Mother's Day

Dear Sophia,

My life forever changed on June 18th, 2008, your due date and also your birth date (Dr. Cipriano decided to induce after me asking about it and me being a higher risk candidate for delivery).

I was induced on June 18, 2008 at 7 a.m.

7:30 a.m. received Protucin to start contractions.

9:20 Broke my water. I was already at 3 cm dilated. 

Got my epidural at 10 am...best money ever spent!

12:50 pm....6 centimeters dilated

3:00 pm....ready to push!

3:36....You arrived.

In hindsight, I'd say that your birth was the EASIEST day of our life together. I mean, I only had to feel about 45 minutes worth of contractions and only have to push for about 30 minutes. 

This was the BEST meal of my entire life. Probably cause I had to wait until close to 6 pm to get it and hadn't eaten since the day before.

You were so calm and quiet. Honestly, we thought the going home part would be easy....we were so easily fooled.

And then it was time to take you home...and your dad and I were clueless!

From day one, you slept (I mean cried) in your bed. But I'd have to say in hindsight, we'd do that part the same way. You have never, to this day, slept in our beds. Dr. Phil would be proud and that's never an issue. Storms, bad dreams, you've always stayed in your bed. The whole co-sleeping thing was not appealing to me.

We managed to capture a few moments when you weren't screaming (as seen below). 

You're yawning here not crying.

Your first Halloween costume.

Your first Christmas.

And then there was your Doc-Band (helmet) and physical therapy.

We some how survived your first year, intact. :) 

The following are pics of you through the years....

And that brings us to today's Mother's Day.....

which I got to spend with you, my beautiful daughter (and family). 

What I LOVE at this age (not a big fan of the pre-one year old kid), you can dress her self.  Not always a good thing because of your clothing choices. BUT, I think I'm teaching you more and more how to coordinate colors and patterns. I also love that you can do your own shoes (than goodness for velcro). 

YOU also have definite ideas about what you want to do.

Like riding your scooter (next to the pool). 

Then it was time to chase Myra, the dog. Watch out Housewright's, I'm going to steal her for sure.

You pouting....does she need a reason????

But the best thing about today, other than seeing family, was relaxing.

And then it was nap time for me and swim time for you(thanks Russell for taking pics).

As my mother said today, Sophia is the reason you are celebrating....and she's right. and I'm so thankful. And I'm also thankful that I didn't have twins. I mean, they put 2 embryos in. We could have had twins!!!! Can you imagine???? 

Having said that, I'm so thankful for you, Sophia. Your spunkiness, independence, and decisiveness, impress me. I love you!!!

Love, Mom