Not only that I have children--that is miraculous--but that I have THESE children. And in particular THIS child.
Oh boy...gotta' grab a tissue. :)
My earliest pictures of my little "sweetpea", as I quickly dubbed her, were not like the typical pictures parents take of their firstborn. Mine included lots of wires, tubes, and gauze, yellow hospital gowns and poor lighting. I didn't care. I still don't.
Her scar will forever be a sweet reminder to me (and I hope to her as she grows) of God's kindness and mercy. She is a gift, just as God's grace is a gift--one that is undeserved and cannot be earned, just received with open arms and a heart desiring faith.
Natalia, you are precious to me. In every little thing that makes you YOU, I marvel at God's wisdom in giving you as my daughter, and me as your mama. I oftentime feel so inadequate, but that too is by design. ;)
January 2006, about 1 1/2 weeks old
(a few days after heart surgery)
April 2006, 4 months
December 2006, 1 year old
June 2007, 1 1/2 years
April 2008, 2 years (Cousin Morgan is 3 and Avery is 1)
December 2008, 1 week short of turning 3
August 2009, 3 1/2 years
May 2010, 4 1/2 years
March 2011, 5 years
July 2011, 5 1/2 years
August 2012, 6 1/2 years
August 2013, 7 1/2 years
December 2013, 8 years old
Natalia, I love you and am so proud of you. I hope this birthday is extra special!
Happy 8th Birthday!
2 comments:
She has such a distinctive "look"-- you can tell that it's Natalia even when she was a few months old!
What a beautiful tribute to your dear daughter. The pictures are so much fun to look back on. I remember each stage. And I certainly remember the morning of her birth and the days that followed. So many cries to God went up on her and your behalf.
Post a Comment