Time flies.

(November 2004)

It feels like just yesterday that I was arriving at the hospital - earlier than expected - with a hastily packed diaper bag sans diapers.

It feels like just yesterday that I was nursing my baby listening to her little slurp, her eyes open watching me, her little hand grabbing at the neck of my shirt.

It feels like just yesterday that my no-neck beauty was wearing her little shirt that had "Angel" bedazzled across the front of it and such cute detailing around the neck that, unfortunately, no one could see.

It feels like just yesterday that we had to change to the mini kibble for the dog because someone kept shoving it in her cheeks, squirreling it away like she was heading for hibernation, and we were afraid she would choke on the big kibble.

It feels like just yesterday that she called her brother "Guy" because Sheldon was too hard to say.

It feels like just yesterday that I would watch my girl hang from the countertops.

It feels like just yesterday that she had her first "little girl cat fight" in the wagon with her best friend - arms flailing at each other, screaming, tears, then instant sleep.

It feels like just yesterday that she walked comfortably into her JK classroom where she then refused to speak for 9 months.

Yet this morning, I woke up to a cuddle from my now 9 year old.

She's funny.  She's beautiful.  She's stubborn.  She's emotional.  She's dramatic.  She's kind.  She's brave.  She's a big pain in the butt to her brother but I guarantee he wouldn't trade her for the world.

Of all the little girls, in all of the world, we're blessed to call her ours.

Happy birthday Juliana!

xoxoxo