Never A Dull Moment: Abby turns 6!

Dear Abby,
Six years ago today you made your entrance into the world. You weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and had a head full of black hair. You love hearing the story of how Daddy took a pink bow into the delivery room. You have been wearing your bows ever since. You had a whole waiting room full of people waiting on you that evening. Everyone agreed with Mommy and Daddy that you were beautiful! You rarely cried at the hospital and Daddy and I thought we had it made. After we came home the first 3 months were hard. You had colic and you were very fussy every evening and night. You were perfectly healthy other than a little tummy trouble. We tried everything from different formulas, sleeping in carseats and swings, gas drops, a little cereal, etc. We did it all. Finally at 3 months just as the doctors assured me it stopped. Magically one night you begin sleeping 12 hours a night. After that you were the easiest, happiest baby ever.

Abby, you are such a one of a kind little girl. You are so smart! You catch on to everything so quickly and never forget a thing! You were talking in full sentences and able to carry on a conversation by 18 months and you could already count to 13. You knew all your colors and shapes by 2. You could retell all of your favorite stories to us as if you were reading the book. You have always been a little shy and slow to warm up to people. You like a lot of structure in your little world and do not like change. There is also a very strong willed side to your personality that only your family sees. I constantly remind myself that strong willed children make leaders. You have always been such a little helper to mommy and daddy. It's hard to believe that you were still just a baby when your brothers came along. (not even 3) You adusted so well. Mommy wouldn't have made it without you. You knew where everything was and brought me things all the time. You were very good about sitting with the boys and singing or talking to them while I made bottles. You were a great big sister from day one.

Abby, Daddy and I are constantly amazed at the changes in you and how you have become such a big girl. Physically, you have changed tremendously. You have grown taller and are very slim these days. No more little dimples from your baby days. You have beautiful, long light brown hair that you sometimes like to wear without a bow these days. :( You are still a very girly girl who loves to dress up but lately you like the older looking clothes too. You love your miniskirts, boots and jeans. After 3 years of dance, you have become very graceful. You dance beautifully and we feel that you show a real talent for it. You have come a long way from the 3 year old that could barely jump and get her feet off the floor. You have matured so much this year since starting kindergarten. Daddy and I were amazed at what an easy transition that has been. You started a new school where you didn't know anyone. You made friends so quickly. You have a whole circle of little girls that you love to play with. We enjoyed watching you interact with all of your friends this year at your birthday party. You were just a little social butterfly.

Even though you love being with your friends you still love hanging out with mommy and daddy. You have always been somewhat of a daddy's girl. You two have your own special traditions. Each year you two go shopping together for mommy's birthday. This year you and Daddy started a new tradition of spending the day at work with daddy and attending his work Christmas party. You talked about that for days. Mommy is glad that you are a girly girl. You enjoy doing girly things with mommy. We have already had our nails done together several times. We take any opportunity we can to sneak away for a "girls only" day.

Abby, I can't believe that 6 years has gone by since the day you were born. We will blink and you will be a teenager. We love you so much and are so proud of the big girl that you have become.

Happy Birthday Princess!
Love,
Mommy