January 6 - Happy 12th Birthday, Baby Girl!

Two weeks old and still only five pounds...

Nearly 12--look at those beautiful eyes!



Okay, I get all emotional thinking about what was happening in my life 12 years ago...

12 years ago, I was waiting in a hospital bed for my sweet baby girl to be born, even though she wasn't due for another 4 or 5 weeks. Her due date was February 3, 1997, and on December 26, 1996, my water broke. By the morning of Monday, January 6, I had already spent 12 days in the hospital, waiting for her little lungs to develop enough for her to be born without complications. A was 16, C was 14, and they had just gone back to school after the holiday break. I told the doctor to wait until school let out to start the C-section. We were all scared and excited. She was born at 5:05 p.m., and weighed 5 lbs. 3 oz. She was so tiny. There were a few complications with fluid in her lungs and her inability to eat (her doctor said that she wasn't eating enough to keep a fly alive!), so she didn't come home until a week later. But she was such a precious baby. Our miracle baby! 12 years later, she is still our miracle. She is beautiful, funny, quiet, loyal, and smart. I count my blessings every day that this child came into our lives and family. I can't believe she is already 12. Where did that time go? She keeps me young, makes me laugh (and cry), gives me love, and shares her world every day. I love you dearly, NessaBess. Happy Birthday...