Poor Anne Marie

Poor Anne Marie's second birthday has been celebrated in bits and pieces. But, after a long time waiting, here's a little birthday post for my sweetie.

From Anne Marie hospital

First, a little bit about your coming. It all started Jan. 22 at my 3 p.m. appointment. The doctor said, "You are sick. You need to walk over to the hospital and be induced."

So I did. And, after a lot of arguing and cajoling, long story short, it didn't work. You weren't supposed to make your appearance until March 3, but you picked Jan. 24, just after midnight.

I was really worried about you, and whether or not you were big enough. They pulled you out, and your papa left me and ran to your side of the operating room. I yelled, "Is she big enough," and he yelled back "She's OK." Then the two of you were gone.

I wasn't there, but I'm guessing that you got poked and prodded a bit during your early hours. By the time I was out of the operating room, you had x-rays, ivs and a repirator. I got to see you for a brief moment that night- I remember holding your hand and saying, "You don't look anything like what I pictured."

It was true. I thought you were going to be a huge, bald, fat baby. Instead, you had a wild head of black hair, and looked like a skinny little scrapper. Thank goodness. Most of the other tiny babies in the nicu looked like little china dolls- always asleep and very breakable. You were tiny, but you definitely didn't look like a china doll. You looked like you were ready to fight someone. I think it helped you bust out of the hospital a little sooner.

Since then, you've grown into about the smartest, cutest thing I've ever seen. Here's 10 of many things I love about you.

1. I love that you have several words to describe yourself: "Pretty, gorgeous, cute" There will never be a self-esteem problem for you.

2. You love to sing, and you are great at memorizing songs and poems.

3. You spread the "Pretty" comments around. This morning, when you said, "Mama, you look so pretty," it made me feel pretty good, even though I was wearing only a t-shirt and underwear, with the Thomas belly hanging out.

4. You believe you can "make a princess" by spinning around in a circle like Cinderella did.

5. You're tough.

6. You don't back down from a fight- I don't mind arguing with you when you insist that picture is a yellow circle, not a blue square. You might be wrong, but I'm glad you stick to your convictions.

7. Even at 2, you understand that there is a time to be quiet and a time to be loud, and you always oblige.

8. You love to entertain, and you always put on a good show.

9. When I ask about how things went at daycare, you almost always have a good story- even if it's simple. "Wells played with his nuk. Ruston took it. Anne Marie saw it." Let's hope you keep telling me these stories in high school.

10. You're great on a car ride- you always seem to keep busy, whether we're able to entertain you or not.

You're a wonderful blessing to both your papa and I, and we're forever glad you came, even if you were a bit early.

Last year:

From first birthday

This year:

From cinderella dress, Thanksgiving and Jackson