My baby is 5!

This is my favorite pose. She does this all the time. Sucks her thumb and puts her foot up to her mouth. Hilarious!

I can't believe it.

My baby is 5 years old today.

I never expected to have a little girl. My pregnancy with her was a complete surprise. COMPLETE. SURPRISE.

I was never very excited about having a girl. But when I saw her. When I saw her dark brown hair. Her red lips. Heard her cry. And held her in my arms.

Oh man, I was in love.

That girl stole my heart. The nurse brought her to me with a red bow in her hair, I thought I would die from sheer love for that girl.

She would cry when we held her and stop crying as soon as we laid her down.

When she was just 1 year old, her pediatrician told me to "get a handle on her". I didn't know what he was talking about. But he knew what he was talking about. I should have listened.

This girl has a mind of her very own. And a will that is stronger than steel.

But I love every ounce of her. Every act of sheer defiance, every smile, every kiss, every "I love you mom" from the backseat of the van. They make me love her more and more every day.

Happy Birthday Anna! I am so glad you are a member of our family. So glad that God surprised us with you. Our lives would not have been complete without you!