Sweet Sarah Jane

this is a random, cheesy mom post - written late at night on the eve of my SJ's seventh birthday. The pictures aren't in order and all the words won't make sense to everyone - but they will to her. Seven years old, really?!

 I've never been more scared in my life than I was on this day, 7 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was nervous, anxious, and slightly out of my mind - I was in pain so overhwhelming that I didn't know if I was going to make it through or not. 26 hours in the hospital, and then a c-section and then you. Every emotion that I came to that hospital with left me when I saw your sweet face. Immediately, I knew my life would never be the same. You wrapped your tiny little fingers around your daddy's pinky and we both fell head over heels in love with you - our sweet Sarah Jane. You have changed us forever, for the better.

I can't believe that I just kissed my 6 year old goodnight for the last time!

These last SEVEN years with you have been more than I could have ever dreamed that they would be. You're the greatest adventure I've ever taken. I love you more than you know. ---and seven sounds so crazy to me. INSANE!

This year, I have watched you go from a very much loved only child, to a sweet big sister. I have to be honest - I was worried how you were going to re-act, especially since he was not the "sister" you had hoped and prayed daily  for... but you were a rock star! In fact, you held him before any of us did and you have been smitten ever since! You were the first person to get a giggle out of him and you're still the only one to get a guaranteed laugh. He adores you just as much as you love him. I can't wait to watch you help him grow up - you're going to be such a great big sister!! You already are.





In addition to welcoming your new brother this year, we also said goodbye to your best friend. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done to watch your heart break over this. But, I can promise you that for every tear you've shed - I have matched it with 10. There's never been anything in my life that I ever witnessed like the love between you and her - and I know that there never will be. She'd be so proud of the young lady you're becoming - because it's so much like the lady that she was. Just like her, you're beautiful inside and out. Compassionate and giving, strong and loving - All of her greatest qualities live on in you.





 Your little personality is a constant source of entertainment to me, you make me laugh every. single. day.

I can't believe that you will be seven years old tomorrow! It makes me so sad to know that those baby days are gone - I know it sounds so cliche' to say this, but time has flown by! I feel like I've blinked and here you are... seven years old and too big for snuggles!

I wanted to take a moment to remember all the things I love about my six year old, on the last day I'll ever be able to say I love you, my six year old SJ!:

 your glasses, all 7 pair (hot pink, brown, green, blue, clear, light pink, and red)

Your Love for Taylor Swiph

Your willingness to still wear bows "for me"

How you sing ALL the time, and have no idea that you're doing it

 Your fear of bugs, all bugs - any bug, even an ant!

How you know every. single. song. you hear - even if it's one you shouldn't know!

your crazy outfit combinations.

 How you are so scared of the Ocean...

Unless you are with your Daddy.

 Your make-up skillz.

Your crazy precious teeth that all decided to fall out this year.

 Your shoe obsession

your silky hair

your free spirit

 how you always try to tuck in your shirt, no matter what shirt you have on.

 your eagerness to help. with everything.

 your crazy faces!!

Berberham (Birmingham)

 that you still love barbies

 How you will sit in the bath-tub for an hour and make up the BEST songs..

♪ "they said that they'd take me to the dollar store, but they LIEDDDDDDDDDDD"♪

♪ "I am the butterfly, you are the big one, please don't crush me!"

 how much you love the Disney Channel

 you still think I'm cool.

 The sweet pictures that you draw

 How much you love to dance!

 Your love for your friends

 how great you are with Genna!

Your persistance and perseverance! 

 how you still love the simple things in life

Your smile

your contagious laugh

...and how you don't "like" to snuggle, but you will "for me"

You are the best thing that's ever happened to me - and I don't know what I would have ever done without you, or what I ever did before you. You're my little "too-dee-aye" and I love you to the moon and back... and back again, twice..no, three times --- all the way up to 1,437,899,235 times 11!  I can't wait to see you in the morning - as a seven year old.