8 years ago today

8 years ago...exactly 8 years right now. Wow.  I stood by the front door, purse and keys in hand, ready to go to garage sales (there were some good ones that day!!) As I said goodbye to Todd, my water broke..thankfully not 10 minutes later...lol
Fast forward...5 hours later, Raelee came into this world. It was a fast labor, thankfully.  I quickly learned what unconditional love meant. I cried happy tears when the nurses put her in my arms. Even then, I didn't know exactly how much joy this baby of mine would bring to my life.

Take a walk down memory lane with me, won't you?

Proud daddy a few minutes after birth.

She spent 8 days (LONG days) in the NICU with apnea. Lots of tests, needles, oxygen, meds later, she is perfectly healthy. :)

 

 

1 year later, she grew into a beautiful, quirky 1 year old.  She loved pulling one arm out of her sleeves. It was so funny. I finally gave up trying to keep both arms in sleeves.

She had a beautiful smile and laugh at 1 year old. She was always such a good baby!

She became such a funny and loving 2 year old. Her 2nd year was such a good year for us!

3 years old...already?? Wow! 

 Raelee DID turn 4, but I can't find many pictures. They are somewhere, but I can't find them..lol

5 years old. I never did think I would have a blond hair, blue eyed daughter....but yet, here she is!!

6 years old

7 years old

And finally, 8 years old

 She has turned into such a bright beautiful young lady. I'm so proud to be her Mom (I'm no longer Mommy..sniff sniff.)  I love her so much. She has been the best child anybody can ask for who loves to color, draw, play with her pets, ride horses and play with her dolls.  I can't wait to see what the next year brings us!