Tuesday, April 03, 2007

April showers bring birthday flowers

Five years ago I labored in vain, drifting in and out of sleep and gazing at the steely East River, until finally a scalpel and a pair of gloved hands delivered all nine and a half pounds of you into your father's arms.

Four years ago your grandmother marveled as you ate fistful after chubby fistful of Veggie Booty. We dressed you in pink and green and celebrated with your dearest baby friends.

Three years ago, you celebrated in your new house. Your favorite aunt visited and you rode your first tricycle.

Two years ago, I again labored in vain. Three hours of contractions slowed to a halt as we toured the neighborhood in your new red wagon; the pains returned just after midnight. You wouldn't share your birthday with your little brother after all. The day he was born, you brought yellow-frosted cookies to school and had your first sleepover.

One year ago you celebrated with your big-girl friends and practiced for your first dance recital.

Today you are five. You can sing and dance and write and allllmost read. You are a loving, caring, bossy big sister. You are my big girl but you'll always be my baby.

I love spring because

18 comments:

Kelly said...

I love the Happy Birthday posts! It's so bittersweet to watch them grow and change. Thank you for including some original artwork. She's got some definite talent, and it's the perfect ushering in of Spring.

(I have a soft spot for other women who've labored 'in vain.' Me too, twice...)

Bon said...

that's a beautiful post to your big girl and baby, all in one.

i was going to ask how close the two birthdays are, but i suppose i'll just keep an eye out for the next birthday post, since what you do for one...

;)

Magpie said...

Happy Birthday to you and to your baby/girl!

Christina said...

Happy birthday to your little girl! I can't even imagine what 5 years old will be like.

Movin Mom said...

awwwwwww

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ...she's a whole "high five" old

Give her a High Five from us!!!

Unknown said...

That makes me smile. Bigtime.

Scribbit said...

Five is such a sweet age. I never realized how fun until my last one is about to reach it. Everything she does makes me get all mushy and sentimental about it being the "last" this and "last" that. It's hard letting this one grow up.

Jennifer (ponderosa) said...

Happy birthday to your big girl!! (And congratulations to you : )

Anonymous said...

Oh! What a wonderful way to sum up each of her birthdays! Happy, happy birthday to Jo!!

Anonymous said...

Happy HAPPY birthday to Jo from all four of us. I still think of that first birthday party and marvel at how much they've changed.

Lady M said...

Happy Birthday, Jo! Here's to more years of dancing and fun.

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Big Girl. And congrats to YOU mom -- a 9 1/2 pound baby. That's ALOT of baby!

Wonderful post.

Tree said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

I like 5. It's been a good year.

PunditMom said...

She will so love this post when she is older. And she is a wonderful little artist, too!

Anonymous said...

I love the way you did that post. Happy Birthday to her!

Suzanne said...

Happy Birthday, Jo!

Damselfly said...

Aw. Happy birthday. What nice memories. And pretty artwork!

Mrs. Wheezer said...

Happy birthday, Jo! What a sweetheart!