Sara is 7

The first of the B4 birthdays is here.  Sweet Sara Grace is...wait for it...7.  Seven.  S.e.v.e.n.  I'll wait for someone to tell me how exactly that happened, because I'm at a loss.

Sara's birth was the only one that happened remotely close to how it was supposed to.  She was a scheduled c-section for June 18, 2011, but due to many health issues  (because, why not) we moved her to 6/10.  But, she was the only delivery that didn't involve any sort of labor (as a c-section mama I wasn't supposed to be in labor due to potential complications, because, why not) so that was a plus in her column.  Another plus in her column was the fact that she came at such a dark time in my family. She was the good to the bad (the bad being her Uncle Joe's cancer diagnosis) she was our light in the dark...she was our "Grace."

Sara was my tiniest baby at birth, with the LOUDEST cry.  She had severe reflux as an infant, RSV and bronchiolitis.  She was the baby who I had to call 911 on because she briefly stopped breathing in the middle of the night.    She was ALWAYS sick, always.  My #3 was more work than my #1 and #2 combined and I was constantly at the doctor with her.  I don't miss these days.

I do miss the  baby Sara smiles.  And the fact that she didn't walk until she was 18 months old.  And the open mouth gummy kisses.  The scrunchy faced smiles. And her rolls.  OMG the rolls.  If I close my eyes just tight enough, I can still see them.  They were delightful.

Sara is better known as Sassy or Sass.  Or Sassafrassafrassasassa.  I don't think I could have given a more appropriate nickname to this child for she does everything sass-ily.  Everything she does,  every word that comes out of her mouth is done with sass.  That Sass gets her in trouble and keeps her out of trouble, too, because the Sass is now presenting itself as this amazing confidence that I've never seen in her before.  I actually could stand to learn from her in this aspect as it's awesome to watch.

So, Sara is ending her first grade year.  She has blossomed in reading this year.  Math is a bit of a struggle (it's math...of course it's a struggle) but she manages.  She is the most social of my children at this age and has a ton of friends.  She is loved by all of her teachers and staff at the school.  

She is still quite dramatic and the stomping of the feet and slamming of doors has started.  Goody!  

Sass is still the apple of her Daddy's eye.  They have a very special bond.  She has an awesome sister-sister bond with Emma.  Alex looks up to her (figuratively, not literally because he's about to be taller than her really soon) and he always goes to her for help.  She adores Jack, and Jack loves her so much....at least I think he may.  Their personalities are polar opposite so there is a lot of clashing as it pertains to my summer children but such is life.  They respect each other and there is love there so that is all I can ask for, right?

And then there's Sass and Mommy.   Sass is my biggest challenge in a way and my easiest most helpful in a way.  The hugs and kisses flow freely with my Sara girl and that's something I hope never stops. She always wants to help me.  She always wants to be near me.  She is, what I lovingly refer to as my "velcro child".  She has such a caring, loving nature.  Such a sweet, sensitive soul.  She loves pink and glitter and kittens and all things very typically girly and pretty and...she is kind of my very own Disney Princess.  Like, if a bird or a raccoon was going to help anyone clean a room, it would be Sara.

I was never sold on the kid thing.  I'm very open about that fact, but becoming a Mom was the single most life altering experience ever.  It changed the way I thought and lived and did anything.  Having 4 kids in 5 years was hard.  Really freaking hard.  But, I amazingly got the exact 4 kids that I wanted.  My #3 is exactly what she needs to be. She is who she was meant to be and I'm so glad for it, because, she may be the one who teaches me the most about parenting, and patience and love and...life.  And for that fact alone, I'm most thankful.

I love you, my sweet Sara Grace with the pretty face.  My Sassy.  Sass. Sassafrassafrassasassa. My baby girl.   My seven year old.  I love you more than you love elephants.



And, as always, And I thank you for choosing me To come through unto life to be A beautiful reflection of his grace For I know that a gift so great Is only one god could create And I'm reminded every time I see your face

Then

Now