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Sunday, July 15, 2007

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Happy 4th birthday to my sweet, precious, baby girl! Ok you're long past the baby stage, but really - you'll just always be my baby girl!

I thought I could mention how much you've grown this last year, but guess what? Most of your size 2T shorts that you wore last summer still fit you this summer! You have grown though as your shoe size increased and you do at least wear size 4T shirts! I think your shorts still fit because last year you were in diapers/pull-ups and you had some cushion back there...now you don't so they fit you just fine.

You woke up crying at 430 this morning. I put you back to bed and stayed by your side until you fell back to sleep. I went back to bed but couldn't fall back to sleep right away (I'm not like your daddy who can fall asleep when he closes his eyes!) It seems fitting that you woke me up early this morning. The specific time wasn't significant, but 4 years ago I was in and out of sleep in the early morning hours. I was "uncomfortable" with some "mild cramps" which would turn into full-blown contractions. You were born at 3:45 that afternoon.

How did you go from this:


to this:

in a blink of an eye? I can hardly remember you as a baby anymore; it's like you flew right by that stage and grew into this spirited little girl.

There have been so many changes and experiences that you've had just since last year when you turned 3!

You:

...are potty trained! Yay! You do wear pull-ups at night (although you are dry 95% of the time when you wake up.) It's just neither your daddy nor I feel like dealing with the occasional accident you're bound to have in the middle of the night and changing sheets! You sleep so hard throughout the night I don't think you would wake up to go to the bathroom.

...don't need swim diapers this summer! It was so nice not having to buy those this year!

...learned to recognize your numbers and then to count

...started preschool! I can't believe last year I was already sending you off to school! You had a little tough time with transitioning (didn't like me to leave in the morning) but you enjoyed being there and stopped crying as soon as you were in the classroom.

...started taking the bus! I'll never forget the sight of my little girl getting on that big school bus. You loved it though! You didn't cry once to get on the bus and wave to me from the window; it made going to school much easier.

...learned how to jump - finally! You tried so hard to jump before. Had all the motions; you would crouch down and fling yourself up, but just couldn't get both those feet to leave the ground. Last year you finally got some air under those feet and you now love to jump.

...had an explosion with your vocabulary. You started saying so many words in this past year! No longer do you primarily communicate with signs, now it's with the spoken word. While I do miss watching you sign I love hearing your verbal conversations!

...had your 3rd set of ear tubes and also a cardiac catheterization procedure. At least you are now being cooperative at the ENTs office and letting them look in your ears without a fight anymore.

...figured out you could drag your little kid-size chair around the house so you can stand on it and reach things (and even having it tip over and falling off it hasn't deterred you from still doing this!)

...discovered that cereal is your absolutely favorite food. You could, and would, eat it all day if we let you!

...started to become a picky eater; you just don't seem to have much interest in eating anything for dinner (which is frustrating to us you know!)

...can be a sassy little stinker. You have started crossing your arms over your chest and saying 'not yet!' when we ask/tell you to do something.

...are such a big helper and like to get your broom when you see me sweeping (but why, oh why do you have to sweep the exact same pile of dirt that I just swept?)

...learned your left foot from your right foot; thanks to daddy teaching you that!

...call out "daddy" first thing when you wake up and go looking for him, then come back to me saying "daddy at work." You love seeing your daddy when he's home for lunch or the end of the day. But then something happens after 5pm and you become my little shadow. You have to follow me all around the house and if I leave a room it's "wait mommy!" At night we ask you "do you want daddy to read you a book before bed?" and your answer is "no. mommy read."

...have an imagination that blows me away sometimes. I love to sit and watch you when you're playing by yourself in your room.

...figured out how to open doors. You couldn't do this before; you just don't turn your wrist enough in either direction - so you figured out your own way to turn the doorknob. You grasp the knob from the side and pull down and voila - the knob turns enough that the door opens. We finally had to buy doorknob covers for 2 of our doors.

...still love your books and being read to. Except now you're 'reading' your books as well. After we finish reading to you you'll take the book and say, "I read it." I love sitting next to you and listening to you "read" the book as you turn the pages and recite bits and pieces from the story. Or sometimes you'll just flip to the last page and say, "the end!"

...took a cross-country road trip and did amazingly well with all that time spent trapped in your car seat!

I know these are only snippets of things you've done and learned over the last year; my memory can't capture each one that I know I must be forgetting.

I can't wait to see what this next year brings as you continue to grow and learn and amaze us every day by just being who you are.

By the time you turn 5 there will be a new baby in the house; you'll be a big sister. I know you'll be such a big help taking care of your brother or sister, and I can't wait to watch your interactions.

Happy birthday to my little girl and many, many, more to come! I love you!

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Kayla! I hope one day we get to meet you and until then may every day be a happy day!

Amy said...

Happy 4th Birthday Kayla! You are a precious angel in my eyes. You make my days brighter when I come to visit you and your mommy. You have a special place in my heart reserved just for you. I hope one of these days I am able to meet you! Thank you for just being you!

Linda said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!! This past year has certainly be filled with a lot of wonderful new things. The time does go so quickly Michelle. There are some days when it seems to stand still and then all of a sudden it's a new week!! Have a wonderful birthday celebration!!

