The Big 0h-4

The day started out with a big girl running into her mommy's room saying, "It finally my birfday!!!"  When we got ready to head out for the day, she looked like this...

After a quick trip to Christy's, she came out looking 4 years older instead of like a 4 year old.

Daddy came and we went out to lunch and to the movie "Brave".  After that we stopped at the grocery store to pick up the cake and supplies for the party.  We also had to stop for some ice cream!!!  Then, there was a great party at Mommy Juju's...with cake and more ice cream...

And the best part is that we are in it together.

From 0 to 10

Never has going from zero to ten made such a difference in my life.  The zero on the right (and yes, the OCD in me is now wishing they were on the left...just for the linearness of it) was purchased by Lauren's Mommy Juju in the early fall of 2008.  The tens on the right were purchased by me in February of 2012...because Mommy Juju bought the sparkly ones.  I cannot even adequately express how this picture sums up her "bigness"...but even at the same time, I cannot beleive that my whole world exists in something that fits in either of those shoes.

No matter what, though, we are in it together.

Snow Day!!!

We had a snow day today!!! Lauren and Lexi went outside to spend a little time together..

She even got to spend some time on the slide and the swing set.

And, yes, that's my girl making her snow angel face down!!!

So glad that we are in this together!!!

The 42 Month Version

...to those of you that are mathematically challenged, that would mean that baby girl is three and a half years old today.  She came into this world in a stubborn, stubborm way.  The NICU doctors described her as the most easygoing and laid back baby they had ever seen.  Ever since then she has been that way.  To this very day, she is the easiest to get a long with.  She can go with the flow.  She is so adaptable.  She is my little love.  I couldn't imagine my life with out her.  We are in this together for many, many, many more of these to come.

PS - for those of you who don't know, I have took a picture of her in this chair every month on her birthday for the first year of her life.  Since then, we have marked the half and regular birthday with the tradition.  To see the entire progression of her growth, visit the album on my Facebook page.

Just had to share...

I am finally getting around to ordering pics that my friend, the lovely and talented Amy Rockwell, took of Lauren and I this summer.  This one is my fave...I just had to share because I love it so much...

And then I have to share this one because I love it so much, too....

And I could not leave this one out...

3

The tradition that started on the day she was one month continues.  On the 20th of every month for the first year and then on the "big" ones after that, Lauren has gotten her picture taken in the rocking chair.  What a way to see her grow.  But it only shows her outward growth.  You can't see how she has grown in her thoughts, her actions, her words and her love.  The things she thinks of amaze me.  Everything she does amazes me.  The words she can say amaze me - my current favorite it flamingo.  Her love amazes me.