To My Daughter on Her 12th Birthday

Dear Daughter,

I unexpectedly felt a little emotional this morning while getting things ready to celebrate your day.  I thought about the day that you were born and the emotions I had about having a daughter.  I looked forward to the times when I would get to dress you in pretty dresses and do your hair all cute with little bows.  I anticipated the times that I'd snuggle with you to read bedtime stories and the Mother-Daughter talks we'd share as you grew older.  I was so excited that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to bring you to me.

As far as labor and delivery goes, it was a little tricky and there was a brief moment of touch-and-go for you. Luckily it went by fast (thanks for that) and we were able to bring you into this world as a healthy, happy baby. You were such a beautiful baby, with the cutest dimples and the biggest brownest eyes.  Strangers would approach me all the time to tell me what a gorgeous baby I had.  In fact, I could never take you out in public without hearing that at least 3 or 4 times each and every time.

From very early on you were mild-mannered and extremely shy in public, while at home letting everyone know your opinion on things.  As you learned to talk, you were a good big-little-sister to your older brothers, always trying to keep them in line.  You have many talents and I am so glad you've grown out of your shyness so that others around you may benefit from those talents you share. 

Today you are twelve years old.  You are still very beautiful.  You are also smart, generous, kind, honest, loyal and loving.  You set such high standards for yourself that I don't even need to worry about so many things other parents might with their own daughters at this age.  You are diligent in staying on task and getting things done without needing reminders from me, and you often remind me of the things I need to remember.  You offer up little words of encouragement to me from time to time which have been both unexpected and appreciated. You are a great example to those around you, including me.

The days of snuggling with you to read a bedtime story are long gone, and I know you are a bit old for me to adorn your hair with barrettes and bows.   But I still look forward to more fun times and great mother-daughter conversations like I used to have (and still do) with my own mother. 

Know that you are greatly loved (even by your brothers) and always remember that you are a beloved daughter of God.  He wants what is best for you and you should never settle for anything less.

Enjoy your day!

Love, 

Mom

Happy Birthday LittleDuckling! (Part Two)

Ok, so school has been keeping me way too busy. But I have finally uploaded the photo montage in honor of LittleDuckling's 13th Birthday. Like I said on Tuesday, LittleDuckling was born on March 22nd, 1998 at 1:34 in the morning. He was a tiny little thing at only 5lbs, 8oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. He has sort of just been the little runt his whole life. Except he hit a growth spurt at around age 11, including developing a voice deeper than his older brother who was then 15. Although he is still an inch or two shorter than FunnyMan, he is actually "bigger".

Here is LittleDuckling, the day he was born with FunnyMan who was excited to become a big brother.

Here he is just 3 days old. I used to think he had the wrinkliest skin of any "skinny" baby I knew. He definitely wasn't roly-poly.

Here he is at just a few months old. There is something about his smile that I find extremely contagious. I also think he has my dad's smile. (Not to mention his hairline - haha!)

Here he is posing for the Christmas letter. He is about 9 months old here.

Here he is on his first birthday. Still completely ADORABLE!

He is 2 years old here. Completely loves to pose for the camera (or at least he used to!).

Here he is at 2 years old. We were in Tennessee at my Aunt Glenda's & Uncle Wayne's house. As soon as Uncle Wayne let him "drive tractor" LittleDuckling couldn't get enough and Uncle Wayne had himself a new little buddy!

This is in April 2000. Kicking the ball around.

2 years old. Easter egg hunt!!!

Makes ya wanna pinch those cheeks a little!

July 2000 - My brown boy got some sun!

Here he is acting all "tough" like fighter pilots. June 9, 2001 at the air show. He really didn't grow much between age 2 and age 3.

July 2001... He is so sweet here. He has always been the quiet child (except for that little "terrible two" phase, haha).

LittleDuckling is 4 years old here, July 4th 2002. I think this pic is funny because he is trying to give himself bunny ears. He could make himself giggle over stuff like this all the time. Incidentally, PrettyPrettyPrincess is trying to copy him, haha! She is 2 here and FunnyMan is 8 years old.

Christmas 2002. Just finished opening all of his gifts.

March 22, 2003. We went to Market Street (his choice) for his Birthday dinner, and he brought home this HUGE slab of chocolate cake! He is 5 years old.

Christmas 2004... being silly. He is 6 1/2 here.

