Wednesday, July 22, 2009

3. It's the magic number.

Having traveled lately quite a bit, and when not traveling, being occupied with catching up due to travels- our communication has lacked. But we have had some great times this summer doing something infinitely more important than communicating…creating and living days that are worth communicating.

With that said, the following posts are some various thoughts and words from our world:
_________________________________________

(July 20)

He would be three today. Rather, he is three today.

This provides a great introduction to just the tip of the problems I have with wrapping my mind around the way I feel today. The way I will feel tomorrow. Next year, for that matter.

I don’t know what to think- or even what to think on. Most definitely do not understand how to prod my heart to feel. Not that it would matter. I certainly have learned that the heart makes a terrible student, but a great teacher. Ever illuminating the fact that walking through something never feels like you thought it would, and exposing foolishness at thinking you could fathom a path unwalked.

Ginny is better at marking these days than I am. She just goes about being his mom. Deliberating and decorating his headstone, whipping up cupcakes. Mom stuff.

For the most part, I pass time by attempting to decipher what I am feeling and comparing it to what I should be feeling. Although I am tempted to describe my current state as numbness. In fact, what I feel is the exact opposite.

I feel it all. From all directions. Happy. Sad. Celebratory. Fearful. And the list goes on.

Despite the illusionary wrestling match with proper feelings. It is always a good thing to remember. To intentionally go to breakfast at a place that holds special Eliot-meaning to Ginny & I, and to talk about our son. To take Hazel to Wilson Park where her big brother frequented. To pour a drink and watch video of our son.

Never sure what to feel, but certain of what to do: remember.

Thus, this day is different. Yet this day is no different.

Happy Birthday.

________________

Right before we headed to New York for the Today Show, we received notice that put the interview into proper perspective by trumping any New York news.

We are pregnant! We are thrilled.

Ginny is about 11 weeks along with a due date of February 7th. Lord willing, this child will be 16 months younger than Hazel.

No we will not find out if it’s a boy or girl. No we won’t tell you our potential names. Yes, we are those people.

In fact, we got to see this baby today via ultrasound. Amazing. Pretty much kicking, punching, and being awesome.

Ginny is sick but smiling. Three pregnancies in three years, and I must say, she has never been more beautiful.

44 comments:

The Mitchells said...

My heart is so happy. May God continue to bless you as only He can do. Our prayers are with you...all.

Mike Rusch said...

May God continue to bless you all...your lives are a true inspiration. Congratulations in so many ways.

Beth Goff said...

I am THRILLED for yall!

Jamie said...

Congratulations. :o) And Happy Birthday to Eliot. <3

christina said...

aaaahahhhhhhhh! chills. seriously.

travis was 16 months old when we had our cana.

These are tiny little things, yes...but i'm just adding to the list of "tiny little things" that connect us..at least in my mind. And i hope that is a comfort to you..that you all still bring me hope.

Beck said...

I am kvelling. My heart is just soaring for you guys. May God multiply your joy and magnify His goodness with #3. So, so happy and I only wish I could hug your necks right now!

RLR said...

Happy Birthday, Eliot! Best wishes as your family grows again!

mel @ the larson lingo said...

Happy Birthday Eliot and CONGRATULATIONS Matt & Ginny! Thrilled beyond words for you!

Hannah Elisabeth said...

Congrats you guys!!!! May God's love continue to surround your precious family with favor & blessings!

Anonymous said...

Happy 3rd Birthday Eliot and congratulations on your #3!!!

dai

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, My youngest 2 children are 16 months apart and it's just wonderful too see how much they absolutly adore each other, there is so much love in their tiny little eyes when they are together, I am amazed when they see each other in the morning the look on their faces is like they make each others day! Absolutly amazing, once again Congratulations and God Bless.

kmart13 said...

so happy for you! I love you all!

Laura said...

May the LORD continue to bless you. No words to even say cause I have never been in your place but our GOD has. I pray that his peace would sustain you in times ahead.

Mommy_of_YaDa said...

