Wow...6 years ago my life truly changed. Everything I had thought, hypothesized, and assumed about motherhood was thrown out the window on December 28th, 2005, at 3:04pm. I had always loved children, which is why I wanted to become a teacher, so it seemed motherhood would be a very natural fit. I knew your Daddy would be an amazing father...he was great with children and very patient.
From the time we decided we were ready for a baby, it was just...well....difficult. Conceiving you was far from easy. There was about a year where I thought I would never get the opportunity to become a mother. It definitely made me realize that you can't take things for granted. I was thrilled to become pregnant with you! I wanted to make sure everything was just perfect before you arrived!
Not wanting a December baby (since I myself am one), we tried to do everything we could to avoid getting pregnant during that time. Right after I saw the two pink lines we learned you were due on Friday, January 13th. "Whew...missed December by several weeks," I thought.
However, you had other plans and were ready to greet the world a few weeks early, squishing your birthday right between Christmas and New Years. The nurses let me know I should be elated that there was a tax credit since I had her before January, but all I could think of was the forgotten birthday for the rest of your life, trying to live up to the holiday madness. Nonetheless, you were healthy and that was the most important thing.
Meeting you for the first time...I thought you were perhaps the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I assumed all babies looked just like you when they came out...perfect. And from the time we left that hospital room in Mesa Arizona, to the next 12 months, there were many days I failed to see that beautiful creature through all the sleepless nights and days we had to go to the pediatric urgent care for high fevers, viruses, reflux, and ear infections. I wondered at times if maybe I actually wasn't actually cut out for this role as mother because you screamed the bulk of the time and I don't handle noise especially well...screaming babies in particular.
Thankfully, some Prevacid (for reflux) and ear tubes later (after 13 ear infections in 13 months) we got to see your personality emerge and I finally started to form a bond with you. Your personality was so sweet...very tender from the start. It was a relief to see you happy and settled.
As you grew, your personality was infectious! Moving back to IL where your grandparents and aunties and uncles could love on you was a good decision. You were invited to sleepovers with Mimi, and movies with Papa, and got to meet many new friends.
Starting Kindergarten this year was a huge milestone, and one that I was surprisingly not quite ready for. The control freak in me wanted to box you up and keep you just for us...I didn't want that sweet spirit crushed. You are so sensitive which can be a double edged sword...always looking out for the underdog and making sure kids aren't picked on or left out, but getting your feelings hurt regularly.
You are so observant and never miss a beat. All the the things in nature we adults seem to gloss over in our busy mad rush to do this and finish that, you don't miss. You appreciate the small details in nature and in people alike. You love fashion and anything related to fashion which has definitely been an obstacle in trying to get you ready for school (or church, or any other place). The outfit has to be just "perfect" and only 1 outfit a day just wouldn't do...we have to have a different outfit for each setting.
You are a wonderful Big Sister and though you and Little Sis have your squabbles, you are the first one to stand up for her when someone hurts her feelings or doesn't share. You are so good about praising her when she does the right thing or learns something new. I know you'll be a great Big Sis to Baby Sister once she arrives too.
You and I can be like oil and vinegar...and your Daddy always laughs and says it is because our personalities are so much alike! But I couldn't survive without my little partner in crime. I love you from the bottom of my heart and couldn't be prouder of my big 6-year-old girl! Happy birthday sweetie...you fill our hearts and home with joy beyond measure.
Mommy
