#kcnhlifeasweknowit

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

If fitting into Noah’s first pair of rainbow shoes is any indication that Henry will follow in her footsteps, then I’ll be smiling just as joyfully as Henry is here. I have no expectations of what kind of human he’ll grow up to be but I think he’s on the right track. :) Right down to being emotionally driven to hug me tight when he sees Nemo hugging his daddy at the end of the movie or moved to tears when he sees Jack and Sally hug at the end of Nightmare before Christmas. He doesn’t sit still for more than 5 minutes so how he gets caught up in the moment is beyond me, and I love it. 🌈 #kcnhlifeasweknowit #documentyourdays

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

16 months old and already has the same fighting spirit as his big sister. #livelikenoah #kcnhlifeasweknowit #heartstrong @fourheartsshop @emlfoundation (at Boardwalk Mission Beach)

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

This is our 2018 San Diego beach house reunion. It’s that time of the year we look forward to being together. Sunday was Pink Day in honor of Noah. * Over the years we’ve grown and have grown close—realizing that having a bond and making an effort to make these memories actually matter, if not for ourselves but for our children. Just as our parents did before us. * After losing Noah, it’s these individuals who have picked us up after breaking into a thousand pieces, a thousand times over. They’ve listened to us cry time and again and filled us with joy when we ran empty. I don’t know where Keith and I would be without them. This family is legit as imperfect as we are. We’re forever in debt to the love the grace they’ve given us. #candaristrong #livelikenoah #kcnhlifeasweknowit (at Mission Beach)

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

In the mornings, days and nights that pass by we are reminded why we love you so hard and miss you so deeply. Noah Bella, when I close my eyes it still feels like I was just holding you, talking and laughing with you and even singing you to sleep. You left us 10 months ago, yesterday. You lived a life on this Earth so profoundly with intention and sensitively with compassion all while living daily with the reminders of a disease that wanted to consume you. Your contribution and leadership with helping other heart families near and far will never be forgotten nor will we forget your love to teach us about our planet and the beautiful creatures that live on it because you had a love for science and conservation. You continue to be a constant source of inspiration and perspective; ushering in light for us all. We will always remember what you sacrificed and how hard you fought in your 13 years. But now you possess a freedom and guiding force that is undeniable. We carry that with us and the peace of knowing we will one day reunite with you in heaven. #heterotaxyremembranceday #kcnhlifeasweknowit #heartwarrior #girlpower #candaristrong

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

She picked out her new black framed glasses in the spring of last year with only one thing in mind... to be Edna Mode for Halloween! With all the planning that went into NFOL that year, this costume didn’t get made till the 11th hour, but we made it in time for Noah to strike a pose. To our last Halloween together. We loved every one. Love you. .. . #ednamode #theincredibles #bestcostumeever #heartwarrior #kcnhlifeasweknowit

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

This is a special day. Not just because my son is 6 months old today and is sporting his first two teeth, but it's also my Dad's 87th birthday and if he were alive today, Henry, who carries my Dad's name Marcelo, would be laughing up a storm together. Henry definitely has his papa's handsome features and sense of humor. Dad, I hope you and Noah are celebrating up there and painting something magical together. 💖 I only wish you we're both here to squeeze this boy. I miss you both more than anyone could imagine. . #henrymar #kcnhlifeasweknowit

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Henry, Henry what do you see? Beauty, laughter, purity, happiness. All things to be relearned. He is showing us the way. (no hair product was used in the making of this picture) #kcnhlifeasweknowit #optionb

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Each day is a new day as hard as it is to wake up to. But I can't deny opening my eyes to this sweet miracle. Noah knows how to fill me with strength. #kcnhlifeasweknowit #optionb

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Their is no one way to grieve and in the circumstances where life immediately follows death, I'm thrust into seeing the light after walking into that very dark tunnel. Trying to keep the darkness behind me. #kcnhlifeasweknowit #optionb

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

The last time I can remember going on a picnic was with Keith and Noah at Will Rogers State Park, about 2 years ago. My memory of that day still vivid. The sandwiches we ate, the games we played, the laughs we had. The thought of ever coming back here haunted me like many others do. But today, like clouds clearing for sunlight, this sacred space to us felt like it was calling us back. Calling us back to spend it with some very special friends. The energy today was a gift and we enjoyed every single moment. All of our kids were with us, including Gracie and Noah Bella whom I know were flying all around us today. #heartwarriors #livelikenoah #kcnhlifeasweknowit #lightovergrief (at Will Rogers State Historic Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqWeRdUH9pP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mukzzmfq5q5r

