So many of the people that we love dearest are at the Calcutta for Bella right at this moment.  I am so sad that we can't be there with them.  And, no, it is not just because they are drinking and I am not.  I just skyped the party, and it blew my mind to see everyone who was there.  People from every corner of our lives:  family, rugby, Fairfax, Fletcher, school, Essex, high school, and more.  Plus wonderful people that I have never even met, but whose lives have been touched by my amazing and beautiful daughter.  And people who drove for hours just to be there:  John and Adam, thank you.  This truly goes to show how loved Bella is, and how she has touched the lives of so many people.  She is such an inspiring little girl who has been through so much over the past 16 months, more than most of us have to go through in a lifetime.  Steve, Adeline, Lily and I are so lucky to have her in our family, and we are so blessed by her smile every day (even on these days when the smiles are so few and far between).  She will forever be an inspiration to us, and we will hopefully look back on this time as a challenging time, but one that is a distant memory.  Though the transplant and associated events have been trying for us as a family, we know that Isabella will now be able to lead a happy, healthy, and much more enjoyable life because of it.  She will be able to grow old, and eat bacon and peanut butter (not necessarily together). 
Thank you again to all of you who have supported us in so many ways during this journey.  No matter what form your support is given, it is appreciated more than you will ever know.  The funds that we are raising from this calcutta will be able to support Bella's care not just in the present, but hopefully they will be able to help with her medical costs as she grows up.  She will always need to be followed here in Pittsburgh, and it will be so much easier for her and our family thanks to YOU. 
Although Isabella did fall asleep during her Skype broadcast to the calcutta, she was excited to see you all there.  I guess two rounds of physical therapy today was a bit much for her!  She didn't even wake up when we moved her to her bed!  I was able to watch the party for a bit over the computer after they switched me off  the big screen, and it amazed me to see the people who were there.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.  I know I have said this before, but we will never be able to thank you all enough for everything that you have done for our family during this time.  I can't wait to bring my little girl home and see you all in person.  I have a lot of hugs stored up!

 You guys get prime rib and all I get is a lame-o pickle.  Oh, well, I LOVE pickles!

This is Bella watching the Calcutta.  She was really excited, I swear!