Willow Ann Donaldson - willowanndonaldson

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Willow Ann Donaldson

Willow came into this world as suddenly as she left it.  Arriving a month early, after only a few hours of labor and 2 good pushes she was born at 8:50 am on August 5th, 2007.  She weighed 6 pounds and 4 ounces.  We were so happy to finally meet her.  Being in a birth center we were home the same night and with no name.  It wasn't until two days later that Willow knew what she wanted her name to be.  As new parents we couldn't decide.  We took a suggestion and placed all of our choices into a hat and let Willow pick.  at first she picked two names, one of which was Willow, and we made her put them back and pick again.  On the second pick she picked Willow.  I decided she couldn't pick, since I thought she would be Savannah, so I picked and sure enough I picked Willow.  I thought I must have been too tired to be able to pick so I made Mike pick.  He also picked Willow.  It was fate, as a family we all picked Willow so Willow it was. 

She was such a happy baby.  She was great at all of the doctor visits, which were frequent and sometimes 3-4 times a week.  She even loved her medicine, which Mike being the taste tester thought was bitter, and took it with no problem.  She had her first hospital admission for dehydration the Thursday before the Superbowl.  She would go to the doctors and nurses without hesitation.  We came home that Saturday and she was great.  She started solids and started crawling that same week.

By May she was trying to pull herself up.  One Wednesday night in late May her best friend went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital.  Willow decided he shouldn't be alone and ended up there the following night for dehydration and was admitted to the room across the hall.  They were both little champs.  They played together for four days, with little casts covering their IVs, before coming home just in time for Memorial day. 

The summer was here, and things were great.  We spent the 4th of July weekend in Eagles Mere and Willow was in her first parade.  She loved the music.  We spent the days in the pool and the evenings in the hammock.  A few weeks later she took her first camping trip.  She loved having so much time outside. 

Before we knew it her first birthday had arrived.  We had a small family party on her actual birthday and a bigger party the following weekend in the park.  She had a great time despite the weather.  She loved dancing while we all sang Happy Birthday.  Her first word came on the ride home from her birthday party.  She looked next to her and said "baboon" while she pointed to all of the balloons we had squeezed into the car. 

Now it was time for her to walk.  She received a little red wagon for her birthday that she pushed all over the house.  Soon she had even learned how to walk backwards.  There was another camping trip over labor day weekend and again in mid September for apple picking.  By now she had at least a half a dozen words. 

At the end of September she underwent an endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.  All of the biopsies were normal and we finally felt like we could relax.  We knew that it would all be over once she grew a little bit bigger.  We were finally cleared from the Gastroenterologist with a clean bill of health.

To fill the time during the week we joined a swim class and a gym class.  She loved jumping in the water and even learned to put her head under.  We also became members of the Please Touch Museum and visited every week.  She had so much fun there. 

By now it was Halloween.  She was a kangaroo again.  Being on the small side she still fit into her costume from the year before.  Before we knew it Thanksgiving had arrived.  We spent the holiday in North Jersey with family.  By now she was really walking independently and getting into everything she could.  In the following few weeks we put up a Christmas tree and finished all of the Christmas shopping.

Christmas lasted about week in our house.  Since Grandma would be in Portland for the holiday we celebrated on Monday.  She loved opening her gifts.  On Christmas eve we had dinner with Mark and she opened more presents.  She loved her rock and ride pony so much we didn't think we would get her to go to bed.  She had a rough night that night and ended up in our bed.  She woke with a slight fever of 99.5 but was fine with a little Tylenol.  It seemed like yet another tooth.  Then on Christmas morning she opened more presents and we had breakfast with Grandpa, Grandma Val and Mark.  She loved coloring at her new table.  We made the trip up to Montclair and visited with the family.  She was still a little fussy, but was fine after a nap and some more Tylenol.  The following day we headed down to Pasadena to visit yet more family.  What should have taken about 3-4 hours lasted more like 6.  She did great in the car.  She danced in her car seat, which she loved to do, to her new CD from Santa.  When we finally arrived she was so happy to be out of the car.  She just wanted to play.  Her cousins would build a tower of blocks and she just loved to knock them over. 

I let her stay up late due to a late nap in the car and finally put her to bed around 10 or 10:15.  We went to bed around 11:15 or so.  By the time I checked on her before climbing into bed, it had already been to late.  911 was called and the paramedics came and took her to the hospital.  They tried everything they could until 1 in the morning. 

16 months, 21 days and 16 hours went by so quickly. 

We miss you and love you and will keep you in our hearts forever!

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Latest news

Everyone's help needed

We wanted to share the pictures we have of Willow with everyone.  We are planning to put together a memory book.  We are asking everybody to post or send us the pictures they have of Willow along with any memories or stories they would like to share with us.  The more memories and photos we have the better.  We don't want to forget a single moment of her short life.  To find out more about SUDC or to help please visit their website with the link provided below.