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Yesterday we spent the day in Malibu flying our kites high in honor of our girl! We celebrated Noah’s 15th Birthday and wondered what our lives would have been like had we all still been together. The goals she had, the dreams she had and everything in between. . How do we use our pain and transfer that energy into something positive? How do we take her with us as we continue to move forward while still missing her daily? How do we make her proud while we are still here? We’ve spent the last 22 months searching for ways to honor her life. And all of these questions have led us to start something new. . With Noah’s guidance, we are proud to announce the launch of the Live Like Noah Foundation. We are 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to carrying on Noah’s legacy of goodwill and helping families affected by the challenges of Congenital Heart Disease and Plastic Bronchitis. . We encourage you to visit our site and learn more more about Noah’s story, our missions to achieve our vision and how you can help us pay it forward!! Link in bio. www.livelikenoah.org We’d love for you to also follow us on Instagram & Facebook @livelikenoahfoundation and share this with the world at large. Let’s #LIVELIKENOAH . . . . . #purpose #heartwarrior #philanthopy #give #donate #charity #changetheworld #bethechange #bekind #raredisease #chronicillness #fightforacause #specialneeds #motherhoodrising #griefandloss #optionb #kcnhlifeasweknowit https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7hpNaHXeV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gxxskglee9t2

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

How we miss looking into your soulful eyes. It always felt like you knew something we didn’t. Like you were casted with a special power or awareness for those who were hurting, having a bad day, needed a good hug or needed someone to genuinely listen to them. We will always remember how you made us feel, especially in those moments of need. You melted everyone’s heart the second you made that connection with those eyes. Butterfly kisses, my love. #heterotaxyremembranceday #kcnhlifeasweknowit #livelikenoah https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpx00miHL67/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1x76nbuj5xj8z

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

We just recently watched the Incredibles 2 for the first time and I wonder who Noah would have wanted to be this year. This costume takes the cake in our opinion. I can’t get over how good she looks here. Her personality and character, channeling her inner most Edna Mode still has me laughing out loud and wishing we could make another costume together. Little did we know this would be our last Halloween together. We’ll be carrying on the tradition of making costumes and memories with Henry and sharing our stories with him for years to come. #kcnhlifeasweknowit #noahbellascostumes #ednamode #theincredibles #livelikenoah https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnaQUABfRK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rx3r3eb4us9g

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Halloween 2015, the year Noah was the microscopic tardigrade! Also known as the water bear. It’s the only animal that can survive the cold, irradiated vacuum of outer space. She was so fascinated by them this 8 legged creature. How fitting it seemed for her to choose this as her costume. She seemed to certainly have the traits of this indestructible creature. We went through a couple costume designs that didn’t work but finally made one that fit well. Definitely one of our favorites. #tardigrade #shelovedscience #kcnhlifeasweknowit #waterbear https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpm2hHbnFcd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2kla54dj0u7c

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

"Excellent!" I cried. "Elementary," said he. . As a lot of you know, Noah was a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes. Mystery/adventure was her favorite genre. I miss seeing her dive into these books and devour them. I miss her asking what a particular word meant if she didn’t understand it. I miss hearing her yelling out, “Deduce!” to Keith if he said he couldn’t find his car keys. 😂 Like Sherlock she’d help him retrace his steps, with humor. . The last book she read but was not able to finish was The Return of Sherlock Holmes. She had less than 20 pages left with her last page still earmarked. One of my last photos of Noah is her trying to read it past the uncomfortable cpap mask. I posted it once but don’t wish to post it again. . What I do wish to repost is the incredible experience she had meeting the cast of Sherlock Holmes at the Pierce College Theatre. Thanks to our dear friends who gave us the opportunity to go backstage. Noah wore her entire costume to the play. . We are so grateful for every opportunity we received that lifted up her spirits and gave her and us so much to be thankful for. #kcnhlifeasweknowit #noahbellascostumes #livelikenoah #griefandloss https://www.instagram.com/p/BpietzqnfaN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jmdg55bc80wv

[kcnlifeasweknowit]

Happy 19 months old to our little guy. His first time pumpkin patching, our first time back. We’ve come to Underwood Farms nearly every year since Noah was a toddler. Her presence was really felt by us today. We knew exactly which pumpkin she’d choose and I could see her chasing after Henry. He had the best time. To the firsts that are the hardest to overcome as to the peace of feeling her close. #kcnhlifeasweknowit #griefandloss #livelikenoah (at Underwood Family Farms) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpdT0hLn_xQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6qtttndnidut