Happy Birthday Olivia!

Dearest little daughter,
Do you remember that I was giving Dad a haircut when I went into labor with you?
I couldn't stand up to finish, and Dad insisted he wasn't going to the hospital with only half a haircut
so Gramsie had to finish up for him!

After 9 months of longing to meet you, and a couple hours of really hard work...

You finally arrived!

And that was the last I remember of celebrating Saint Patrick's day, because celebrating YOU every year
has been so much more joy-filled and important in my life!

 On this morning, five years later, you rose before the sun.
I requested that you wait a bit (please) before commencing with festivities.
-Say, at least until there was enough light to see without a flashlight?

 Look at those morning faces!

And here's my girl learning to braid Friendship bracelets...

Enjoying some birthday phone calls

This year...
Daddy's traveling.
It's snowing outside.
You chose pink instead of purple.
Wanted a hot glue gun...
and sewing box.
Got a hand-made spoon Clayton lovingly fashioned from a tree burl.

...and ate your pink cupcake with it, I might add.

The party consisted of 3 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 momma, 4 Cousins, 1 Auntie
and 1 unidentified sibling in the secret place.

For only 2 families, it equaled 1 large-ish party!

This is that 1 Auntie and I together five years ago minus 5 months

And again 6 months later...

Now this.
Hm.
I doubt we really know what we're in for long-term.

I'm not showing you a current picture of us because we look pretty tired at this point ;-D

The cupcakes were a hit though, and the party-ers really knew how to have a good time!

This one says it all, doesn't it?

Apron that Auntie Hannah made for O

Good bye cousins!
Thank you so much for sharing Olivia's day!

Olivia Honor mine....
You are my songbird.  My cuddler.  My artist.
Today you are smack-dab middle in order of birth - a place which seems easy to overlook
especially being one so obliging and easy.
But you are not to be unnoticed!  Oh NO!  For one thing Olivia, you are lovely in every way.
Beautiful to look upon, and gentle of spirit.  You are a delight to your daddy and I,
and such a precious friend to (and for) your siblings.

I love you so very much sweet daughter and beloved friend.

Happy 5th Birthday little lady!