We went to the park on the 4th of July and hung out and "saved" our Fireworks Viewing spot. LittleDuckling decided that Cotton Candy Beards sounded like a good idea. July 2007. 9 years old here.

I love this pic. Once LittleDuckling hit 10 years old, he just didn't like smiling for the camera anymore. He was not cooperating and after about the 10th shot I told him if he would just give me a really big smile he could go. So -- this is what I got, haha. Incidentally, I love that he is wearing THAT t-shirt while getting FunnyMan to stand with him. We are at Lake Tahoe. Labor day 2008. 10 years old here and FunnyMan is 14.

Here he is at Mickey's house in Disneyland, January 2009 -- Just before his 11th birthday. There is that same smirk his Granddad has!

Posing for our Christmas cards in December of 2010. He is 12 1/2 years old here.

And finally... this past weekend at our Birthday Gathering with Family. Happy 13th birthday!

Happy Birthday LittleDuckling! (Part one)

Today my middle one turns 13! Now I officially have 2 teenage boys!

He was born 3/22/1998 at 1:34am.

He was my tiniest baby at 5lbs 8oz.

He was my "shortest" baby at 19 1/2 inches.

He was my longest labor. Whereas my oldest and youngest took about 4 hours, I was in labor with him for nearly 28 hours. Of course, I blame the nurse who gave me the Pitocin too early. Bet, whatever.

Of course, now he is bigger than my 16 1/2 year old. Around age 11 he had an early growth spurt, complete with deep voice and everything! He still has a great smile and contagious giggle. Just no more short little legs, haha.

Like I did with my other 2 children's birthdays I am planning a photo montage. However, my homework kept me busier than I had hoped and it's not ready to post yet. Hence, this is Part One.

So if you don't have access to my Facebook photos (they are there already), then stay tuned tomorrow! :)

Happy Birthday LittleDuckling!

Millennium Baby

Warning: This post contains several pictures.

I had planned to post this on Friday, when PrettyPrettyPrincess turned 11. But -- I've been sick for several days in a row and am finally getting around to it.

My millennium baby was born January 21st, 2000. I went into labor at about 9 in the morning, and after a bit of distress she was born at 1:32pm that same afternoon. She was my biggest baby weighing in at 6lbs 6 oz, and she was 21 inches long. She had a head of dark black hair and was the fairest skinned of all my babies.

Here she is at just 3 days old...

Here she is at about 2 weeks old, dressed for her Baby Blessing at church...

I used to love putting her in hats and she seemed to enjoy wearing them too. 2 1/2 months old here...

Here she is at 6 months old. She was an extremely shy baby and often cried simply because someone was talking to her. However, she seemed to light up when she was getting her picture taken.

Here she is at 10 months old, again loving the camera.

She loved being outside and loved playing with her brothers. Here she is at 18 months old...

With me at my Grandfather's funeral. I think she was the most adorable baby and toddler I have ever seen. And people would always stop to tell me so!

Christmas 2001, just 1 month before her 2nd birthday...

2 years old, posing again... :)

As a toddler she'd always crinkle her nose when she smiled. I don't know why she did it, but I thought it was cute.

Here she is at 3 1/2 -- almost 4. Growing sooooo fast! I've always loved her big brown eyes.

One things she has always loved, and still does is collecting shells on the beach. Going to Hawaii was one of her favorite vacations. 4 year old here...

She always enjoyed dressing up too. This was for a kiddie parade in my hometown.

My baby's first day of kindergarten with her brand new backpack!

About 6 years old here.

I took the kids back home in the summer of '07 and here she is on one of our friend's boats. 7 years old here.

Also at age 7...

She looks so good in any hat she wears. Soooo jealous!

One of her favorite costumes -- The Bride of Frankenstein. 7 1/2 years old here.

In Mickey' house at Disneyland in January 2009. She turned 9 on our trip there.

Waiting in line at one of the rides at Legoland, Jan 2009.

Again, loving to dress up, here she is as Alice, from Alice in Wonderland. Halloween 2010. She is 10 1/2 here.

On our trip to Mount Rushmore over Thanksgiving weekend 2010.

And just about a month ago...

It's amazing to me how fast she has grown in just over a decade. We have her party scheduled for this weekend and it should be fun.

Happy Birthday PrettyPrettyPrincess!!!