Yesterday, my little girl, my baby, turned 3. I can hardly believe it! Where does the time go?
My Dearest Elaina,
It seems like just yesterday that I was hearing your heartbeat and seeing that little peanut that was you on the ultrasound monitor for the first time, wondering if you were going to be a boy or a girl.
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| 11 weeks |
Then there was the day we got to see you in 3D and found out you were a girl!.JPG) |
| 20 weeks |
I know I made them triple check. :) I wanted to be sure before I committed to the thought of having a daughter. I was used to boys, but I was so thrilled to know that I would have another girl in the house!
Then there was the moment when I knew that you were coming...5 weeks early.
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| In labor at 35 weeks and headed to the hospital the morning of July 28, 2010 |
I know that I cried. I was scared. I was so afraid to face the NICU again. I know I begged God to take away the labor, to calm my heart, but instead He whispered to me, "She is coming, you will go through the NICU again and it will be ok. I love her more than you do. Trust Me." I remember the peace that came over me, and I knew that God would work it all out somehow; that all would be well.
And then you were here, born at 2:22pm via C-section.
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| Not even an hour old, if memory serves, July 28, 2010 |
They put you on some oxygen just to make sure, but your lungs were fine. You were perfect health-wise, other than some eating issues, and you wouldn't be there long!
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| Just the feeding tube in NICU |
You were my littlest, but my healthiest baby, despite the NICU. God had not made me a promise He did not keep - everything was indeed ok, more than ok. Everything was beautiful...Just like you!
The boys loved you instantly.
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| The boys meeting little sister with Mom for the first time |
They were such proud big brothers! They loved to touch you and talk to you and couldn't wait to have you home!
And the day you did come home, one week later...
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| First day home, August 4, 2010 |
They couldn't stop smiling and couldn't get enough of their little sister!! (Dad was pretty smitten, too, and everyone else for that matter, too!)
You grew and thrived, with little reflux issues and other things along the way, but all in all, defying your preemie status from day one. My little fighter, survivor and sweetheart all rolled into one! Your strong will kept you healthy and strong and will bring you a long way...if you use it in the right way!
My Elaina, Laina Lou, Laina Bug...
You are so full of joy!
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| July 2011 |
May you always keep that laugh and smile at the ready! It makes life so much more fun and bearable!
May you always keep your sense of style...individual style!
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| Stylin', December 2012 |
You are unique. Embrace it! Love it! Own it! Enjoy being who you are...and never apologize for your quirks. They make you special!
May you always keep your sweetness!
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| 3rd Birthday, July 28, 2013 |
You have a big heart (though we are working on the sharing thing because that is still hard, big heart or not), you love to make others smile, and hearing you say, "Pweeze" or "Kay Coo" or "Oooo! I wuv it!" while you offer huge hugs and/or kisses melts this momma's heart. Every. Single. Time.
You don't harbor pretense. You say it like you see it, you express your heart. I love that honesty in you - may you never lose that, though I may not like it some days, because honesty is so very important! Tact would be good, though. We'll work on that. :)
My prayer for you, sweet daughter, is that you grow up to love God, to live for Him and that you follow Him with all of your heart, soul and mind! I pray that you find the perfect soul mate in your future husband (whomever he may be), if it is God's will for you to be married, and that you serve the Lord together and raise your children (should you have any) together for Him.
Most of all, I pray that you know how much I love you and that I will always love you. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, I will be here. Even if you stray, even if you do things to break my heart, I will be here, loving you, praying for you and ready to accept you back when you are ready to come back. May we never face those days...
I look forward to getting to know more and more of my Elaina Sharron as she grows and matures! You are an amazing little lady, Laina Lou, and I am so glad you are a part of this family!
I love you so very much!
Happy 3rd Birthday, sweetheart!
Xs and Os,
Mommy
(This
post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)
Oh, JULIE!! She is so adorable and such a love! Her inner light just shines so brightly!! Happy, Happy birthday to your wonderful and sweet Elaina!--Lisa
ReplyDeletePs. I also have to say, you are one of the most beautiful pregnant women I've ever seen. You looked GREAT headed off to the hospital!! :)
LOL Lisa! I was trying to smile normally in that picture - I was in the middle of a contraction. Thank you for thinking I looked beautiful. :)
DeleteThank you for your kind words about my daughter, too. I am a bit partial when it comes to my children, so when someone else gushes, too, it validates everything I believe to be true about them, you know what I mean? :)
Thanks again for stopping by and for helping make my Elaina's birthday extra special!
aww.happy birthday! It is such a blessing to have a daughter:)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is! She is such a bright spot! <3
DeleteThanks for stopping by!