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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Five Years Old

Happy 5th birthday Kayla!

How did you get to be 5 years old already?! 5 years ago you made me a mom - one of the hardest jobs there is out there, but the most rewarding!

There are so many adjectives to describe your infectious personality - energetic, strong-willed, independent, sassy, smart, playful, sweet, caring, sympathetic, loving, care-free, spirited - and those are just the ones off the top of my head!

Your 4th year had a couple of big events. Your daddy deployed and you missed him terribly. It was the first time he was gone for a long length of time; and you were old enough to realize he wasn't here. You looked for him everywhere we went on base, and anyone we passed in uniform was potentially your daddy. The reunion at the airport was so sweet and precious. You wouldn't let go of him!

You also became a big sister and you've embraced that role whole-heartedly! You loved your brother from the moment you first saw him in the hospital. You wanted him to go play in your room the second we arrived home from the hospital. You have shown moments of jealously, and sometimes can be not so nice with him, but you're fiercely protective of him too. We were boarding a plane yesterday and a flight attendant was holding Lucas. As we were walking up you said "Lucas!" and then the pilot came out to hold him, and you got upset. If I could have recorded the tone of your voice calling "No! Lucas!" and stomping your foot when I made you walk the opposite direction to our seats while the pilot still held "your Lucas!"

You're proud of him too - showing him off wherever we go by pointing to his carseat and saying "Lucas" to whomever walks by. But don't let someone peek in the stroller without your consent first! You'll say something like "no! Lucas!" and shut the canopy because you don't want them to bother him.

You went to your first amusement park and rode your first roller coaster and water ride.

You've developed quite a sassy attitude lately and love to tell us "no" all the time; I guess that's because you hear it quite often from us!

You've been known to say, "Naughty spot Mommy! Sit! Now!" and it's so hard not to laugh at you, because you look and sound so cute when you're saying it.

You visited 2 more states this past year - Arizona and Massachusetts.

We attended the first of what will be many national Down syndrome conventions- we'll meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate you and your extra chromosome.

Some days you frustrate me to no end with your listening skills (or lack thereof!) and wandering off, and wanting to do your own thing when you want to do it. But you make up for it with your unbridled enthusiasm over the littlest things. I love hearing you get excited and saying "mommy look!!!" or jumping up and down saying "I did it!"

You'll be headed off to Kindergarten in August and I can't wait to watch you succeed in this new adventure.

Happy birthday big girl - know that you are much loved!





post signature

71 comments:

AnonaMum said...

Happy happy birthday Kayla! May all your birthday wishes come true!

Kim said...

Happy Birthday! Hope your day is a blast!

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

Happy Birthday sweet Kayla! We hope you have a wonderful and blessed day :)

the three amigos said...

Happy 5th Birthday, Kayla! Anna says that 5 is a VERY exciting age!!!

Hugs from Dallas!

Greg, Rachael and Anna Grace

Karly said...

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!

Killlashandra said...

Happy birthday Kayla! I hope you guys have a great time celebrating and enjoy all the cake, ice cream, smiles and laughter. :)

Shannon @ Gabi's World said...

Wow! 5 yrs old already!

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Anonymous said...

What a cutie! Can't believe she's five already... She actually reminds me a lot of my Little Bear, who is also turning five this month!

Anonymous said...

My how time flies...Happy 5th Birthday, Kayla! -Tanya

Melanie D. said...

Great pictures! Happy b-day Kayla!!!
Brenna will be 5 on Monday. Maybe some day they can meet in July and celebrate together!

Katie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA!!! Hope you have a wonderful day :)
Oh Michelle, that was so beautiful i have tears in my eyes, give Kayla a big birthday hug from me.
xxoo

Amy said...

Sweet, precious Kayla...I wish you a very Happy 5th Birthday! You have been such a blessing to me this past year and a half. When I see your beautiful face and your sweet smile it makes me smile. And when your momy tells us what all you are doing it makes me so proud of you! I pray for you and am excited that you are going to kindergarten soon!

You, my dear, are a blessing to us all!

In His Love, Amy

Mom24 said...

Happy Birthday! My 5 year old's listening skills (or lack thereof), are driving me crazy too.

She is so beautiful. it looks like you guys share the same smile.

Anonymous said...

a very happy birthday to 5 year old Kayla!! I am so glad I got to spend some time with you in Boston!! You are such a delight!! and joy and all the things your mommy said about you!!! I love you/love grandma/memaw. :)

Sandra said...

Awww Happy Birthday Kayla, lots of hugs from Jasmine and Nicholas.

May you have many many more and may you continue to be the amazing little girl that you are :)

Hugs,
Sandra

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!!!!!

Barb said...

Five already! Time is just flying by and look at Lucas. He's so big!

Happy Birthday to Kayla. She's a little doll, Michelle.

rylie's mom said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Noel said...

Those are the best pictures and the post is so sweet!!
Happy Birthday Kayla!

Mama Mia said...

Wow! 5 years old! Happy Birthday, Kayla!

AZ Chapman said...

Happy b day Kala

Carole Burant said...

Happy 5th Birthday to darling Kayla!! She has grown so much in the last couple of years since we started visiting each other's blogs and I've enjoyed watching her growth every step of the way with your posts:-) She is a daughter you can be proud of...big hugs to the birthday girl. xoxo

Laura said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Kayla! I'm so glad we were able to celebrate with you in Boston!