Unknown said...

What a precious post..Happy birthday Miss Kayla.Hope you have a wonderful day..Cant wait to read moms post next year!

Christina M said...

Happy VB-day Kayla,
Michelle, you gave me goosebumps as I read it. There is just so much to look forward too!

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!

Loved your recap on her last year, Michelle! That's a really cool idea!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th birthday Kayla!! I can't believe how much you've grown up in the past 16 months I've been reading your mommy's blog!

Barb said...

Happy Birthday, Kayla! Michelle, she's going to treasure this post someday. :-)

Amy said...

Happy Birthday, Kayla! You have accomplished so much in the past year! Could you please tell us your secret to potty training?

Anonymous said...

Awww, Happy Birthday, Kayla! :o)

This was a beautiful post!

A Captured Reflection said...

Happy 4th birthday to our gorgeous blue eyed Kayla! Wow, you have accomplished so much. You are awesome just like your Mom :-) May your day be special and wonderful.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Happy Birthday, sweet Kayla! You have a wonderful mommy to list all those wonderful accomplishments out for you!

And to sweet mommy, enjoy this last year with just her! Eat her up! (It is EVEN BETTER getting to watch siblings, but there is something so special about the time when there is only one little one!)

Dori (Aviva's mommy) said...

Happy 4th Birthday Miss Kayla! What a smart girl you are and look how much you accomplished in 4 short years!!!

Hope your day is very special and filled with happiness and lots of presents.

Trace said...

Aww!! Happy Birthday to Kayla!!!!! That was such a sweet post! :)

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Happy Birthday beautiful Kayla! What a wonderful list of accomplishments!

Eden said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!! Wow! you have accomplished tons over this past year. I'm totally looking forward to next years' recap.

Melanie D. said...

HAPPY Birthday!!! Brenna's is Saturday and I'm struggling a little - four seems like a milestone somehow.

Not yet! Ha!!! We've got a sassy one too, but that makes me laugh. Not yet.

I always tell Brenna that she will be my baby girl even when she's a grown up. She frowns a little at that, and then just accepts. She just wants to make sure that we know she's not really a baby.

I hope you'll share b-day pics. I'm sure you've had a busy day!

Kari said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!

Loved reading this post!! It was great to hear all of the accomplishments in the past year. I agree they sure do grow way too fast!

Beck said...

Happy birthday, Kayla! She's accomplished so much already, and four is such a fun, busy age.

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Happy Birthday darling Kayla! I hope you have the best year yet!!

Michelle, that was so beautiful and fun to read. You are a wonderful Mommy, Kayla is blessed. I hope the party was a success, although I am sure it was!

-Andrea

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Kayla!! Yay!!! I love you, you sweet little Angel! I hope you had a great day! love, "Sasa"
P.S. I've tried to call 3 or 4 times and your line is busy! :-(

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! I want to see pictures of your birthday.
love, Nate

AZ Chapman said...

Happy fourth b day Kayla. You learned a lot this year keep it up next year it will be kindergarten for you.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday my sweet grandbaby!! Like your mommy I can't believe you're 4 years old already. Watching your grow has been one of the greatest pleasures your grandpa and I have had. We love you every much!!
Grandma & Grandpa

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! I loved your trip down memory lane Michelle, what a great idea. Emma's birthday is Tuesday, so I may have to borrow your idea.
Sarah

Robin said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL KAYLA!!!! We want you to know what a wonderful experience it has been for our family to follow your blog. We have learned so much from watching you grow up. You are an amazing little girl! Maybe, someday, we will have the opportunity to meet. Happiest of birthdays!

Amy Flege said...

happy birthday to such a sweet girl. kaylas blog was the first one i came acrossed after the birth of mayson. kayla has been an inspiration to me...she holds a special place in my heart.....birthday hugs!

Cheryl Wray said...

Ahh...Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!
What a wonderfully sweet post, Michelle!! you are a great Mom!!

A Captured Reflection said...

Did you make the butterfly cake? Can't wait to see the pics! Feel to pray for you. Lord I pray that your hand of protection is over Michelle and each family member, I thank you that you are watching over this wee baby in the womb and I have an impression of a wee babe growing strong and being a very joyful child to be, a real blessing. I pray that you prepare Kayla to be a big sis and that you bless her heaps, fill her too with joy and laughter. I pray your refreshment on each family member.

Kacey Bode said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!! What a big girl she is. I have to say I cried reading your post, updating all of the things Kayla has done in the past year. They truley are amazing!!!

P.S. Thanks for the pistachios!!! Yummy : )

Shelley said...

Happy birthday Kayla! What an eventful year you have had - but somehow I suspect that this one, where you get to be big sister s going to be even more amazing!

Stephanie said...

Awww that is so precious!!! Happy Birthday Big Girl Kayla!!! I hope she has a great one!

(sorry it's taken me so long to pop in.. things have been so busy around here. Fortunately I plan to be back as usual. See you soon!)

