Happy 14th Birthday, Baby Girl!

Fourteen years ago, our baby girl was born. And it was a day just like today, here, in Louisiana -- very muggy, raining off and on, and so thick with humidity that you can actually see the water droplets hanging in the air. Oh, but didn't the sun come out that night with the birth of this little one!!! She's not your typical middle child and I think that we're all a little more blessed because of it! I KNOW that we're a little more blessed because of her. It took a while, a few weeks.... before she would let anyone around her. She was a Mommy's girl and cried incessantly (for no reason the doctor could find) unless she was attached to me. That was a tough few weeks and it felt like it was just she and I "against the world", but once she came out of that...... she's made it her mission to love and try to make everyone happy! She's a contrast in opposites, so there's no putting her in a box -- even though many people try!

Ever since she was a baby, she's always been a reflective little one....

I think she looks just like a porcelain doll, here -- so angelic...
"I pit-tee, Mommy?" , she asked. (I had just given her a bath and blow dried her hair, here.)She gets her naturally curly, frizzy hair from her mommy (look at her eyes in this picture! Just cracks me up!)but since she turned 5, is such a Daddy's girl!!!

When she's on, she is ON! And usually has everyone laughing with her.

But is still the sweetest, most caring little girl, you may ever meet.

Keeps her eyes open in the face of danger! (That's her in the front - on the right!)

Studious, even at an early age (okay, SOME of the time!!!) But when she concentrates, she's fairly brilliant! At other times... she just "spaces out" and becomes "blonde" (again, like her mommy!)

When she's tired, she doesn't wait for you to tell her "bedtime" -- she's never been worried that she's going to "miss" something because she knows that she's the party!

Will be a wonderful help meet, one day, for her future husband.

Loves to read! This took a while, but once she started to like it.....

Did I mention that she can be a very reflective little one...

at other times, she's all about being the star -- but doesn't mind sharing the limelight!

She is the main source of our "photo shoots" taking sooooooo long! (But I do love getting these spontaneous, happy pictures!!!)

Did I also mention that she likes to read? Nancy Drew is her absolute favorite!!!
There is just no way that the camera can capture the life she embodies and all the gifts she shares with us -- the laughter, the tears, the love......the pure aggravation (no, she's not perfect!)

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

We love you so very much~~~~Mommy, Daddy, Big Sister, and Little Man