Just you and me...

You are the one who gave me my new identity: Mother.

Almost from the moment your little heart began beating, we became bonded...on our own.

Dad was deployed to Panama, during that little temper tantrum involving Noriega, while I carried you...

Every night, as I lay silently and still....I silently begged you to move.

I loved that feeling... little butterflies spiriting from one side to the other.

Time moved slowly & you grew...

I missed Dad so much my heart hurt... but I had you to distract me.

My every thought revolved around you.

Soon after he returned, you came into this world---shouting at the top of your lungs. I could hear you all the way to the nursery from the delivery room.

We spent the next 7 months alone again... as Dad went to Saudi Arabia.

Incidently---not too nice of you to spend those months coliky.

You are so much different now...

Quiet and serene...

Thoughtful and pensive...

So unlike your newborn-self.

My heart squeezes tight as I imagine how close you are to being on your own.

I'm so not ready...

Even though you are.

Happy birthday, my sweet girl.

~~Mom