October 2009 Abby turns FIVE!

Abigail Paige Marie, my baby girl, my Pumpkin!! Has it really been five years since you joined our growing little family!! You were born on a Monday evening and you must have been snug as a bug in Mom's tummy because you were four days late! This must explain your laid back personality and the reason we sometimes call you a turtle!! You like to do things at your own pace!! You did not surprise us by being born early, but you did surprise us and our doctor with your birth weight! Coming into this world at a whopping nine pounds, the nurses put size one diapers on you - but Mommy still squished your chubby little legs into the newborn diapers!!! We were overjoyed to have you in our family but I think the most excited was your big sister Emma! She loved you the minute she saw you and wanted to hold you all the time. As you grew bigger you also grew to adore your big sister and she was the one to get the biggest smiles and the best giggles out of you!! Being a sister myself, I was so excited to see you two bond and I only pray that you two will always look out for each other and be the best of friends!! I love you so much, Abby. Oh how I eagerly anticipated your first smile, looked forward to when you would learn to say your big sister's name(which was your first word!). I beamed with pride as you took your first steps, and have enjoyed putting ponytails in your hair and watching you grow into a little lady!

Which one is Baby Abby?

2005 - One year old and you have the most contagious smile and sparkling personality!! Always such a happy little toddler! For your first birthday we had an Elmo birthday as he was your favorite!!

I tried to put your soother into your very own little pumpkin , but you kept stealing it back!! Still our precious pumpkin at age one! At 17 months old you became a big sister to your brother Jesse! When he was born I am pretty sure you thought of him as just another doll but you have never had any jealousy and as you both have grown, you have shown us what a wonderful big sister you are!

2006 - Two years old! We had your birthday at a pumpkin patch which was lots of fun but for some reason the pictures on my camera disappeared into computer space!! It still saddens me today - luckily Grandma was able to give me some pictures from the birthday party. Two years old and you did not have much hair, but still carried a smile that could melt our hearts or capture a conversation of anyone nearby!! You are my child who loves to explore the world and sometimes found yourself getting into trouble!! Also our little social butterfly you would chatter to anyone or anything that wanted to listen to you!

2007 - Three years old and finally enough hair to have ponytails!!!! At your birthday you were overjoyed to have everyone sing you happy birthday!! You also love to sing and dance yourself!! You had the traditional train cake for your third birthday, but you also requested a dinosaur themed party - not real ones though!:0) This is why there are a few dinosaurs on and around your birthday cake!

2008 - Four years old! Becoming our little pumpkin princess!! You love dresses but you also love to play in the dirt! A firecracker for sure! You can capture every ones attention when you enter a room and leave everyone with a smile on their own face!! You have such an easy going personality and you are pretty happy with anything!! One of the only times you cry on a regular basis is if we are visiting and it is time to go! We tell you it is time to go and then on the count of three laugh when you start to cry!! It sounds mean that we laugh, but when you are so predictable with the tears it makes us giggle!!

October 18 2009 - Five Years Old!!! You wanted a Tinkerbell birthday this year and I had many sleepless nights getting prepared for your party!! When I put you to bed the night of your party it was all worth the effort when you told me "Thank you Mommy -That was the greatest birthday ever!" Look how you have grown, I still have trouble comprehending that you are in kindergarten! I am so glad I still have you home with me for half the day but love hearing about all your school adventures too! You are a macaroni girl, and still do not like meat or milk, but make up for it with peanut butter, cheese and yogurt! You are content playing with any toys, but still love to dress up like a princess. You enjoy your Polly pockets, pet shop, barbies and playhouse. You still love the princesses, Tinkerbell and snow white being your favorites at the moment. You love to play outside or in, love play dough and art projects especially when it involves siccors or paint!!! You still like being read to and I am sure will learn to read very soon.

I love waking you up in the morning and watching you stretch then greet me with a great big smile. I love your sweet and loving personality. I love that you give hugs and kisses for no reason at all. I love to hear your sweet angelic voice say "I love you Mommy." I love to watch you dance and love to hear you sing. I love watching you play with your big sister and your little brother. I love that you all still give each other hugs before bed. I love that you still love to wear dresses and I love to watch you when you twirl in them. I love watching you explore the world around you. I love that you love to swim. I love hearing you learn to play piano. I love that you still make us laugh even when you cry at the drop of a hat, yet can smile just as quickly! I love that you are still our social butterfly and you enjoy talking to anyone who will listen. I love hearing about your days at school and all your sweet stories. I love your art work. I love that you still let me takes hundreds of pictures of you and you still smile and now pose for me! I love your worry when one of your siblings is hurt - it shows you have a caring heart! I love that you will play with anyone in kindergarten and that you are kind to your friends. I love that you are happy with anything and so easy going. I love that you are a picky eater because it reminds me of myself and I know as you get older you will learn to love many more different foods. I love that you get distracted easily although sometimes I need you to hurry up, I know this is who you are! I love the fact that you have no problem telling people you would rather get a ride than walk - I realize you do not like to walk but I think it is good exercise and I do not want you to become lazy however I don't think you are ever going to enjoy walking as much as I try!:0) I love that your smile can turn a bad day into a good one and that your presence is like sunshine brightening a room!! I love your honesty. I love that you can still make me laugh every day with things you say. I love YOU for being you!

Abby we are so proud to have you as our daughter and could not imagine life without you!

But to be honest, if I could bottle you up right now, I would in a beat of my heart. That way I would be able to savor the sweet smell of your head forever. Feel your warm breath on my cheek as I hug you. Run my fingers through your baby soft blond hair. Feel a closeness to you like nothing else as I cradle you in my arms. Gaze forever into your beautiful blue eyes. Rock you as we gaze into the moonlight together. Sing quiet lullabies to you as your eyelids flutter and close. I love you so much, Abby, and I am very sad that you won't be my baby girl forever. Sad, in a way, that you are already growing up. These five years have gone much too fast.Of course, you'll always be my baby girl. Grow up you must, grow up you will, and I will find joy and happiness in that journey. But I will, I will cherish these fleeting moments with you, Abby. I will enter your childhood with you with no regrets about your short young days. I vow still to leave no kiss unkissed and no cuddle uncuddled, no matter what the hour of day or night. I know too well now, my dear sweet baby girl, how precious and momentary sweet childhood is. Since I cannot keep you little forever, I will make the sweetest, deepest memories that I can, now while you are still young. I am excited to see what the future holds, what memories we will make, what paths we will explore, what mountains we will climb and what adventures will come our way. I will always be here for you weather I am standing next to you cheering you on or away but still encouraging you with all my heart I love you Abby!