Thursday, November 27, 2008

Miracles

More princess party pictures to come...

It's Thanksgiving today and I am sitting in my childhood Hooper home smelling my mom's turkey cooking. I'm grateful for a lot of things, but today isn't just any Thanksgiving day so this isn't going to be just any Thanksgiving post.

4 years ago today I experienced a miracle. I became a mother. She was due on Thanksgiving day which seemed appropriate considering the circumstances, (though she chose to wait a few days to make her appearance). After years of heartache, fertility treatments, and prayers they finally placed a chubby little bundle in my arms. I had never been so thankful for anything in my whole life.

Today my little girl is dressed as a princess. She has scrapes on her face and knees from falling down, and I had to beg her to come let me hold her as I celebrated the minute she was born. She's growing up. I can't protect her from falling and getting hurt... I can't even make her get dressed most of the time! But she will always be my baby. My miracle.

Last night as we were kissing her goodnight I said "I'm kind of sad. I'm going to miss my 3 year old Lila." She said, "It's ok to be sad, mommy. Even grown ups get sad sometimes. You'll get used to me again!"

I'm not sure you get used to your babies growing up though.

Lila makes me laugh more than I ever dreamed possible. She's silly and sweet (and sometimes messy and disgusting). But I can't imagine my life without her.

Now there are 2 more little people running around singing "Happy Birthday to you..." and the memories of the trials to get them here have faded a little. But on this Thanksgiving Birthday my greatest blessings are celebrated together. Those three little miracles that call me mom.

Happy Birthday Lila Bean! I love you "most of all the world!"

12 comments:

Shay said...

What a sweet post. You gave me chills! Happy Birthday Lila! What a great day to have a birthday on! We missed you yesterday for Thanksgiving. Jeremy said that he was sad that you guys weren't going to be joining us. You guys are a part of our Boston family! I hope you are having a great time in Hooper!

Bryan and Amanda Russ said...

Happy Birthday, Lila. We love your big four year old self!

Emily, sweet post, how quickly we can forget our blessings. Hope ya'll are having fun!

Rindi said...

Such a great thing to be thankful for! Cute post!

Mindy said...

Happy Birthday Lila! We miss you guys horribly and Kay can't wait to wish you happy birthday in person. See you soon!

Liz said...

ok, you made me tear up and get a lump in my throat. A baby is a kiss from heaven, blown from the hand of God.

Amateur Steph said...

Sweet. Happy Birthday, Lila.

katieo said...

Tears.
So glad she made it to the Russ Family and has you as her mama!

Amy said...

That was such a sweet post. I'm glad you got your little miracles! I bet you are an amazing mom!

Lisa said...

All these sweet birthday mushy posts have never made me cry...up until today. I love you, Em!

Jan Haws said...

As I sit her in my now QUIET home in Hooper, I too am thankful for miracles... for being a mom and now a grandma. Thanks Emily for being my first little bundle of joy and Lila for being my first little bundle of grandma joy. It was a Happy Birthday! I Miss you already.

Cassi said...

so so sweet. Love you Lila Bean, and Happy Birthday! Sorry Em I haven't called you back, I have been thinking about you a lot and just wanted to have a few minutes to actually talk :). But you know better than anyone that those few minutes are hard to come by. You are such a great mom and example to me. I miss you and your little family. Amazing!

The Arnell's said...

ok so I am reading this and trying not to shed a tear. (seriously!!) Em you are amazing and I am so grateful that you get experience the joy of motherhood. You are a natural, I loved seeing you and talking with you. I hope your netty pot is working :)