I remember the day my daughter was born with such clarity sometimes I feel like I’m re-living it. Each moment I rocked, on the floor of my tiny apartment, bent over the couch on my knees breathing the way we’re taught. I remember reminding myself not to panic and thinking how much more it hurt than I ever imagined. I remember how mortified I was when my water broke (for the 3rd time) while pushing and squirted out all over the doctor. Oops. Mostly, I remember seeing her little face when they pulled her out. Eyes blinking at the light, little hand pressed up to her face. My little girl. My rainbow. She stole our hearts with her first breath and we’ve been happy to let her hold them since. Today was her birthday and I made an extra special effort to remain present and enjoy these fleeting moments where a birthday is the best day of the year, even with the promise of Santa coming a week later. She has been surrounded by so much love and adoration this week and I think my heart might just explode from my gratitude. From our friends and family who stayed up late nights with me planning her party down to the details and rearranged schedules to drop into her party or visit her to give extra big hugs and kisses. For our Internet besties who we only know from pictures but always take a moment to read my stories and laugh about her adventures. For God or the Universe or whomever willed us into being and decided that we were good enough to be blessed with such a monumental gift as Savannah Kaye. Happy Birthday, love bug. No, you can’t wear that crown to bed.
