Bug turned 5!

Look at this, I'm getting a birthday post done on time.

Today is THE fifth anniversary of the day I gave birth to our precious girl! She has a special place in my heart. She's so soft and tender--she keeps me in check. She helps me keep in mind that I'm dealing with little hearts and little minds that are so impressionable each and every day. She's total innocence. The kind of innocence that believes in the good of humanity, in Santa, and in the fact that her mama is the end all be all of hugs and kisses. A soft place to fall (literally, my stomach is so soft these days--and I'm not talking about my skin). A place to let her heart speak freely. To let her thoughts ramble off her tongue and to feel safe about it. I hope I can always remember to be her (and all my kids') soft spot (I'm going to work on the abs, but I'll always be the metaphorical soft place to fall).

I love this little girls so much. She's always been a cuddle bug (hence her nickname). I can seriously see her at 15 cuddled up on my lap to watch Max and Ruby (okay, the Max and Ruby part is me dreaming). When she was a newborn, I had a terrible knot in my right shoulder blade area. Why? Well, that'd be because I held her in the bend of my arm all night long in the same position. I did this for about 5 months. It was painful, but not as joyful as it was to hold her like she enjoyed--our foreheads and the tips of our noses touching. I hold those memories near and dear to me. They're tucked away in my heart forever.

Bug, you are beautiful inside and out--really. I know this is cliche, but you truly are. You have big brown eyes, a heart for helping, your daddy's lips, love for your siblings, and so much more. When you grow up, you tell me you want to be a mommy. You still love Dora! In fact, you want another Dora themed party (at a bowling alley). I think you've wanted a Dora party for about 3 years now. Why fix what isn't broke?

To celebrate your big day today, we actually started last night with your dinner. You picked homemade chicken strips (Daddy does great with these), homemade mac and cheese, green beans, and salad. And you requested homemade brownies for dessert. Yum! I love your choices--good taste!

Today we had your breakfast. You chose a sausage and egg casserole, strawberries and grapes, and donut holes (I was able to get powdered sugar and cinnamon and sugar). You also got your goodies bag at breakfast--the contents being a tiny Cinderella doll, a Max and Ruby Halloween book, a box of candy corn, and Tom and Jerry Nutcracker. You've already watched your movie, read your book, and played with your doll. Not bad (SMILE)! During this time you also got a Skype call from Auntie--all the way from Africa!

You celebrated at school with lemonade Popsicles. I got to sneak a peek for the last 15 minutes of your class to see everybody celebrate your birthday. Then you had a date with Gram and Boushka. You came home and got to watch your new movie and hang out with family. Grammy came over to give you your card and a present. Then we went to sissy's soccer party at a pizza joint. And finally we came home and opened up your last presents from us. You love flashlights--and so you got one. A Hello Kitty one--recently you've developed a HK like! You also got a HK purse. I'm not sure you liked it as much as the flashlight.

I hope you had an awesome birthday, sweet girl. You deserve it because you are special. We love you forever and always! Loves, hugs, and kisses,

~Mama~