Marlo said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Kayla! I hope you had a wonderful and special day!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, beautiful Kayla!!! I was thinking of you all day yesterday (I so much NEED to photograph you!!!!! How far away are you from Portland/OR? ;-) ... my computer was down ... Here's to you little beauty, your fabulous Mommy and Daddy!!!! You guys rock!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!! Hope the day was a good one!

Me said...

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY Kayla!!!

You were one of the first kids I read about when I first came online to find out about DS and join message boards. There were 3 kids that really stood out and you're one of them1 I can't beleive you're FOUR already!! I hope one day you and Kaia can meet, you sound soooo much alike!

Hope you had an AWESOME day!

Mayhem And Miracles said...

Oh! You made me cry! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA!!! I will have to keep note of her birthday...I just saw the CUTEST thing and I thought of Christmas....but that's so far away. I haven't been blogging much lately and have missed checking in on ya'll. It has been crazy here! (But in mostly good ways.) Praying for that little baby your carrying and for all of you. I still need to e-mail you when I get a good enough chunk of time. Thank you, again, for the gift. That was SO SWEET of you. The kids devoured your treat! (And I made out a hand-written Thank You note, but the house has gotten way out of control and I seemed to have misplaced it before making it to the post office.) If there is anything at all redeeming in having all my kids in school next year (which I mostly have just been crying over), it will be getting to finally order all of our paperwork after the disorganization fiasco! O.K. Sorry for the novel.

Mayhem And Miracles said...

BTW, I have been working with Rebecca on re-designing my site. She is a sweetie. Thanks for the reccomendation.

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th Birthday Kayla!!Your are such a sweet little girl!I hope you have a wonderful birthday1
love,
mimi

My Trendy Tykes said...

Awww! Hope she had a great bday!

Linda

Calico Sky said...

You know Michelle, I was feeling so sad today and I came and checked your blog and saw the amazing Kaya, and boy did she make my heart smile.
She is an amazing girl, truly amazing!

Becca said...

Happy Birthday Kayla and congratulations to you on your pregnancy! Many blessings to you and yours!

Renee said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Michelle,
I loved the recap of the last year! What a great ideal!

Gracie said...

Very sweet and I loved the pictures! Harry Birthday Kayla!

Glad I stopped by your blog!

K.T. is Mommatude said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!!All of that is soo wonderful!!!


BTW,I tagged you for a meme on 8 little known facts about yourself.

Sue said...

Wow! Time sure flies. Happy Birthday Kayla! It's so hard and emotional and exciting to watch them grow up! That was a very special post!

I'm sure you enjoyed her special day!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to my great niece, Kayla. She has grown and learned so much these past four years! She is beautiful all around. Love, Great Aunt Debbie or as Kayla calls me, "Aunt Bebbie"

Anonymous said...

What I wonderful list of acomplishments! She had a very exciting year and I hope there are lots more to come.

Linda said...

Wow, She is beautiful very fitting blog title with those big blue eyes. Happy Birthday.
Blessings

Laura said...

Happy Birthday Sweet, Beautiful Big Girl. I can't believe you are 4 already!

Overwhelmed! said...

Happy 4th Birthday sweet Kayla! You are such an amazing little girl! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th Birthday Kayla! I hope you had a wonderful and special day.

A very sweet post Michelle. Kayla will definitely cherish this.

I know what you mean,They do grow in the blink of an eye!

Thanks for stopping by and your birthday wishes!
Hope you have a great Monday!

Anonymous said...

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Kayla......Happy Birthday to you!"

Sorry it's a day late, I went to England!

Shannon @ Gabi's World said...

Happy Birthday, Kayla! Boy what progress she has made this year.

Anonymous said...

Happy, happy birthday Kayla. May all your dreams come true.

(Yes, I stole that from the Red Robin's birthday song. Now you know where my 4-year old loves to go).

Seriously, happy birthday Kayla, and congratulations to you.


Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/

http://www.mikeleonen.com/

Robin Green said...

What a very sweet post. Happy birthday to Kayla--love the pictures and the Kayla tribute! Just lovely.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to the most precious wonderful girl!!! Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet baby!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hope your sweet daughter had a great birthday!
Have a blessed week.

ann said...

Kayla is beautiful and what a beautiful mom she has to write so well about her life! Those are times that you'll remember forever and it will be fun for her as she gets older to be able to read about how she "was" as a little girl! My little girls are all grown and have babies of their own but I remember those beautiful times with my babies. Thank you for sharing Kayla in such detail! You helped bring back many happy memories for me!
annb

Tammy said...

Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!!
Happy Birthday sweet Kayla!!!
Happy Birthday to YOU!!
<(:-D)

Sandra said...

Happy Birthday to sweet Kayla, hope she has many many more.

Beautiful post Michelle!

PastormacsAnn said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! It's been such a blessing getting to know you this year.

Many blessed happy returns of the day!

Sara said...

Oh Happy Birthday sweet girl! Wow 4 already..hard to believe! I hope you had a wonderful day full of magic and suprises :)

andria said...

That was such a good post! A great way to remember so much.

I go away for a week and lots happens! Congrats on the baby! Good luck with it all.

Mama Mia said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! I love visiting your blog. It brightens my day! You have such a wonderful mommy!