The Big #4!

 

Oh, time has flown. Hope turned 4 on July 26th and I don't know where time has gone. It seems like yesterday that I woke up in the middle of the night with my back hurting and then a few hours told my mom I thought I was in labor. I did not want to be in labor yet because it was Wednesday and I was not scheduled for a c-section until Friday and I had to get my classroom finished before I could have her! However, my little princess had her own plan and labor would not wait. We had nothing ready and not 1 single bag packed and Daddy would not get out of bed. In fact, after I called the doctor and told him she wanted us to come to the hospital he told me, "Woman, you are not in labor. Get back in bed!" HA! Grandma had to turn the light on and rip off the covers and tell him that we were going with or without him and he had better get up if he wanted to see his daughter born! Needless to say, daddy got up.


At 5 a.m. I took the time to take a shower, roll my hair, put on make-up and try to shave my legs. Grandma packed all the bags and we took off to Dallas. However, we took too long and drove from Fort Worth in rush hour traffic. When we made it to the hospital, they told me they thought I was dilated to about a 9 and I was in horrible pain. Dr. Chapman came in about the time we got there and they finally got my labor stopped. My c-section did not go as planned but you were worth it! My epidural did not work and Dr. Chapman had to resort to pouring local anesthesia on me to finish cutting me open and get you out. He told me I was his STAR patient. You came out screaming and perfect at 6 pounds and 15 ounces.

You were such a sweet and easy going baby. Your big sister adored you from the beginning. You had brown hair and the sweetest little mouth. Your first word was Mama, much to my delight. You were a Daddy's girl and he taught you to say Mama because he knew it make me smile. You loved to eat and took to sippy cups by 5 months old. You were my little ray of sunshine and had a smile for everyone you saw as long as they did not pick you up! You crawled at 8 months but did not walk by yourself until you were 15 months old. G would walk around the house holding your hands but as soon as she let go you would sit down and smile. You were a silly little thing.

At 4, you are a vivacious little girl who loves to laugh. My nickname for you is Monkey because you like to climb and you cling on to our backs. Your imagination is very active and you love anything with Disney princesses. Your favorite toys are Polly Pockets, Strawberry Shortcake, and your Barbie’s! You love anything pink. Your favorite thing to eat is spaghetti! You also LOVE fruit, Cheetos Asteroids, and colby jack cheese. We read the story, Ruby in Her Own Time almost every night. You ask me every day if it is a church day because you love bible class and Mr. Charlie's Church. Your favorite song is "Jesus Loves the Little Children". You are your Momma's little caretaker!

You are growing and changing so much but you will always be my sweet girl. You are a loving big sister to J and you help me take good care of her and you adore Grace and want to do everything she does. I pray sweet girl that you will always have a passion for life, love, and God. I pray that you will grow to be a strong and loving Christian woman who cares so deeply for others. I love you sweet girl and wish you the happiest of birthdays.