Since you only turn ten once (especially with a birthday on New Year’s Eve), we had her party ON her birthday for the first time this year. I think we have officially recovered after a round of naps this afternoon.
I’ve been spending a lot of time recollecting the arrival of Elizabeth. Ten years ago the Christmas season for me was spent in the hospital on bed rest worried about staying pregnant, counting the contractions and the minutes.
Once Elizabeth arrived (at 28 weeks, 2 lbs 7 oz) the worry switched to her - her apnea, her oxygen levels, her eye development, and everything else, plus dealing with the emotions of going home with a baby in the hospital. For me, the hardest part was connecting with a baby I could only hold for a few minutes once a day.
I think I made up for that last part by holding her almost non-stop the first week she was home in March.
My friend Christy sent me the dog as a gift while I was on bed rest. He was a great comparison to Elizabeth for size when she was first born. It seemed fitting to take another at ten years.
So yesterday we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Elizabeth’s arrival. Eight 10 year olds had pizza, made crafts, played twister, dance dance revolution and charades, watched a movie and the ball drop in Time’s Square, plus have the required birthday cake and presents. They even managed a few hours of sleep in the early hours of the morning.
With time the stress and worry of Elizabeth’s birth have become a distant faded memory, but in looking back I am overwhelmed by the blessings we were and have been given.
Every fear I had relating to the development and health of this little girl was answered in a positive and healthy way.
I pray that you begin your new year recognizing the amazing things God has done in your life with eyes open for more in the coming year!
Happy Birthday Elizabeth!
4 comments:
Oh, I remember meeting tiny Elizabeth! (Though she was about six months old before we actually got to see her in person.) It seems like we barely knew you and John back then. How faithful God has been to Elizabeth and to your family! I can't believe she's a whole DECADE old! Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!
What a wonderful post! Happy, happy Birthday sweet Elizabeth... & BIG ((hugs)) to you, Jonda! You are such an amazing Mom!:o)
Happy New Year...
xoxo,
Jen
I remember Elizabeth being a little "peanut." What a beautiful young lady she is turning into! Happy Birthday Elizabeth!!!
-Mic
Happy Birthday Elizabeth, I know that your mom and dad thank God every day for the blessing they were given. To have you as their daughter. I know you have brought them many, many precious moments that will never be forgotten.
Renee and Jocelyn
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