It seems like just yesterday your Dad and I were in the basement on a normal Sunday evening. Watching Desperate Housewives, eating dinner (your Dad had grilled steak - WOW - your Dad can grill) and I started feeling these strange pains. They were not too intense so at first I really did not think that much about it. The first pain came and went. Then another. Then another. I did not say anything to your Dad at first because I had made many, many, MANY trips to labor and delivery (only after your arrived to find out it was my gall bladder - everybody thought I was crazy) and I was not about to make another trip if one was not necessary. So, I looked at the clock and the pains were coming about every six minutes. Hmmmmm, interesting. Being the very obsessed planner one would think that I would have had a bag packed with everything for you and everything for me This was the case because YOU were not expected to arrive until around May 15th. I finally told your Dad that I was having pain and that the pain was coming about every six minutes. About 19 hours later -I was able to hold you in my arms and I wispered to you "I have waited my entire life for you". I meant every word of that. THAT truly seems like yesterday. Only, it wasn't. It was five years ago. Where has the time gone? You have grown into a very independent, strong willed, confident little lady. I am told you are my clone. Watch out world. I am very proud to call you my daughter.


When you were a year old your favorite thing was discovery. You were so curious. You loved to take baths and I would sing every single time (to the tune of Take me out the ballgame. You would clap and laugh so hard when I was done.

Take me out of the bathtub
Take me out of the suds.
I've been here soaking since half past two
I feel so sudsy and wrinkl-y too.
Oh, I washed all over my body
My head my toes, in between
I used one, two, three bars of soap
Take me out......I'm clean!

Take me out of the bathtub
I'm stuck here with my toys.
Dumptrucks and squirters I think are great,
But I better take off my ro-o-ler skates.
'Cause each time I get up I wob-ble
I hold on, but it is a pain...
I tried once, twice, three times to stand
Better get a crane!

BATH TIME

FIRST BIRTHDAY

When you were two years old Mickey Mouse (or as you called him Mickey House) was your entire world. You loved everything about "Mickey House". You already had a wide vocabulary and most of the time you very easy to understand. You flew for the first time (to see Daddy in VA). We went to the zoo and you brused donkeys (you called them "gonkeys") and you told EVERYBODY about that. If you wanted somebody to get up you would say "gup". I could go on and on (but that is in photo albums and baby books).

SECOND BIRTHDAY

You never had the "terrible two's". I was so proud. Then, on your third birthday. You woke up and I said "who is this child?". WOW. Things seemed to change overnight. You became a wee bit more difficult. You loved everything princess related. You loved clothes, shoes, dress up, painting your nails and art. Three was a very, very fun age!!!!

THIRD BIRTHDAY

When you turned four, it seemed pretty obvious that you had left the toddler stage and were becoming a little girl. This was hard to watch but fun at the same time because we could have conversations about your day. You talk constantly (I mean that literally - you never stop talking). You ask questions constantly!!!

FOURTH BIRTHDAY

At five some of your favorite things are strawberries,creating your own dance routines, learning to jump in the pool without holding your nose and "going into the deep end". Girl, you have sassiness but you have such a kind heart. You remember to pray for those that you love and random people that we barely know but have touched your heart somehow. At dinner you always say the prayer (God Bless the Moutains,God Bless the Sea, God Bless the Food We Eat, and God Bless Me)and we always do our "Peak and Pit" of the day. Your peak is almost always about being with your family. You never let us forget to pray and do our peak and pit.

FIFTH BIRTHDAY