Happy Birthday, Sweetie #1!!

Twenty years ago today, my life changed ... more than I could ever have imagined. A little girl was born to Mr. H and me. We became parents. As much as we had prepared and thought we knew about what being a parent meant, boy, were we shocked!

I thought babies loved to be held and rocked. It took me about 3 days to figure out that this child had her own personal bubble of space, and she didn't like to share it much. Once I understood that, I became a much more observant mother. This little person knew what she preferred at the age of 1 week!

Today, I got down her baby book to look for some pictures. After a while, I noticed there were several pumpkin pictures. Right after she was born, I called her my "little pumpkin" for about a month. My grandmother heard me and warned me to be careful about that: some names stick! I stopped with the nickname, but I think it may have sunk in a bit!

This was just before her 2nd birthday.

This is not a pumpkin picture, but it has always been one of my favorites! She did not want to get up that morning!


I think Mr. H's parents got this pumpkin for her. She really liked it.


The pumpkin theme continued. Here she is as the pumpkin princess. (Yes, I made the dress, and we kept it for several years until the green part completely unraveled.)


This is a picture she took of herself. It's one of my favorites. (She was home sick and got bored!)


I'm glad that she's my daughter and even more glad that she's my friend. She has turned into a beautiful lady, inside and out. She is a great writer, too.