I imagine you’re dying to know how my confession panned out. No? Well, too bad, here goes. It went well and was relatively painless. My daughter was nervous that she would forget what to say, but it all went fine. I’ll spare you the details till tomorrow because I have more important fish to fry…
Today is her 8th birthday.
My first child, a son, was an angel until about 6. It was all down hill from there for him .He doesn’t like school, doesn’t like his teachers, and usually hates me. He’s a typical 13 year old and a joy to behold!
My second, a girl, was colicky for most of her first year of life. Yes, a full 10 months of sleepless nights, pacing the floors, homemade concoctions of herbal teas in the bottles, and weekly pediatrician appointments where I was crying as hard as she was. The doctors searched for neurological reasoning, but could find none. Then at 10 months- she started speaking- freakishly- not one word- but full sentences. As soon as she could communicate by other forms than screaming- she did. We thought finally, here is our sweet little girl! Until she turned 4. Then the dramatics started. And the whining. And the debating. They haven’t stopped. She is our drama queen and very talented, but tiring!
My third, a humongous surprise pregnancy… apparently there was some celebrating after the 10 month colic disappeared, because 9 months later…what we swore we would never go through again… there she was!
We were scared to death of another colicky baby. We held our breath for her first month of life! She didn’t test us. She was perfect. She was my first child to take to nursing. She slept through the night by 3 weeks. She never cried. Smiled, laughed and giggled early and often (and still does.) Her first words were “what’s that smell?” That always cracked us up.
She’s in second grade and reads at a seventh grade level. She scored in the 96% in her standardized testing this year. She loves to learn and soaks up knowledge from everything around her.
She has a great sense of humor, can make anyone laugh and gets my jokes. She’s secure and happy with who she is and a delight to be with. She’s the peacemaker and gets along with everyone.
She has a raspy voice like she’s been downing whiskey sours, sucking on Marlboro unfiltered, and yelling over the band for years.
As much as I love all of my kids- practice makes perfect and third time was a charm!
Happy Birthday Alayna Brooke! Thanks for renewing my faith in my parenting ability!
It certainly doesn’t hurt that she’s drop-dead gorgeous, either. Happy birthday!
I’ve been blogging about my parenting experiences as well, but not nearly as concisely as you.
Aw how sweet…I totally would have done that if I thought “That” is what I would have gotten…
You make me almost want a third…almost.
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!
Em
How sweet! Does this mean I have to have a 3rd so I can get rid of my honery child thoughts from #2?!?!?
They look like you!
So gorgeous like her mama! Happy Birthday sweetheart!
OMG, my #2 was SO colicky too…rascals!
This is an awesome post! You have absolutely GORGEOUS kids! Happy Birthday!
she is beautiful!!!
Happy Birthday to her!
3rd time was not a charm for me, and I give up!
LOL
She’s gorgeous! I love that last pic in the sand.
Happy Birthday Alayna!!
I cannot wait to hear about your confession (heh)
cupcake sweet! she sounds amazing. I am assuming you figured you would never in a million years top this child and so you stopped?
Happy Birthday!
Happy 8th birthday, pretty girl!
Well Happy Birthday for sure! You have a bunch of great looking kids there, and sounds like you’ve been doing a great job too!
I, fortunately I think, am unable to speak of parenting, but I know a good one when I see one, and you seem to have done a good job, so happy unbirthday to you!
happy birthday to laynie jane! what a great tribute to a great girl.
awwwww, pure sweetness right here. Happy bday to your lil girl!
happy 8th birthday..she is beautiful!
Happy Birthday to her…she is such a cutie!
Happy Birthday #3!
I love how you describe her voice. LOL You’re too funny!!
My first time commenting….oh my gosh you have gorgeous children, all of them. I love the different personalities. I am raising two teenage boys so I understand the teenage attitude. Gotta really love it some days
Aww Happy Birthday lil Tena #3.
And I LOVE the Halloween pics.
Also thanks for scaring the shit out of me about how my son will turn into the devil and hate me. Thanks Tena!
Happy Birthday!! She is a cutie pie for sure!
She is adorable- and a happy birthday to her!
My Child #5 was a surprise, and I believe resulted from similar circumstances to yours, considering he is 18 months younger than Child #4 (aka Spawn of Satan)- he is the sweetest, most easygoing, good-natured child I have. I cried at the OB/GYN office and my doctor swore the surprise one at the end was always the best. Maybe he is on to something!
How sweet!