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Comments

10/20/2009 7:49:12 PM - 002094732533
Mike and Karen,
I am so sorry for your loss! I too lost my precious angel Calan Cameron, he was just 15 months. I just found out after almost 8 long years that it was too SUDC also. I know how hard it is, I feel your pain, i have shed your same tears, if you ever need someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen to your screams know that i am here! know that Willow and Calan are now are Calan are now our special angels in heaven watching over us!
love,
Mary
Mommy 2 Angel Calan Cameron
08/10/00~11/29/01
marymar0202@sbcglobal.net
8/2/2009 12:28:27 AM - 002081525820
Mike and Karen, I have to tell you what an honor it was to meet Willow. She will always be remembered forever. I loved her smile and the way she would dance to singing =) One thing I will tell you, that I've already shared with Lori, one night I was laying in bed it was kind of late and I felt a presence of a child not an adult. The presence of that child was about the size of Willow. I could've sworn it was her telling me she's alright and she's safe where she is. I just thought I'd share that with you both. As you know just because she's not here "physically" doesn't mean she's not with you. She was a very lucky little girl to have such great parents.
3/14/2009 2:24:03 AM - 002060667674
We remember meeting Willow for the first time. We were at Lori’s house for the girls’ birthday party and you walked up the stairs with Willow in your arms. I specifically remember turning to Brian and telling him she was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. It was a blessing to be in her presence and we looked forward to seeing you each time the family got together. I emailed a few pictures from that birthday to Willow's website. I hope it makes you smile.

You are always in our prayers. Thank you for sharing her life with us.
Love, Brigitte and Brian
3/3/2009 4:19:18 AM - 002059942993
Karen and Mike-- I felt I knew Willow through Mark. He would tell me about her antics and how delighted she was to see him and carry his keys around the house. My heart ached for you and Mike and when Mark told me what happened. I know the pain will never leave you but hopefully the good times will be uppermost in your minds. mark's mom
1/22/2009 7:54:33 PM - 000094531641
Wow! Thanks for sharing, this is very precious. We too met Willow when she was still in Mom's belly. I will never forget Willow muscling her way through Ewan and Oscar to get to the good toys. She was fearless, brave, and beautiful...
1/22/2009 3:40:58 AM - 002054748042
I am a parent, and I know a multitude of parents, but I don't know two people who are better parents than you. Again, I thank you for sharing your lives with us. Thank you for sharing Willow.
1/22/2009 3:01:38 AM - 002054847420

Karen and Mike,

Every child should be as lucky as Willow was to have two loving and adoring parents. Willow was the happiest little baby and toddler and that is a true testiment to the two of you and your parenting. Macie and I will cherish the little time that we were privledged to share with Willow. A fond memory that I will carry with me forever is when we were in visiting last summer and Karen filled the kiddy pool up too much for the two of us to move it, which we found so funny..... However, Willow and Macie could  have cared less and played happily in the water together. It was such a wonderful afternoon. I will also cherish our trip to Chestnut Hill in the fall when we were in for the trial. Our time with you and Willow brought peace and strength to me during a time that would have otherwise been too much to bare. I will always be grateful knowing her.  I love you both dearly. Willow will always be in our hearts. I will continue to pray for her and your strength. We miss you.

Love,

Cortney and Macie

1/21/2009 5:14:01 PM - 002054939182

Dear Karen & Mike:

We first met you two at a birthing class at the !  Our little ones were born just a few days apart during the hottest days of the year!  I remember meeting little as a newborn just as cute as could be.  She was so tiny and wonderful!  I’ll never forget seeing her nuzzled in Karen’s arms, happily sleeping in mommy's warm embrace!

When the kids were just a few months old, we had a play date with Bordy!  We lined the kids up in size order.  Little Bordy was first, in the middle, and Javier “The Tank” was on the end!  They were so adorable and I remember that day of sharing as new Moms fondly. 

You two brought a wonderful child into this world and you filled her days with love and understanding.  She was courageous and an absolute inspiration to us all.  Thank you for being such incredible parents to her and for sharing her life with all of us. 

I have added a photo of the 3 kids to Willow's site! 

With all my warmest thoughts and prayers,

Julia Rubio

1/20/2009 10:17:34 PM - 002054928353

You gave Willow an absolutely wonderful life.  She was blessed

to have you two as her parents because she was showered

in love.  If only all children could feel such warmth and affection.

We love you guys and Willow will always be in our prayers.  We

also pray for your strength, to get you through to the day,

in heaven, when you are reunited with Willow.

1/20/2009 9:01:28 PM - 001084872886
Thank you for sharing this with us.  The site & pictures are wonderful. Lovely tribute.
1/20/2009 2:25:43 PM - 002054722184
Thank you for sharing Willow with us.  I never had the chance to meet her, but I can tell she was a very happy little baby and was blessed to have parents like you and Mike. 
1/20/2009 2:14:11 PM - 002054422083

This is a beautiful tribute to Willow.  She was such a happy and beautiful little girl and we are so happy to have shared her life with her.  Thank you for sharing this with us and know we love you!  She is in our thoughts always!

 

Jamie, Joe and Cameron

1/20/2009 1:49:39 PM - 002054421789

Thank you so much for sharing Willow with us.  She has been a blessing, as her memory will continue to be. 

I shared a few extra-special moments with Willow at her 1st birthday party.  She allowed me to hoist her on my hip and carry her around the pavilion, introducing me to some of her favorite people.  She was captivating in her joy of the colored helium balloons that decorated the space, and she worked her teeth on the pendant of my necklace.

It is my hope that her sparkle with stay with you always.

Love and light to all.

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