It was certainly with me when this beautiful baby girl came into my life 15 years ago today. I've been thinking about the first time we met all day. We got up early the morning of the 16th because Dan Lloyd's brother Donnie was going through the LDS Temple to take out his endowments. The whole way over to St. George I was having terrible stomach cramps. I chalked it up to the banana I'd eaten earlier since they always make my stomach hurt. We got to Enterprise and Dan said "You've been complaining about your stomach hurting every X amount of minutes. I bet you're in labor." Of course, I argued, but he was so panicked about it that I consented to go to the hospital just to be checked. Imagine my total shock when they decided to keep me because, yep, I was in labor. I missed the temple session and had the meanest nurse in the world. Michelle was her name. Last name was probably Kavorkian. Anyway, I'd been hooked up to monitors and the whole nine yards for hours before Dan finally came to the hospital. I wasn't making very good progress. Fast forward hours and hours and hours and hours later. Chels made her appearance just a little after midnight. She took my breath away, she was so exquisitely lovely. Her shock of dark auburn colored hair. Her wrinkly little body. The way she felt in my arms. She was by far my most snuggly baby. Still is. I fell deeply, irrevocably in love with this joyous miracle.
This has been a very interesting day. From an impromptu surprise birthday party (I got a text from Chels' gal pals asking if they could decorate her room and throw her a party) to the sweetest text from Aunt Gina ("Top 'o the mornin' to ya! Here's hoping you have a fabulous birthday. I wasn't blessed with a daughter...but a beautiful and talented niece like you is the next best thing."). We had about a dozen or so giggling teenagers, girls AND boys. They showed up, hid in her room, and screamed "surprise!" when she flipped the light on to put her practice stuff in there. Her response? Scream like a lunatic. They stuck around for a while and I enjoyed the cacaphony coming from the downstairs; made me smile.
I even departed from the traditional green birthday cake. We had rainbow cupcakes with green frosting. Funny how I can figure out how to foul up even a cupcake. Oh well, they were ugly but tasted fabulous.
Chelsea, I love you so much. You are everything I hope to be one day. Sweet, kind, compassionate, gentle, loving, forgiving, great freckles, just everything. No mother could be more thankful for such a wonderful daughter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 15 YEAR OLD POPPY TATER! Are your ears pointy yet? (She was convinced she was a leprechaun when she was 4 and checked the mirror every day to see if her ears had come in yet.)
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