my beautiful, my Rylee

Once upon a time....

my husband and I became...parents.. 

Little did we know how fast it all would happen.

3 wonderful years together, a long engagement, purchasing a house, college graduation.. and then...pregnancy

...an unplanned pregnancy...

I was scared. I was so nervous. I wasn't sure I was ready to be a mom.

I didn't know the first thing about how to care for a baby.

So, I did what I do in any situation that I become nervous about...I prayed.

 I knew that this was God's plan. He would take care of me and my baby.

I remembered something my mother had always said since I was old enough to remember, "everything happens for a reason".

So, during pregnancy, I read every book about growing a baby bump, giving birth, and parenting that I could get my hands on.

I learned things I never even heard of...like: poop color, diaper rash, cord blood donation...I mean you name it, I read it.

And then, on February 1, 2007, I met the beautiful little girl I had been falling in love with.

I remember every moment about the day she was born.

The winter chill, the traffic on the way to the hospital, every family member rushing to meet the new baby, the sound of her first cry, the first time she looked at me, the blanket wrapped tightly around her tiny fragile body, and the first time I held her.

..it is forever etched in my memory..

I remember our first night together - I snuggled her close to me and told her these words...

"my Rylee, I promise to always love you and care for you no matter what"

My heart was complete.

From the moment I first met her, I fell in love.

My first born. My daughter. My beautiful little Rylee.

...from a sweet angelic baby to a little diva rockstar...

Happy 5th Birthday Rylee!