will hold a small memorial at the grave site with my family and Evelyn's. It will definitely be a moment that takes my breath away! I have dreamed of this day for so long and I can't believe its finally here. I thank all my family and friends for making this moment come true.

I am so excited. I was asked by my onogolist, Dr. Akthar, to participate in a fundraiser for the American Heart Association Red Dress Campaign. It will be held on May 7th. I will get to have my makeup done and a new red dress from Banana Republic. I will be speaking about my story and that makes me feel so good. I have wanted to share my story with the public and have sent many emails to my local newspaper and even Oparh. No one has responded back, so maybe this is a way to get the word out. It's a great cause and I'm happy to help.

Well I need to run. Off to the gym and then to lunch with a client in San Francisco. I'm glad I get to see my clients from time to time.

Have a wonderful weekend and make memories that take your breath away. Sorry I don't have photos of me and Little Markie but I don't have my camera right now. Maybe I can get some this weekend to share.

Love,
Debbie

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Mark Aaron Douglas

MARK AARON DOUGLAS
BORN APRIL 6, 2010 AT 9:54AM
7 POUNDS 15 OUNCES
21 INCHES LONG

DADDY AND LITTLE MARKIE

GO SHARKS!!!!


THE NEXT JOE THRONTON IN THE MAKING

Wow what a week it has been! Seeing my grand child for the first time was a moment that took my breath away. I don't think there could or will be another moment like this. I will cherish it forever!
Mom and baby are doing great. Erin is a wonderful Mom and I can already tell that little guy thinks she is "special" and so do we. It's so cute how he looks for her when he hears her voice. It is so amazing to watch. To see the love in her eyes for this little person takes my breath away.
As for my son, seeing him as a father was the proudest moment in my life. I felt so proud to be his Mom and experience this moment with him. He is so happy to have Markie here. He looks forward to those moments he will spend with his son at Home Depot, planting in the garden and of course going to a Sharks game. He will be a wonderful Dad!!!
To hear myself say to Little Markie, "Hi Sweetie, it's Nana" was so awesome. For years I have dreamed of becoming a grandma or to be called "Nana". Finally that moment is here. When I look into his eyes I think about how much my life means now. A year and half ago if it wasn't for my family, friends, doctors, my donor Jazmin and her family I would not have been here to experience this moment. I thank God for the blessings in my life and for my grandson Mark. I know what life is about. It's about living and enjoying each and every moment you have on this earth. So enjoy life! I plan to spend as much time making moments that take my breath away with my family and friends.
Enjoy this moment!!
Love,
Debbie

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Just Call Me "Nana"

My little grandson was born this morning at 9:54AM. He weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and measured 21 inches long. His name is Mark Aaron Douglas. He is absolutely beautiful!!

My wish came true today! A year and half ago, I met with the heart transplant doctors to find out I needed a new heart or I would die in 30 days. Some of you might not have known this fact but I had only 30 days to live. Thank God and thank you to my donor family and Jazmin for saving my life and giving me this moment. Without them I would not be here to celebrate these moments in time.

Tonight I went to the hospital for a quick visit and got to hold Little Markie for the first time. But first the moment that took my breath away was walking into the room and seeing my oldest son, Mark, holding his son in his arms. What a moment! To hold little Markie in my arms made me feel "FREE". I felt like a hundred pounds was lifted off my shoulders. I feel so good inside.

I want to thank my daughter, Erin for the beautiful grandson. She did so good today. She started her contractions about 5 this morning and had little Markie just before 10:00AM. She was amazing! I quickly said to her "you did so well, when is the next one coming". Just kidding!
I want to enjoy Little Markie and make moments with him.

I will have pictures to share as soon as I get my camera back from Mark. I got to the hospital and Mark said he forgot the camera in the car. I said "Here's my camera". So I have to wait and get pictures then. Oh but I heard my sister, Kathy has already posted his picture on her facebook. Thanks sissy for doing that! I know there are so many people (friends and family) that have waited for this moment. Everyone knew how important this was for me! I remember being taken to the operating room the night I had my heart transplant and telling the doctors to just keep me alive long enough to be a "grandma". Thank you to those doctors at Kaiser and Stanford for saving my life!!

This is the most wonderful day of my life and one I will never forget.

Love,
Debbie