I have a 6 year old!!!

My sweet Annie turns 6 today...well she did at 1:18 am this morning. I always want to go in and wake her up just to remind her that at that very moment she changed my world in ways I still don't fully understand. What a ride it was. I went into labor at 4 am on the 8th when my water broke. It was a shock because I wasn't due to have her until the 21st of October and I didn't anticipate her being early. I had no bag packed, no labor music selected etc. Thankfully the crib was up, the carseat was installed and I had an outfit for her to come home in!

Off we went to the Hospital where we were admitted around 6 am fully anticipating a baby that day. It was very bittersweet for me because I really didn't want Annie to be born on the day my dear friend, Chuck, had died. Though in some ways I thought it was God's gift to me to make that very hard day more bearable but at the time (just 3 years after his death) I couldn't imagine those 2 things being remembered/celebrated on the same day. Little did I know Annie wouldn't come on the 8th at all!

We settled in and got comfy. Labor progressed very slowly and family trickled in and out. I watched the Steelers play (and I think they won, unlike last night) and slept a little. It wasn't until about 10 pm that I got really uncomfortable and wanted it to be over. I was finally able to push at 12:15 am on the 9th and 40 minutes later Annie Patricia was born weighing in at 8 pounds and 7 ounces and measuring 21 and a quarter inches. She was the most perfect thing I had ever seen...all pink and squishy. My pregnancy with her had not been easy by any stretch and I was so glad she was finally here safe and sound. Thank you God.

Today, Annie is a lively, funny girl who loves people and life. She is determined, bright, quirky, and loving. She stills calls me Mama, never wanting to move on to Mommy, which is FINE with me! She is in first grade and reading like a pro...and if given the chance she will talk your ear off about many topics under the sun.

Happy birthday sweet Annie, you are loved by your Mama, your Daddy, and by the God who created you. May you always know the warmth of HIS love as you walk through life. Thanks for teaching me about motherhood and for being patient with me when I wasn't sure of just what to do with you in those early days.