I don’t think our family has enjoyed itself more celebrating Rudy’s birthday this year. The Heart Walk was such fun because it demonstrated the community that has surrounded us. To give an idea, we bought sixty Rudy-Blue balloons to hand out to our walkers…and we ran out! After all the activity on Saturday, Rudy’s actual birthday passed rather uneventfully. As the schedule turns out, Rudy doesn’t have school on Mondays which serves him well as he usually sleeps in after weekends full of sibling fun.
It had all the makings of an uneventful, mellow day (and pretty much was) save for the last-minute call for his monthly visit to the lab. Turns out the only phlebotomist who can get to his veins was in so they called to get it in. I guess the birthday treat is that it only took her one stick, but I’m not sure Rudy saw the upside.
- Our beautiful baby boy
Amidst all the activity that goes into celebrating Rudy’s birthday (it always falls on a really big week for us with the Heart Walk and the Rescue Mission’s “Back to the Bayou” Benefit), I try to take some time to go back four years into the blog posts to get a reminder of how far he’s come. Amazing how quickly all the emotions of the first week of his life can come back. (If you’re interested in walking down memory lane, click here) Forgive me in advance if we publish a few more looks back this week. The memories of it all (especially surgery day) are so visceral that even now they require some processing. Rudy’s come a long way and we’re so glad for the many people who have walked with us–whether you were there from the beginning or joined us later on.
The emotions of his diagnosis and birth were evoked even more yesterday as we learned the story of Greg and Kara Olsen of the Carolina Panthers who are right where we were four years ago. Praying for them as they walk the HLHS journey. You can watch their story here: video-heart-of-the-matter
Rudy's Beat 
Happy Birthday dear sweet Miracle Boy! xoxo
Rudy and the family are such inspiritations, I hope the Olsen’s get connected to your blog and give them more hope. As always the Geylings are a blessing to so many.
Love you sweet boy, no the lab draw was no fun on your B day.
Too bad you dont like lollipops as a treat!!! Thats good stuff.
Happy Birthday !!!!
I can only imagine how visceral those memories are and how much processing there still is to do. But you have lived a whole series of miracles in these four years and your boy is beautiful, funny, learning and growing despite all the difficulties he has endured. Amazing. Praying for continuing miracles over the next four years.
Happy Fourth Birthday Dear Rudy! xoxo The Borkovich Family
Happy belated Birthday, Rudy….I love you and miss you.
Christy, yur “LaLa”!
Rudy, I don’t like those blood tests either. It is okay to cry! You certainly have reason to do so. It is good you have mommie to hold you tight. Hang in there–both of you!