Happy Birthday (Again!!)

Around 6 years ago, Nico and I started considering whether or not a 3rd child would be in our best interest. I had baby fever more often than not. I missed having sippy cups and footie pajamas in the house. We'd just returned from a deployment and most of the spouses in my squadron were either due soon or would become pregnant within a month or so. The pros and cons seemed to fall equal on the scale. We flipped coins, but I wasn't satisfied with tails, and heads seemed to leave us asking "Are we sure?"

I had 2 daughters born in October. The month was approaching that would allow us to "plan" for a third October birthday. We decided that this would be the answer.... we would try, and if it happened in this month, then that would be our answer. So we tried - and 5 years ago, today... Victoria Raye was born.

Happy VERY FIRST Birthday!

I knew early in the pregnancy that her name would be Victoria, and that she'd be my aunt's namesake. What I wasn't 100% sure of was if my aunt would ever get to meet her. Unfortunately, my aunt passed away almost 3 months to the day before she was born. I can remember sitting alone with V in the hospital room, and a moment of sunshine hit her blonde hair and I just cried... thinking how my V already resembled her great aunt so much! 

For 5 years now, Victoria Raye has worked hard to ensure that she will always remain the baby of the family. Stevie and Ava were so easy as babies... but Victoria? Yeesh! 

She does a LOT of this! (still...)

But as with all difficult things, there are calms in the storm when we're able to collect ourselves and take note of the things we love the most about people we are blessed with in our lives...

She taught her sisters responsibility

She completed the picture

She brought them together

Her beady blue eyes :D

The rare moments that induced belly laughter

That sweet, sleeping baby face

The way she absolutely loves her Ava

Happy 5th birthday my love!

I'm so glad that our month of trying turned into you. Despite our challenges with you, there has not been a single night where I go in to re-cover you before I go to bed that I can't kiss you and feel my heart swell because you are mine. I love you, the most ever all.