Oh my heart.
My kids keep getting older and older and it does really strange things to my heart. When each of my kids have a birthday, I like to re-tell the story about the day they were born….and ahhhh, that’s what gets my heart going. So last week, early morning on March 2nd, Chloe climbed into my bed and with the happiest little whisper declared, “Mommy, it’s my birthday! I’m really 5 now!!!”
She told me she saw all the decorations out in the family room and kitchen and that she KNEW it was true! So, I asked her if she wanted to again hear about the day she came into this world. She grinned and nodded and snuggled in a little closer — while I reminded her how on the morning of her birthday, everyone was nervous she was going to be delivered in an ambulance while I was being transported from my doctor’s appointment to a hospital in Savannah, GA. And how her daddy had to catch a ride from his grad school classes back to our home, to grab my hospital bag (and camera!), and his friend drove very illegal speeds the whole way, in fear he’d miss the whole thing! But I knew the ambulance ride was silly (but my OB insisted because I was dilated to a 7)…because I knew she wasn’t coming yet. It just didn’t feel like she was quite ready. So, I retold the tale of waiting several more hours while she cooked a little longer. Then I reminded her that when she finally arrived, I wasn’t allowed to hold her because she was a whopping 11 pounds, and everyone was worried something was wrong! But nope, I re-explained to her again that she was just a very well fed baby…and even came out pretty quickly!
And then, I reminded Chloe that we instantly fell in love with her, the moment we saw her squishy little face! (Here’s the rest of the story.)
I also reminded her that she was the baby that was born with pudgy little rolls and never wore a newborn size diaper! She always giggles at that, knowing that she was something unique…and pretty darn special!
I think I’ve been saying this since Coco (which is her nickname) was about 2, but she is one SPICY child! She was such a mild baby, who was the best sleeper…but once she realized she had some siblings to compete with, she kicked that little personality into high gear and hasn’t slowed down since. :)
She loves to laugh and pretend and dance and create elaborate stories….which she tells other people as if they are factual stories. When in reality, they are usually completely false. And I laugh trying to think where she even gets these ideas and how she can tell them with such a straight face! (Heaven help me in a few years!)
But this girl has been SO excited to turn five! She has been telling us for months that when she turns five, then she’ll be able to do this and that. Ha! Sweet thing…..you’re FIVE!!!
Per tradition in our family, the birthday child gets to pick breakfast (which is always some sort of sugary cereal), whatever they want for lunch, and then they choose what our family eats for dinner. Chloe picked pizza. Big shocker! ;)
We also don’t ever make any sort of fancy cake because we have the tradition of adding some sort of little toy to the cake….and call it “decorated”. My husband Steve said he had a few cakes like that as a kid and loved it! So we’ve always done the same thing with each of our kids….and they LOVE it! (Plus, it takes some of the added work from me, so I’m all for it!)
This year though, I decided to make a round cake and add candy to the sides, instead of the normal 9×13 pan. And well, the dang little toy didn’t quite fit on top of the cake…..and frankly, looked ridiculous! But do you think Coco even cared one bit? Uhhh, no, because…..BARBIES!! (She really likes dolls, but LOVES barbies! Ha!)
One of the sweetest things she got this year, were a couple things from Elli that she made by hand, working on them everyday after school for weeks. She gave her this cardboard jewelry box and decorated the top for her, knowing that she didn’t have anything big enough to hold her necklaces and bracelets. Elli also made her a little skirt that she sewed together by hand, including a little pocket on the front. For the waistband of the skirt, she used some elastic thread and sewed it all along the top of the skirt, so that it would pull in. Ha, clever! Chloe won’t really be able to wear it, but man, Elli was so proud of that thing! (And I promised Elli that during spring and summer break….I was finally going to REALLY teach her how to sew on my machine! Poor thing has been hand-sewing everything!)
Once Connor saw everything Elli made, he hurried to his room and made something too — the best darn paper snowflake you ever did see! ;)
Our sweet Coco is turning into such a beautiful little person. She really is a lover of life and loves being around people! I’m kind of excited to see what she does with her life….because it should be full of some really good stories!
I’m just still trying to process though, how she’s anything older than 2. Because my emotions are still way back at this age (haha, she’s always been a turkey)!
Happy birthday, sweet girl! I guess I’m finally okay with you turning 5……but, please oh please, never lose that spunk of yours. It’s what makes you, YOU! Thanks for making our family complete, little Coco Bean! :)
-Ashley (aka: mommy to Chloe)
P.S. Thank you blog friends, for humoring me while I share little snippets of “life” from time to time. I used to share them more but as the blog has grown and contributors have started joining me…..this space has morphed a bit. But I still love having a place to share little tidbits of our life. Because moments like these excite me just like sewing stuffed toys, reupholstering arm chairs, and building new kitchen tables do! So, we’ll be back to normal tomorrow but thanks to so many of you for loving on me and my family for so MANY years! (And before I get a little emotional about this blog and how much I have loved it all these years…….I better run! ;) Muah!)
Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!
