13 years ago today we were blessed when we held you in our arms for the first time.  Here you are with Daddy and Mommy when you were just 2 weeks old.


You were 6 lbs, 1 oz., so very tiny, but big enough to fill our hearts and home with love and wonder!  I remember being admitted into the hospital 2 weeks prior to your due date because of preeclampsia. To make a long story short, I was able to labor on my own without being induced and in about 6 hours with no epidural, you went from your dark, peaceful home into this bright, big world!  Your Daddy and I had tears of joy when we saw you for the first time!

I remember crying myself to sleep one afternoon soon after we got home from the hospital because you were so tiny and I was struggling to get you to latch on so I could nurse  you.  Your Daddy woke me from my nap to tell me that he had made a phone call to our local La Leche League and made an appointment for us to see a consultant.  I remember the feeling of gratitude and relief after our appointment because I was soon able to nurse you.  I remember thinking that you have a wonderful Daddy and I have a supportive and loving husband.

I remember when we were celebrating your first Christmas when you were 7 months old.  The outfit you are wearing in the photo below has been worn by all your siblings too to celebrate their first Christmas.  Nowadays you are more into what's wrapped in the wrapping paper vs. just laughing at the funny sounds paper can make, like you did as a baby... :) 


I remember when I borrowed a watermelon print dress from a friend just so I could take pictures of you beside a watermelon and eating a watermelon with me while my belly was getting as big as a watermelon carrying your sibling. (that's alot of repetition there!)  I wanted the matching watermelon (there's that word again!) dress too so I could make the adorable page for you in your scrapbook....


 






I remember that even as a little girl you loved learning about our Catholic faith.  I remember for your First Holy Communion five years ago, we went and took a picture at the same church that I received my First Holy Communion.  I remember thinking "Wow! You really do look like me!"


















I remember that you loved and continue to love our family traditions and how you light up our lives with your smile and sweet personality and talents each day. 

What a busy weekend we have had celebrating your birthday, watching your brother play in a local soccer tournament, and today we celebrated the birthday of the Church for Pentecost Sunday as we hurried to Mass after your brother's last soccer game this morning.
 



You had fun Friday night as you played miniature golf and arcade games with some friends and then came home and had a cookie cake that I made and decorated.  The cookie cake recipe was delicious and can be found HERE.  I smoothed the "putting green grass" on the cake using the easy paper towel method that I used on your skate cake last year.  
Happy Birthday to our beautiful TEENAGER inside and out!  I can't believe we have a teen in our family!  :)  We love you and wish you a blessed 13th birthday!