A Mischief Night Surprise of Sorts...

On October 30, 2002, I was in labor...a whole four weeks early.

I was not exactly having the greatest day ever.

See for yourself.  I can't even believe I'm posting this, but you truly have to see the misery to believe it.

Lovely, huh?

It was a long 12 hours and preeclampsia complications didn't make it any easier, but I survived and at 10:41 p.m. I got my prize.

That night, for the very first time, I laid eyes upon my Jayden Isabella...and although she was a little groggy from the medicine I needed for my high blood pressure, she was as healthy as could be.

She came out looking just as grouchy as her Daddy.

At 8 years old, Jayden is a very good student in 2nd grade and quite an artist.  She is very thoughtful and kind...yet sassy as could be.  She is a fashion diva to the core.  She is shy at school, but she is the boss at home (or so she thinks.)

I love that she can be a girly-girl, yet climb trees and dig in the mud with the boys.  She doesn't play with dolls or Barbies much.  She is more of a teddy bear girl.  She is a lover of all animals, especially her cat.  She has also inherited her parents' humor and wit, which makes for some hysterical conversations. 

She is still a snuggler and asks me to lay with her every single night before she goes to bed.  She has also entered that lovely phase of life where her front teeth are way too big for her mouth.

We aren't having her party until next week, so we spent the day relaxing, all of us trying to get over colds, and then I took her to Toys R Us to pick out some presents.  She chose a doll stroller and two little doll cribs...one for each of her teddy bears.

On Mischief Night 2002, my life changed forever.  My best friend was born.  I can't imagine my life without her.  As crazy as she makes me, she is an amazing little person.

Happy Birthday, Peachy!

I love you to the moon.