Happy Birthday, Peanut!!

Dear Diary...

Today is a very special day.  It's the day my little Peanut has turned 12.  She's no longer a little Peanut - but a budding, beautiful girl.  Twelve years ago, today, I sat in a hospital room holding my first born child in my arms wondering how on earth I was able to create such a beautiful baby.  She weighed in at 8lbs 1oz - a big bundle of joy. 

Her labor was long.  Very long.  I started having contractions at around 1am on April 13th, 2000.  Being that I had been to the ER a few times for fake labor - I decided to hold off and wait for my doctor's appointment that morning.  At 8am I was in the doctor's office - and he informed me that it appears that I was having contractions...and it was probably time to think about heading to the hospital.  I spent the entire day in the hospital.  Minor contractions weren't doing much for me - so I had to be hooked up to some pitocin. 

Hard labor didn't start until around 10pm that night.  By 1am on April 14th, I was in a lot of pain.  I had been in labor for 24 hours.  My mom was by my side - begging me not to succumb to the temptation of an epidural.  I tried - so hard.  I opted for a big shot of demorol - and was able to get a couple hours sleep.  At 4am, I woke up with intense contractions - and just couldn't take the pain any more.  I had the epidural - except, little did I know that I would totally freak out from not being able to feel my legs...and had to have it turned off to actually deliver.  So, while I did have an epidural for an hour or so - I did 98% of my labor without it - and delivered Peanut naturally.  While family and friends looked on eating their breakfast sandwiches from Braum's.  I kid you not - that's the one thing I will never forget about Peanut's birth...everyone eating breakfast while I was pushing and screaming and delivering.   

She was born with the biggest, most beautiful eyes I've ever seen - and it didn't take long for her baby blues to turn in to her trademark dark brown eyes - that she inherits from yours truly.

She was such a good baby.  Even after the arrival of her brother 11 months later - Peanut was sweet natured,  calm, and always had a smile on her face.  On her first birthday - she entertained everyone with her ability to smash in to a birthday cake...the girl didn't mind getting dirty, that's for sure.

That quality has stayed with her since.  She loves to be a "girly-girl", but she also doesn't mind getting dirty with stuff like camping and fishing.   She also loves the camera - and the camera loves her.  This is her at 7.  My she's grown up so much since...

She has a presence about her that puts a smile on my face.  For as long as I can remember, she's wanted to please others.  She's always willing to try new things - and puts herself into those things whole heartedly...

Her life hasn't always been a bed of roses, however.  She's had to overcome life obstacles - way before she should have.  Like dealing with bullying in 3rd and 4th grades.  It was such a hard time for her - it pushed her maturity level through the roof.  No matter how much people tried to bring her down, she rose above it.  She refused to sink to the demeaning level of others...and put up with tormenting, name calling, and self esteem bashing.  It was such a tough time for her... but she pulled through.

What's sprung from the depths of despair and pain is a girl who will go above and beyond to help others.  She's willing to help those that need it, including her mother.  Especially her mother.  Being the oldest of the three children, she molded herself into a mother figure...and she did more for me than she'll ever know during my years of going to school. 

She even dabbles in some charity work - having participated in the last two Race for the Cures and is planning on doing the next one with me in two weeks...

This past year, my Peanut has changed in more ways than I ever could imagine.  Being able to take her out of her old school and place her in the district I'm working in has bloomed a new girl.  She's bubbling with happiness and independence.  She fits in with the kids at her school.  She has lots of friends - and her comfort level is through the roof. 

People often refer to her as my Mini-Me.  They have no idea how right they are.  Not only does she look just like me - but everything she does, says..it's me from my years past.  Her obsession with music, her desire to not be lumped into a group of friends but be friends with everyone, her independence, her love of reading, her love of school, her passion, her drive... I could go on and on. 

Despite the fact that it's obvious we were cut from the same mold - she is also her own self.  She is a girl who has her own hopes, her own dreams, her own likes and dislikes. 

I know that with every day that passes - she will continue to surprise me, impress me.  She will no doubt achieve all her heart desires - and I will be with her every step of the way.

So, Happy Birthday to my wonderful Peanut.  I love you so much.  Enjoy your day - surround yourself with friends, fun, and laughter.  You deserve it.  :)


Till next time. ;)