Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Princess Kennedy

Five years ago today, after 27 hours of labor, 3 hours of pushing, all to end in an emergency cesarean, the most beautiful baby I had ever laid my eyes on was placed in my arms. She was perfect.

For the first 3-4 months of her life, she cried. A lot. The poor thing had colic. Many of our sleepless nights were spent driving around, swinging her car seat back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... ripping our hair out... trying to get her to just stop crying and go to sleep.

















But after about 4 months, she was an angel all the time. And slept through the night every night.

She learned her first sign (sign language) by the time she was 8 months old ("milk").

Took her first steps when she was 12 1/2 months.


By the time she was 18 months, she knew about 50 different signs. However, when she started speaking more fluently, she decided that was so much easier than signing, so she stopped using sign language.


She loved to "read" stories to herself, make up songs to sing, do all the cute little baby things, laugh a lot, and of course everything she did just melted my heart.

Today she turns 5. Whenever I see small babies I have such a hard time believing that Kennedy actually used to be that small. She's growing up too fast. WAY too fast.

Here are just a few things I love about her:

I love that she makes me laugh. A lot.

I love that she says "Mom? I love you." at least 5 times each day.

I love that she's still willing to give me lots of kisses and hugs in public.


I love that she skips everywhere she goes. And I mean EVERYWHERE.



I love that she still thinks I'm the greatest person in the world.

I love how smart she is.

I love how beautiful she is. Although I'm going to have to ugly her up before she hits adolescence. (Braces/head gear/glasses...)

I love that she makes friends so easily- wherever she goes.


I love that she wants to marry Spongebob Squarepants and/or Phineas (from Phineas & Ferb).

I love how wild her imagination is.

I love that she's girly, yet she loves dinosaurs, transformers and cars.


I love how polite she is to everyone (except her parents) and how well-behaved she is.

I love how nothing in the world has made me happier than she has.


I love you, Miss Kennedy Rae of Sunshine.

17 comments:

Chris said...

She is a beautiful angel child. Holy crap, 27 hours of labor??? She was worth it, wasn't she.

Happy Birthday, Kennedy!

the mom / grandma alli said...

I love this post. I love all the things you love about Kennedy. You know her politeness isn't inborn - it's taught. You're a good mom.

She reminds me so much of you as a little girl - so it's no wonder she is such a "rae of sunshine" in my life too....

I, too, love how she skips everywhere. Happiness just emanates from her and she brings joy to everyone around her. Again, reminds me of you : )

Hope she has a wonderful birthday - and that you get some sunshine for her birthday party!

Jennifer said...

Happy Birthday to Kennedy! Wow, she really is growing up so fast, but is still as sweet, or sweeter, than ever. :)

Heather said...

That is a sweet post! I hope she has a Happy Birthday.... with a little sun, if not I bet her smile can light up any room!

Kristin said...

Oh, Happy Birthday Kennedy Rae! I wish I was there and could party with you!

melanie33 said...

awww, time flies i know...

I bet you can't imagine being any happier right?
well i am here to tell you you can. How? well two is better than one of anything right?
except like migraines, car accidents, burglaries, jobs, and well okay... nevermind.

But be careful when she blows out those candles, girl. you NEVER know what she could wish for.

I would also like to state that I cannot be held personally responsible for anything I telepathically sent her way.

Sara said...

She is gorgeous. :-) What a great post. Happy Birthday Kennedy! Time does fly doesn't it? It's hard to watch them grow up so fast.

And I hear ya on the labor thing - mine with Brad was 40 hrs, almost 3 hrs of pushing. No c-section tho thankfully. They're worth it!

Aunt Kathy said...

Ashley Rae Of Sunshine, Kennedy is a little you! In fact when your mom was here and I spent so much time around Kennedy I called her Ashley most of the time. She is a sweetheart and very funny. She asks the most interesting questions For example:
"Aunt Kathy, what did you look like when you got married?"

Me: "Oh Kennedy, I was beautiful, I had pretty hair just like you and my dress was gorgeous and I had the prettiest veil."

Kennedy: And were you dumb?"

I curled up laughing at that one. I also declined to answer. Did not want to influence such a sweet child!

Disclaimer: My dress was just okay, my hair was just okay, my veil was just okay and yes I was dumb!

Anonymous said...

*sniff* It is so hard to watch them grow up. Taylor is next, on the 28th. So sad! We have a picture of Taylor at the beach and probably at the same age as Kennedy in that pink polka dot swimsuit! Why have we not gotten these girls together yet? I think they were destined to be best friends!

Raising Helm said...

What a beauty! It truly is amazing how fast it goes. Happy Birthday Kennedy-and I do agree you are going to have to work pretty hard, but it will need to be done...braces, head gear, glasses-Hmmm, Good Luck!

ann michele said...

i just love your posts....they are so so sweet.....

Lisa said...

What a cute post! I can't believe we've been out of High School long enough for you to have a 5 year old! So crazy how fast time flies by! Thanks for the post on my blog! The woman in the black jacket in that post is my mom! We do look a lot alike! Happy brithday Kennedy!

me said...

such a cute cute post! you rock...you should write a book. not sure about what but im sure it would be entertaining. and oh how I remember those crying baby days of hers...although she was always so good for me! maybe it was her parents who made her cry all the time..hehe

CAMI said...

Happy Birthday Kennedy

Michelle said...

Kennedy is very lucky to have such a sweet loving mom! and a wonderful Grandma! I love this post except that your labor sounds exactly like mine with Erica...

I love the last picture of your 2.

Very sweet post.

Smiley Family said...

Great post/tribute to Kennedy. She is adorable. You are lucky to be her mama and she is lucky to be your daughter. Crazy how time goes by so fast. Is Kennedy going to get any siblings?? (I hate that I just asked that question, but I still want to know.)

wurstens5 said...

She is so cute! Happy Birthday