3 years...

Alex asked me to remember what I was doing 3 years ago today. I was starving, swollen, bed-ridden, and drugged. I was 7 months pregnant. I was preparing for surgery: my C-section. And with that came no clue about parenting. I was not ready to meet Clara. I was scared and so sick I didn't care about much. I just wanted to get well. And as things progressed, I realized it really wasn't about me at all after that. It was the struggle to learn and be patient and nurture. Clara couldn't be more perfect today if she had the start that all babies should have; a full term, normal, uneventful birth. Her first home was the hospital. And it's a story I want her to know about, because it was ultimately Clara who got herself through it. Something so tiny was amazingly strong, and I know that's what made me believe that I could be her mommy. And as I suspected, I couldn't write this with dry eyes. She's my life, every breath, and every fiber. I love you Clara Rose. All three years of you!!

5 days old...


1 year old...


2 years old...


3 years old...