Happy Birthday, Declan!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

(Warning: Severe sappiness ahead!)

Happy Birthday, my sweet, evil, Monkey-Boy Kangaroo-B^tt Decky-Ducky-Doggie.

I remember like it was yesterday bringing you home, a ragged bundle of fear covered with every possible bodily effluent all tangled up in dirt and burrs, dropping you in the tub and soaping you up while you peered up at me with those big expressive eyes asking, "Is it okay? Is it okay?" Toweling you off and seeing your beautiful red curls for the first time while you stared wide-eyed at Lachlan and then up at me again, "Is it okay?"

The look on your big brother's face when I carried you through the front door brought tears to my eyes. It still does sometimes. He worshiped you the moment he first saw you, you know. He still does.

I remember that first night sitting at my computer and crying, wondering what what I'd done, terrified to let Lachlan play with you, and seeing those wonderful people at Doodlekisses tell me over and over again "It's okay, it's okay" until I could take a deep breath and let him loose to meet you, let him tell you himself "It's okay."

You two have been inseparable since that first night, so like brothers in all ways. You play together, argue together, gang up on me together, and tell each other that it's okay. Sometimes, when we do or see something new, you still ask me with those eyes, "Is it okay?" But sometimes now, when I'm tired or down or afraid, somehow it has become your turn and those eyes turn up to mine and say "It's okay, mama, it's okay."

Little big man, I don't wonder what I've done anymore. I can't imagine having not done it. You complete our family in more ways than I can describe and all I can say is, "Yeah, it's very okay."

Oh, and get outta the trash can!
 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lovely story! Happy Birthday Declan.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What a sweet tribute! Happy Birthday Declan!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DECLAN!!!!   so cute!!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I love happy sappy stories and this one is great. Happy Birthday Declan, you are definitely home where you belong.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Aw, Jen... you got me all teary.  Happy Birthday, Declan - what a happy story!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I so remember when you brought Declan home.....it was quite a Yappy Hour.   Somehow it always just felt to me like Declan belonged with you and Lachlan.  What a handsome big boy he has become.  Happy Birthday sweet boy!

[Camilla and Darwin]

What a wonderful post!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

What a beautiful tribute to Declan on his birthday.  One very much loved Doodle. Have a very Happy Birthday Declan.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Jen, what a nice birthday blog! I enjoyed every bit of the sap! Happy Birthday, Declan!