Today Abigail competed in the little "Tiny Tots Baby Pageant" for two year olds at the county fair. I really had little desire for her to "win." I was more excited about having her picture in the paper for her scrapbook. I also thought it would be good for her to compete in something that required patience and following the rules. I thought that getting on a stage in front of an entire theater full of strangers and talking into a microphone would be a great learning experience for her. However, after she placed second I was so proud!!!!!
After everything she went through as a baby with hemangiomas on her lower face, lips, mouth, and airway there were many sleepless nights spent worrying if our daughter would ever function or look like other kids. Would she be mercilessly persecuted by other kids for having giant red and purple marks on her face? Would she be forever scarred physically and emotionally from her hemangiomas? Its quite clear that now the answer is absolutely no!!!!!
Our little girl has overcome so much already at such an early age which makes her a true winner forever! However, I guess for me, today having our baby girl place second in a baby pageant showed me that the hemangioma chapter of our lives is over forever. I felt as if today was a testament to the absolute end of one chapter and beginning of another not only for Abigail but for our family. There is much hope after hemangiomas and Abigail is living proof. Today, that tiny, purple lipped baby who couldn't eat or even breathe is an incredibly advanced, beautiful, smart, and charming little baby-pageant winner!! What a journey it has been!
note: just in case you're concerned, we are not going to be "pageant people" now. It was just for fun and experience.
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