Birthday

3 years ago right now I was saying to Jeff, "Yes, I know I'm not due for another 3 1/2 weeks, but I think we're going to the hospital tonight to have a baby." While he took a deep breath, I explained that a friend would come spend the night with the boys and my parents would pick them up by 7:30am. While he realized that we didn't even have the crib unpacked from storage yet, I had another contraction. As we drove to the hospital, I told him that if they even mentioned a C-section, there was no way I was going to labor first and then have major surgery. So, at 10:30pm, they wheeled me to the operating room for what turned out to be an emergency C-section because my placenta had quit doing it's job.

As you all know, our 6lb, 2oz, baby girl has taken us for quite a ride. Her life started with a bang, and has been anything but ordinary. To tell you the truth, she has turned my life on its head, in several very good ways. These last couple days, as we've been celebrating her birthday, I find myself reflecting on what her little life has been - and who she is. I'm absolutely in awe of where we find ourselves after the journey we've been on. I find it difficult to believe that Abby is as healthy, straight, and perfect as she is. I won't go through the litany of surgeries, but my heart is truly full when I look at this beautiful, perfectly "normal", joyful, 3 year old girl! I'm so grateful that I get to be her mom - and I'm a better, more compassionate, less perfectionistic person because of her.

We've had a great time celebrating her birthday. Yesterday at the carousel with a bunch of friends, and today with just us. My parents also brought a special gift over tonight - I'll post pictures of it tomorrow.