Happy Birthday, Elizabeth

Wow.  I cannot believe my baby is 4 years old.  How is that possible?  I know she's not really my baby anymore, especially since I have a 2 year old and another baby on the way, but she will always be my baby.  You know?

Four years ago today, at 1:21am, our lives changed forever.

I was holding the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.  All 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and 19 inches of her.

I felt accomplished.  I had delivered her without any pain medication.  Granted, I was WORN OUT.  But, I was elated, and all the hormones that were surging through my body kept me from worrying one bit about my exhaustion.  I was so proud of her.  I may have slept through a few people visiting at the hospital, but I loved showing her off to each and every loving soul who came to see us, or should I say, came to see her.

(This is a picture of my dad, aka Pop, an hour after Elizabeth was born.  He passed away less than a year after this picture was taken, but I'm so thankful he was there for her birth.  He loved her so much.)

Looking back, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into!

I love that, though.  How the Lord brings babies into this world so sweet and innocent, so soft and cuddly.  I know for sure that He designed the whole process, down to the very last detail.  He makes us fall in love the instant we see them.  And in those first few days, weeks, and months, we just fall deeper and deeper.

He does that so that by the time they turn 2 and are hell on wheels, we have that foundation of unconditional love that cannot be broken.  Praise God for that, because without it, whew.  My child might not be here today!

The years have flown since March 6, 2007.  Honestly.  I cannot believe I am the mother of a 4 year old.  And I know I'll be saying the same thing when she's 14 and 44.

As Elizabeth turns four, I am amazed at how grown up she is.  I love her creativity and the way she can paint, draw, cut, and glue for hours.  I love the way she dances.  I love the fact that she is honest and kind hearted.  I love that she appreciates rules and respects her teachers.  (Not my rules, of course!)  I love the way she stands up for her sister if she thinks I'm being mean to her.  I love her sense of style and the way she's always been so independent.

To my sweet Elizabeth, happy birthday!  I love you so much!