8 years ago today: not a birth story...

8 years ago today, I was busy becoming a mommy.  I won't go into the gory details, but the basic points are: 24 hours of labor, emergency c-section, ruptured uterus, one big beautiful daughter.

Olivia Candace was born just after May 28 rolled into May 29th, Memorial Day Weekend in 2004.  This meant that for the rest of my life, the beginning of summer will be celebrated with Miss Liv's birthday.

I learned that some things that you expect when you have kids, happen.  And many things that you don't, happen.

Tony took a turn in the throne.

Having a blast

Oh that cake is looking awesome!

Ice Cream cake

Daddy love

Opening presents

I remember that she looked exactly as I had pictured her.  She had my eyes, my nose, Tony's mouth and smile and his overly long butt crack.  I remember being in awe of how long that crack was.

She was already tall at 22 inches long, and 8 lbs, 7 oz. I hadn't bought any bottles because I was going to nurse my baby. I mean, it was easy and natural right?  Nothing to it.  Except, my milk never came in (well, not until 4 years later when her sister was born).  I remember being in the hospital room with a screaming starving newborn, and not knowing what to do.  The last night in the hospital, I had enough and we decided it was time to use formula.  Overnight she went from 8lbs to 8 lbs, 5 oz.  Decision confirmed.

Olivia was an easy baby after that.  She slept all night at 8 weeks - just after she started getting cereal.  Really.  She was already powering through a full 8 oz bottle per feeding and was hungry rather quickly.  Did I mention that she hit the 95th percentile and has not left it yet?  She was growing and growing fast.

She wasn't much of a snuggler, but liked to observer everyone from the floor.  She would go to sleep once you laid her down in her crib (read:easy baby).

Olivia has grown into a beautiful young lady at the ripe old age of 8.  She loves to read, write and is still my little artist.  She plays sudoku on my phone.  She picks out some of the craziest outfits to wear, and rocks them out.  She is very girly and loves to wear dresses.  She likes dance, but is not fond of ballet.  We will be going back to hip hop soon.  She sings along with lots of songs and it amazes me how quickly she memorizes the words.  She is defiant, stubborn and emotional.

I love this kid more than you can imagine.  She has taught me so much about being a mom.  It's not about what I want her to do - ever.  It's about making sure she knows that she needs to do something and motivating her to do that.  I can't command her, but need her to want to do her task at hand.

Olivia is my oldest and the kid that I will learn a lot of lessons with.  She is half way to driving and only 5 years from a true teenager.  I want so much for her, and hope that the next 8 years treat her well, and teach her much.

Happy Birthday to my sweet and loving 8 year old!