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet Eliot! I think of you often. Mooneys...what a bunch. I'm so happy to hear about baby # 3! Woohoo! Congrats and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!

Renda said...

I cant say anything that no one else has said. Thank you for being so open about this time in your life and how these times will reoccur through your life and the life of your kids.

I want to just say "Im praying for you," but what I feel is so much deeper than that. I find myself googling or bloging..or just walking in walmart and weeping because the hurt that your little family feels on and off.

There is this connection that we all have as "siblings" in Christ. When a member is hurting, the family knows.

I want to offer something great to your family, but all I have is prayer. How funny God is. Because I know in my heart that prayer and love are the greatest things you can give.

In love, I am praying for your present and future healing and experiences.

~Renda

Barbie @ Mamaology said...

Praise God! Our oldest are 17 months apart and bestest friends:).

Anonymous said...

Yay! Great thoughts, and great news! Eliot is not forgotten- always remembered and always part of this growing family! Congrats!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on the impending birth

Mandy said...

yea! so happy for you...you have so many fun days ahead--

Kyleigh Luder said...

My son Jacob's 1st birthday is tomorrow. I still have not brought myself to pick out anything for his grave. Reading all of this gives me strength to go out find something he would have liked.

I had never heard your family's story until this morning when someone on facebook posted Eliot's video. I feel that i was supposed to see it- He wanted me to see it. Thank you for sharing your life.
-Kyleigh Luder, Sparta, MO
kl0214046@otc.edu

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo, congratulations! Keep filling up that quiver with arrows Mooney family! What an amazing testament to God's love for us that you are celebrating the arrival of another child as you remember the amazing life of Eliot!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to Eliot and congratulations to you. February 7 is my son's birthday....a great day to be born. I will pray that Ginny and baby are happy and healthy. Wonderful news....God bless you all!

Anonymous said...

alles gute zum 3ten geburtstag eliot!

der herr segne deine Familie in den nächsten monaten...

Joy said...

Great job on the post, man :) So good to see the update, great to talk with you yesterday. Always love hearing you write with such vulnerability and honesty. Does all of our hearts good. And you're just being you, which is the coolest part. SO excited for you guys! Ginny is a rock star. I think you guys are quite awesome :)

Amy R. said...

Congratulations!!!

Matt and Jenny said...

Happy 3rd Eliot! Congrats on the pregnancy Matt and Ginny! We are thrilled for you! What a blessing. Thinking of you all! Matt and Jenny

Julie said...

Congratulations! I was one of those people too...did not find out the sex or announce any names. It was more fun that way.

Happy Birthday to Eliot and here's praying for an easy, healthy pregnancy.

JPTG said...

oh my!! no wonder your emotions are all over the place. What a "loaded" post! Continued wishes for all the best to you FIVE~ Eliot will surely continue to serve as #1 angel for his new brother or sister, and no doubt laughing and smiling for you- enjoying getting to know his or her soul before you even meet baby! Best of health to Ginny and new little one, enjoy the glow!

Allie said...

Congratulations!!! So happy for you and praying for a healthy delivery in Feb. 2010

Happy Birthday #3 sweet Eliot ... your 99 days here made a differance in my life :-).

Unknown said...

He is good, He is good! Congrats on your 3 precious babies and beautiful wife!!

The Davidson Den said...

Congratulations!!! I'm behind on my blog reading so I missed any info. you may have given about The Today Show. Wish I had caught it. Anyway, my prayers are with you guys.

Trisha Larson said...

I just have to tell you that seeing you on Oprah and The Today Show gave me a lot of hope. It's been almost 16 months since Nathan died. I never thought that I would be happy again. When I saw your faces on Oprah at Christmastime...they were happy. Authentically happy. I didn't know that was possible after losing a child. I wanted that but couldn't see it. I'm finding it now. I'm becoming happy again. Thank you for being God's light to help direct me.

