The next time she opens her eyes, she will be ten.
Ten years ago, her nursery was ready. Jungle animals and vines, monkeys hanging from the ceiling. We’d poured all our nervous excitement into her room. We didn’t know she was a “she” yet. Todd wanted to be surprised. We spent many hours in her room before she got here. Rocking in the glider rocker. Todd in the chair, me on the matching ottoman, my back resting on his lap. He’d run his fingers through my long hair as Kenny Loggins lullabies played in the background. I would drift happily in and out of sleep, watching the jungle animals turn softly in the warm early summer air, loving our baby so very much already.
Todd was the first to know about her. We’d been trying. I took a pregnancy test, and when the line didn’t turn pink instantly, I came out of the bathroom dejected. I curled up in a ball on our bed and waited to be consoled. Todd gave me a hug, and excused himself to use the bathroom. I continued to lay there, feeling sorry for myself, waiting for him to get back to console me some more!
The next thing I knew, he was in the room,
“You might want to take another look at this,” he said, holding the stick I’d peed on.
The line had turned pink.
I leaped from the bed, screaming, jumping up and down. We hugged and laughed, and cried.
We were deleriously happy.
Tucking her in to bed tonight she was so excited about her birthday tomorrow. She asked me to tell her a story. I told her the one about this couple who wished for a baby. The one about how her daddy knew about her first.
I told her God thought her up, and said, “She’s perfect,” before sending her our way.
I told her how lucky we are to be her parents. How incredibly blessed we are to have her for our little girl. How no other little girl would ever do.
Todd has to work tomorrow, so the only time the four of us will be together is in the morning before Seth leaves for school. The places are set. The presents are wrapped and on the table. We’ll have cupcakes for breakfast.
The birthday girl dreams.
May all her wishes come true.
Aw! Cupcakes for breakfast–you are the best mom! Happy 10th awesome girl!
Happy Birthday, Riley. We are all so blessed for having you here.
And what a lucky little girl she is to have you as her mama. I mean, cupcakes, and for breakfast? Wow. Happy birthday, Riley!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RILEY!!!!
We will bbq in your honour, making our own beef burgers with broccoli salad on the side and cake for afters.
Have a wonderful sunny day! 😀
Love
Amanda
Happy double-digits to the beautiful birthday girl!
Happy Birthday sweet granddaughter.
Love and hugs Gramma Annie
happy birthday to your beautiful girl!!!
Cupcakes for breakfast! My kind of family!
Happy birthday, Riley. May this be the best year of your life. May all your dreams come true.
xox
Made me cry! Such a beautiful story, every aspect of it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RILEY!
Love,
Your Biggest Fans
The big double digits! Happy birthday, sweet girl. And congrats, Mama!
Happy Birthday Riley!
What a wonderful story. Happy, happy birthday to your sweet Riley!
Happy 10th Birthday Riley!
~From Uncle Donny and soon-to-be Aunt Kristen
=)
Amen! And Happy Birthday to your BEAUTIFUL little girl! We all love her, be sure to tell her. We are all sending birthday blessings her way.
🙂 oxoxo
Happy Birthday Riley! Hugs from all of us, and a doggie kiss or 2.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Riley! Ten already. Wow.
what a beautiful post. really beautiful. i know i’m going to blink my eyes and benjy is going to be 10. why can’t time just SLOW DOWN?
All blessings to Riley and you all. Much happiness and many cupcakes for all!
10! Happy Birthday Sweet Riley! You are a gift to all of us! XOXO
Happy Birthday Riley! Happy Day, O’Neil Family. 🙂
Double digits means double the dreams, yes? 😀 Hope Riley’s day was magical and the year ahead is full of the wonders of discovery and growth, delights and joys. I already KNOW it’ll be filled with the love of her family and so many who hold her in their hearts though we’ve never met IRL.
Beautiful! I commend you on cupcakes for breakfast. A perfect start to Riley’s big day.
Happy Birthday to Riley! Hope it’s a lovely day for all of you. xoxo
Happy Belated Birthday Riley! I hope you had the best birthday yet!!
Hugs sweet girl 🙂