Here are some new pics of my brother, Michael.They said he would be mildly vegetative and he is really showing how stubborn he can be right now. :) He is in a rehab hospital now and is starting to talk. He had his trach removed today, and they are going to work on weaning him off the feeding tube. He said the days of the week today, counted to 5, and did some work involving opposites. I'm so proud of him. Here is showing off his teeth. He had broken his jaw in the accident and had it wired for a few weeks. He is starting to look more like the Michael I remember.

Not a chico's kind of day...

Had a bummed kind of day today. Wishing I could see my brother. It's been over 2 years since I've seen him. I saw him just after the accident, but he was in a coma. But he is CA and I am in OR. And it's an expensive trip. But I'll figure something out. Paying bills is for suckas right?

And I am missing my dad. Always missing him. It's been 2 years since he's passed away. And I still have such a hard time with it. Maybe because I couldn't be with him? Damn bed rest. The short story is we went up to see him in the ICU, he was in a drug induced coma. The next day I went into labor at 32 weeks. So, I am admitted for a few days. During my stay, we decide to let him go. I was discharged and went home (3 hours away) to be on bed rest at home for 4 weeks. I got to tell him good-bye, but he was still in the coma. After they took him off everything, he came to sort of. But I didn't get to be with him.

Life is so crazy. I always imagined being with him at the end. I remember I would talk to him in my head from my bed at home. One night, I laid there crying and talking to him. I told him how much I loved him, and that it was okay if he wanted to let go. I told him what an awesome father he had become, and that I was proud that he was my dad. He passed away a few hours later.

He wasn't the best growing up. Although he always worked very hard to support us. But as he aged, he really became a great person. He apologized for the bad things, and really meant it. He cried with me, laughed with me. He loved to spy on the neighbors, and he loved soap operas. Pretty much any TV.

With him gone, I feel like I have no family. I am somewhat close with 2 of my sisters, but not very. I haven't really seen or talked to my brother or older sister since he passed away. And I chose to stop communication with my mom.

He would have loved Eleanor. He loved her before I ever got pregnant with her.

Sorry for the bummer post, but hey...this is my blog.

Here is an awesome picture of my brother and sister signing "I love you". He moves to a rehab facility this week. :)