Recollections...

Over a year ago, I got the fever. A burning desire, deep in the pit of my soul to cradle a newborn. To cuddle up with feet pajamas, and breathe in the sweet scent of baby lotion! I didn't want just any newborn... no, I wanted another one of my own. Was I crazy? Could I possibly handle three children? What's three? I have several friends who have at least three (if not more!) My husband's mother had four kids... I could do this, right?

Nicolas and I sat down and budgeted. We talked money, purchasing a new vehicle to have room for everyone... it was financially do-able. We laid in bed and talked into the late night about adding to our brood. We even flipped a coin to see if we should, or shouldn't. Finally, I said you know what? We'll put it in God's hands. We'll try for ONE month, and if it happens, it happens... if it doesn't, then that's our answer. So we picked the month (I chose it, so the due date would line up with the other two girls' birthdays... October.) and we tried. And we succeeded.

I kid you not, when I found out I was pregnant, I knew it would be a girl. I knew I would name her Victoria. I knew that I would lose my aunt before she was born. I wanted so desperately for her to have met her namesake.... but there's an odd feeling deep inside that somehow - Vicki lives on, in her.

So here we are, a year to the day after giving birth to my sweet Victoria Raye. What a trying year this has been! She was not an easy baby... She's temperamental, needy, clingy, demanding... already learning defiance from her 4 yr old sister! But gradually, she has emerged into a lovable, laughing, HAPPY 1 year old. She's currently got 8 teeth (with two molars about to pop through.) She can crawl, stand, walk while holding on to things, and climb! She loves loves LOVES her big sisters... She gave up the bottle at 10 months, sleeps with her paci and blankie, totally digs apple juice and fruit loops...

Happy Birthday to you!

Looking back, there were days when I wasn't so sure I was going to survive being the mother of three children. Looking ahead, I can't wait for all that their lives have in store for us :D I love my girls!

You should live in a zoo!