Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Happy 7th Birthday, Avery Rose

For some strange reason, I always struggle with my children's birthdays. I guess the time is just going by so fast...I see them as another reminder of how short my time will be with them. And it freaks me out. Almost panics me. Okay, it panics me. Along with the knowledge there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I have that "pit" in my stomach all day, but along with that is the feeling of such pride, pride that this incredible person is my child. That pit lives side-by-side with the hope that my children will continue to grow normally, be healthy, and live to experience a wonderful life. I wish that more than ANY other thing.


So today was Miss Avery Rose's 7th birthday. What a wonderful day it was, really could not have been more perfect. We "played hooky" today, even though Rob had to work 1/2 day. We had arranged with our wonderful employers and the kid's teachers to take the day off, and celebrate Avery's birthday at Disneyland. After all, it is the "Happiest Place on Earth!" I got a wonderful extra hour of sleep, and then the blessing of my youngest crawling into my bed for some early morning birthday snuggle time. Is there anything better?? We snuggled, and whispered about the day she was born, 7 years ago. I retold the story of how we had gone to Auntie Lo and Uncle Ross's home the night before (I had a planned induction), and had a wonderful dinner with them. We left Zoey in their care that night, the last night we would be a family of 3, and we went home alone, just the 2 of us to whisper to each other how strange it felt to be "alone" that night, our only child just down the street, but not under our wings. And to speculate about the unknown, the new daughter we were praying would be healthy...the one we would meet the next day, and hopefully turn us into a new family of four.

Indeed everything went as planned (I really need to do a post about their complete birth stories...one of their favorite things to hear about...another day). We went into the hospital about 8AM, I was hooked up to the meds by 9AM, and our beautiful Avery Rose was born exactly at 1PM...just in time for the Charger's game (and that's another part of the story)! I remember seeing her for the first time, as the Dr. went to place her up on my tummy, and marveling at just how beautiful she was. Perfect in every way, petite, round little face, little rosy cheeks. I was so thankful, grateful for the enormous blessing God had given us. A beautiful, healthy, perfect little rosebud. My life would never be the same.

So different from my eldest, Avery has sometimes provided the biggest challenges in my life. She is extremely stubborn, arguing about what she would wear practically from day one. She is one of those people that cannot be swayed that something else is better, good, or even acceptible. "Her way or the highway" is definitely a phrase to describe her. She is SO strong-willed, which I know will ultimately be a wonderful trait, but a trait that when a 3-year old posseses will drive you practically insane. She is a force to be reckoned with, and that can have both it's blessings and it's curses. When she is pouring a whole bottle of fish food into a 30 gallon tank to the point of turning the water muddy, and causing a clean up/rescue mission for the fish in the tank for the next 5 hours...it's a curse. When she describes in detail on the eve of her 7th birthday how she wants to meet with the Principal at her school, immediately, to talk to him about cleaning up the lunch area, conserving energy with better light bulbs, and discussing defeating bullys at school, it's a blessing. A jaw-dropping blessing. She WILL BE a force to be reckoned with, and I could not be more proud.

So tonight, after an amazing day with my beautiful family celebrating Avery's 7th birthday, I am humbled. I am blessed. And I am so very proud to be the Mother of such an amazing young lady. I just cannot wait to see what's coming next for her. What she will do/master/create. The person she will become. Happy Birthday, Avery Rose. I love you so very much.
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