the big number 5.

our sweet, little aw turned five yesterday. it is hard to believe that she has been driving us crazy for five years. she came to us two weeks earlier than expected. after close intrauterine monitoring our ob determined that she had a greater chance of growing outside the womb. the ultrasound taken the day she was born estimated her weight to be five pounds nine ounces. mw and i left the office (a little overwhelmed), stopped at target to pick up some last minute items, and went home to pack and kiss and hug cw before heading to the hospital. gma connie stayed with our baby, who was only fourteen months at the time and not yet walking. i cried in the car on the way to the hospital. i wondered what we were doing having a baby when we already had one at home. my two sisters hurried to the hospital. what a blessing. they took turns sitting with me and watching cw. four hours after the pitocin was administered my mother and older sister stood next to the bed, talking with mw and i. my brother-in-law was en route to our house to trade places with my little sister. i mentioned that i felt some pressure. mw called the nurse and sent my family to the hall. the nurse entered the room, took one look, and yelled for the doctor. her head was crowning. ten minutes later, enter aew. a whopping five pounds eight ounces. the doctor called her a perfect, little peanut. my little sister walked in the room about five minutes later, unaware of what had transpired. she looked at mw, holding a small blanket. and then looked at me. honestly, she was a little irritated. mw handed her the baby, sent my mom and big sister to the hall again, and the three of us tried to pick a name. we were caught between alexandra and the name we eventually chose. mw and i had decided to let aunt v pick her middle name. she chose wisely. the next morning, our little (31 pounds) cw crawled into the room to meet his little sister. aw has been a miracle from the start. there are often complications, even after delivery, with a baby diagnosed as iugr. heart murmurs, underdeveloped lungs, failure to thrive. but she was perfect. just teeny. her whole life has been an amazing journey, thus far. she has been a healthy, happy, saucy little thing. we have been so blessed to have her in our family. born so tiny. the only girl. the horrible head injury. the badly broken arm. she has been blessed with health and peace and brothers that would do anything for her and anything she tells them to do. we love our little girl.

happy birthday little girl!

aw's itinerary for the day: have a bowl of cocoa puffs. open presents. read new books. shower. paint finger and toenails in a red and pink pattern. get chicken at wendy's. go to the pool. and swim only at the big pool. go home and shower again. eat at red robin. take a walk downtown. get a treat at the chocolate shoppe on the circle. blow out candles on something. stay up late with dad.