Happy Birthday Téa

The little Squirt is six today! Can't believe it. I decided to walk down memory lane for this post so just indulge me. On this day six years ago I was sitting in a hospital bed being induced, anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first child. It went pretty fast; just six hours. To add to the whole experience a really young guy came in with my nurse and asked if he could watch the birth since he was training to be an EMS person. Great...one more person to watch the show...why not? I had two nurses as well since I agreed to do a study that used an extra sensor (they put it on Téa's head in the womb) that would help doctors prevent unnecessary c-sections. It was a little crowded when Téa finally came. There were respiratory specialists standing by because they were worried about Téa's breathing since she had a bowel movement in the womb. When the time actually came for Téa to come they whisked her away to the other side of the room before I could even see her. It took some time coming, but I finally heard her first cry. I was able to finally hold her after about 20 minutes or so. The doctors had sucked out a ton of gunk from her lungs.

Six years ago this whole new world of motherhood began for me. It's been a fun, frustrating, hard, tiring, worthwhile, life-changing, and most amazing experience of my life. I keep thinking how fun the kids are when they are young but I have to say that as Téa gets older I find that our bond as mother and daughter is growing to what I hope will be like the bond I have with my mom. So, Happy Birthday kiddo.

Téa's first picture with her daddy.
Téa's first birthday. We spent it on my dad's boat in the Pacific Ocean. She loved it!
Téa at 2 years old.
Téa at 3. Somehow I was able to get almost the same pose.
Téa at 4.
Téa at 5.
And Téa at 6. Happy Birthday!