Missing his Mommy

Since we know things never go as planned with Brandi and Travis it was no surprise that Brandi was up all night sick the night before Tate’s 1st birthday. The morning of Tate’s birthday I got a phone call to go and watch the kids while she went to the doctor. I remember sitting on the couch holding Tate when Brandi walked in the front room. It was obvious she was in major pain and also obvious she was sad. She sat in the recliner and asked me to take Tate to her because she wanted to hold him before she went to the doctor, even though it was so hard to hold him since she was in so much pain. I set him on her lap and some tears ran down her cheeks as she said ‘Why today? Any other day, but not today.’ In the back of her head I think she knew it was bad and that she may not be with her birthday boy that day.

As we all know, Brandi ended up at the hospital with appendicitis and had to have surgery. I know this was so hard for you sis. You were so sad to not be with Tate that day. His 1st birthday was such a big deal for more reasons that one, and you were so excited to party with him all day. I spent the day with your kids and ended up at mom and dads for a sleepover since you were still in the hospital. Me, Lexi and Hunter decided that you would still want Tate to have a fun birthday so Grandma Trace got one of the Madagascar movies and we watched it all together. Tate loved it! I remember he giggled and danced through all the songs, especially at the end. The movie came with a little wig and after everyone had a turn with it we put it on Tate. After all, it was his party! To our surprise he kept it on and loved it. Our mini birthday party was so much fun, we knew that’s what you would want. As it got later though, Tate just wasn’t himself. He wasn’t crying or anything but it was obvious something was wrong. It continued in to the next day and I know what was wrong. He was missing his mommy. He had never been away from you longer than a couple hours, and it had been much longer that that. It was no secret to any of us that you were Tate’s favorite. We liked to think that he was just as happy with us, but he never was. If you were in the room, he always wanted you. So when you weren’t there I don’t think he really knew what to do with himself. You were just part of him, and he will always be part of you!