My Girl turns 26!

She was born at about 10 pm after 5 long days of false labor. As a end-of-the-year fun trip, our school went to Lagoon (Friday), and I went as a chaperone. None of the rides would let me go, except for the Log Flume, and it was fun to get a little wet on such a hot day. About lunch time, I started feeling strange pains in my back and my principal sent me home. Along the freeway, I stopped 3 or 4 times as the pains became difficult to bear. We waited the appropriate time to go to the hospital but upon arrival was told they were just false labor pains. We went back 2 other times over the weekend with the same results. B had finals and he had to study so we made me as comfortable as possible. On Tuesday, he had a two or three finals, and I stayed home from school. In the afternoon, the pains were getting very uncomfortable and I was just rolling back and forth on the floor trying to deal with it. Becky and Mona came over to check on me, and made me get in the shower, and then they took me to the hospital. They stayed until B finished his finals, and then stayed longer until she came into the world. The midwife did a great job, but I was so tired and actually quite hungry because I hadn't eaten in 4 or 5 days. She came without any anesthetic; everyone said I "went somewhere" to deal with the pain, probably deep within my own soul. It is a joy to remember that day because even though I was hurting, there was a delightful present waiting for me at the end!

These are some of my favorite pictures of my girl.

She is as beautiful today as she was the day she was born.

Bright-eyed, just minutes after being born at Holy Cross Hospital.

2 months old, in a park along the 17-Mile Drive in California. I liked putting bonnets on her.

1 year old with her dolly, Kewpie. Susie would eventually replace Kewpie.

This has always been one of my favorite pictures. She's 2 years old.

Listening to Daddy's heartbeat with a real stethoscope.

Even at 3, she was very physically fit and fashionable.

Fishing with Daddy was always fun. It is a real fishy she caught, but it was too small to cook.

Happy 26th Birthday to my Girl! I love you -- always have and always will.