Michelle, your entire family is adorable! It was great to finally meet you all!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, sweet girl!!
with love always,
Nisa, Rhi and Nate

Living Life Happy said...

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!! I think you and Kali would be great friends if we lived nearer to each other.

Tammy said...

Oh, a happy 5th birthday to sweet Kayla!!!
(I just love these two pictures!)
Hugs,
~Tammy

Chris said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! Can't wait to hear about the adventures the next year will bring. You've been busy this past year. It's been such a treat getting a glimpse into your life.

Michelle said...

I have a question for you, was traveling with Lucas on a plane hard to do? Would I be insane to do travel with my 5 month old by myself on a plane, it would be about 6 hrs on the plane, 8 hrs total travel.

Jen said...

Happy Birthday princess. The big 5. How exciting.

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday to beautiful Kayla!

Michelle said...

I forgot to put this on my last comment:

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!!!!

StephthefutrRxDr said...

Awww is it weird that I was trying not to tear up reading your post? (I was at work and didn't want to cry lol) Happy birthday to a beautiful girl!

akakarma said...

What a doll, the wonderful no years! Happy birthday! And so much to look forward to!

Tina said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! 5 is SO! MUCH! FUN!

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

AWW - Happy Birthday Kayla!!! What a sweet letter to her! Hope you guys had a fun day.

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

Happy birthday little princess!

What a sweet letter from your Mommy, you can just feel her pride and happiness coming from those words!

This next year will be such a big year for you AND your Mommy. She gets to watch you go off to school and come home so excited with what you have learned.

It's been wonderful watching you grow up these past few months from pictures and videos that you Mommy so selflessly shares with us!

I've learned so much just reading about you, Thank you for letting us here in Denver enjoy in your life!

Warm Blessings and may the stars shine brightly on your dreams.

Jeanette said...

Haapy Birthday Kayla. You and Sydney's Birthdays are only one day apart. May this year be the BEST year yet!!!

PastormacsAnn said...

Happy Birthday Kayla. Praying the upcoming year brings you amazing blessings in abundance.

Christina M said...

Happy Happy Birthday, you will always be our big hero! The first DS blog we found and we have been following you ever since!

Big birthday hug fr Austria

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday sweet Kayla!! Keep on inspiring!!

Hugs all the way from the Philippines,

Cheche

Terri said...

Hey! She has my birthday! Happy birthday Kayla!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Michelle, I also passed on a Blog Award to you. Check my site for details.

Bonita said...

Happy Birthday, Kayla! Celebrate big!

And thank you Kayla's mommy for painting such a beautiful picture of Kayla through your blog so those of us who don't even know Kayla can fall in love with her too!

Laura said...

What a big girl! I know how you feel, where does time go? Kayla, you have been a busy girl in your 5 years. Hope you have a wonderful YEAR, and first year of school!

Tammy and Parker said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! I can't think of anyone I'd rather share a birthday with!

my--four--sons said...

Happy birthday Kayla!!!

Melissa @ Banana Migraine said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!

Julie Julie Bo Boolie said...

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Debra said...

Happy Birthday Kayla. From Hope and Debra and the rest of the Ridgway gang.

Anonymous said...

AWE!!!!
she's soo funny.
can't wait to visit ya'll again

<3 Aunt Kelly

Christina said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! What a sweet letter Michelle.

Kristen said...

Happy belated birthday, Kayla!!! It was SO great to meet you and your family in Boston!!!

Melissa W. said...

53 comments!! WOW-EE! Happy Birthday yesterday Kayla!

The Girls' Mommy said...

Happy Birthday!!!

Julie said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!

Anonymous said...

What a big and beautiful girl - Happy Birthday Kayla!

Kari said...

No she can't be 5 already! That means Tristan will be 5 soon too. Why must they grow so fast? I can't wait to hear all about your adventures in Kindergarten Kayla. Happy Belated Birthday Sweet girl!

Robin said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! She is such a gift!

I totally love how you said you will celebrate her and her extra chromosone! Beautiful!

DeAnna said...

Happy, Happy Birthday Kayla!!!! Its so cute to hear how she is with Lucas. :) Hope her birthday is lots of fun!

Cate said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Happy birthday Kayla!!

Beck said...

Happy birthday, Kayla! She's a beautiful little girl.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday sweet girl! I can't believe you're 5 already!

Overwhelmed! said...

Where does the time fly? I can't believe Kayla is 5 already!

Happy Belated Birthday, sweet girl.

Michelle, this was a beautiful post. I enjoyed reading it and seeing the cute pictures you shared of the birthday girl.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! I'm all teary eyed! Beautiful writing!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl. I remember the first time I found your mommy's writing and I saw your gorgeous blue eyes. Ever since, I come to visit and to read about you and how well you are doing! You're becoming a big girl and the best big sister! Congratulations Kayla!

Anonymous said...

Ooh I am late - happy 5th birthday Kayla! Time has flown xx (Karen, Karen's Ramblings)

Joyfulness said...

Happy birthday to Kayla!! Sorry to be a bit late but I do wish her the best. What a nice post too. I should do this on the kids' birthdays...

Nancy M. said...

Happy Birthday Kayla!!!! Sorry so late.

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

Happy Birthday Kayla! May five be the very best year yet! :)

-Andrea

Mary said...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KAYLA!

Our Story: Continued said...

Happy 5th Birthday, Kayla! What a special way to document your children's years!