I'm so happy to hear that you are pregnant again. We've been trying for over a year with no success. It's been hard that God keeps saying no. I have faith that someday He'll say yes. Until then, I'll rejoice that He said yes to you. Congrats!

Love,
Trisha

David Logsdon said...

My wife and I lost a boy - Jaxon - on Dec 17, 2006. He would be 3 this year also! He was still-born.Dr.'s weren't sure what the reason was but a few guesses - trisomy 13, trisomy 18, o trisomy 21. DNA test proved wrong on all three guesses. But your story reminded me very much of our struggle, victory and set-back. The year of 2006 was a long drawn out year for us knowing the fate of Jaxon. Our oldest daughter fought for her life all of 2006 battling a rare cancerous brain tumor (A.T.R.T). We brought her home from St. Jude's children's research hospital in the beginning of December in 06, so we could deliver Jaxon and bury him. May God bless you greatly and comfort you continually!

Amber@theRunaMuck said...

so good.

Your family blesses.

Melanie said...

Congratulations on your soon to be little one.
Happy Birthday Eliot!

angelabarton said...

Wonderful news for your family! Having two close in age is a fun and wild adventure!! Good luck! Mine are not quite 15 months apart, the little one came two weeks early, but you two are wonderful parents already. I watched you on The Today Show and it's so nice to see you "in person" on the TV, even though we've never met and we live hundreds of miles apart. Best of luck and love as you embark on another wonderful and amazing journey.

Angela Barton

Kristi T. said...

Matt & Ginny,
I know that Eliot and Kinsey celebrated their birthdays together this week...and Grayson was there with them. I can just feel it. Know that I think about Eliot alot, he helped to give us strength and to know what to expect with GrayMan.
Believe me, I know what you are feeling this week...all too well. This week has been very emotional and very hard to deal with, but I do know that our babies are somewhere they never want to leave. I hope you received my last email about Grayson, we were so blessed to have 5 days. We wanted more...lots more, but God and Gray had other plans. Congratulations to you both on the pregnancy. God be with you all, and I will pray for nothing but good things. I have had 2 pregnancys in 2 years, so I can empathize. I pray one day we can experience a "normal pregnancy and delivery". Taylor and I do hope to meet y'all sometime when we get to Fayetteville.
Take care and
Godspeed.
Kristi
(Mama to Kinsey and Grayson)

Anonymous said...

I don't know if you read all these but I found your video very heartfelt and know one can watch it without crying. That's ok. I am mother of 10 and grandmother of 13....3 in heaven. Love in Christ.

Erin from NY said...

Oh matt and ginny i am soooo happy for you!! You guys deserve all the happiness in the world. I cant believe its been 3 years since little Elliot was born. He touched my life in so many ways, YOU all touched my life in so many ways and i think of you all of the time. Congrats!

Stephanie said...

Your entire family is in our prayers. Praise Jesus for all he has done for you and will continue to do!

Unknown said...

Even on the other side of the world (holland) your beautiful tribute to Eliot is known. I was heart broken but inspired by your strengt!I'm sure he is with you always.
You deserve the best, and this is wonderfull news.
Trough all the sickness I hope you enjoy your prenancy!

Ashley said...

Happy (Late) birthday to sweet Eliot. My son Ryan Christopher was born with Trisomy 18 as well on August 21, 2008. He lived only four days. I love reading this blog. Ryan has a blog www.angelryanchristopher.blogspot.com if you would like to read his story. I am expecting our third boy February 2nd! Best of wishes with your third as well! Love, Ashley

Katie C. said...

That was my due date. February 7th. 3 months ago to this day, I found out that my baby's heart had stopped beating at 10 weeks of gestation...

I think losing a child at any point is the most horrible, empty feeling... but just reading your blog, and seeing how strong you are after losing your son... I feel renewed. With hope.

I am praying that you make it through to your due date! It will be a joyous day for you I am sure! And a little reminder to me of the day my baby would have been born.

God bless you! You are amazing, and I am so happy I found your blog. You give hope and inspiration to others who have lost someone. Thank you for that hope!