Happy Birthday to Emily

From this...

To this...

And this...

Happy birthday to our sweet Emily Bernadette. I can't believe it has been 8 years since

she arrived with a vengeance. We celebrated this past week in Georgia a few times...once with Gramma (her birthday was on the 14th) and again with Great Gramma (hers is on the 27th). I am bringing her some lunch and cupcakes tomorrow and we will celebrate again tomorrow evening. Her birthday party is on Halloween at the skating rink and she is so excited! As I did with Matthew, I would like to write Emily a little note. Here it goes, Emily...

I remember the day I found out that you were in my belly. Daddy and I wanted a baby for a very long time and I was so excited on Valentine's Day 2002 that I was pregnant with you! What a great Valentine's Day present for us and birthday present for me!!!! I will never forget that day because that is when I first knew that I was a Mommy. When we found out that you were a girl, I wasn't too surprised because I knew in my heart that you were my Emily. We gave you the middle name Bernadette, after Great Gramma, Gramma, and Mommy. Daddy and I immediately bought lots of pink clothes for our baby girl! I really can't believe that 8 years have passed since we first met you. You were beautiful then and are beautiful today. I am so proud of the little lady you have become and I look forward to sharing our "girl time" as you get older. These are the things that I love about you:

* I love your compassion. You are kind to others (except sometimes your bubba) and I am so proud of the way you treat your friends.

* I love your enthusiasm for learning.

* I love that you have empathy for those who are hurting.

* I love that you held our hands during Luke's funeral--it meant so much to me and Daddy.

* I love snuggling with you each morning.

* I love our pedicure dates.

* I love your hair--it is so soft!

* I love it when you sing with your I Pod.

* I love how gorgeous you are.

* I love having conversations with you--you are so mature.

* I love how determined you are to beat your arthritis...and you are doing just that!

* I love the notes you write to me and Daddy--they make us smile (even the ones you write when you are mad).

* I love how much you are into fashion (much more-so than Mommy).

* I love how much you love your brothers (yes, even Matthew).

* I love the relationship that you have with Daddy--you guys make me smile.

* I love that you are my girl, my only girl.

I love so many more things about you, sweet Emily. You and your brothers are so important to me and Daddy. I want to thank you for making me a Mommy. Thank you for doing "girly" things with me...pedicures, shopping, dancing, singing, etc. I am so thankful that God gave you to me. I am so excited for you, especially as you celebrate your First Reconciliation and First Communion. Eight is a big year for you, so make the most of it.

I love you,
Mommy

PS To all of our friends, Emily would LOVE it if you wrote her a quick birthday note. She was so excited that I am writing a post about her and her birthday, so if you know her (or if you don't), please feel free to leave her a quick note. Thank you and God bless!