Monday, December 16, 2013

{Emily at 11}


Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a Mom. I had no idea how much I wanted it until a year after I got married.  Getting pregnant took over a year - a lot of negative pregnancy tests, a lot of tears, a lot of prayers and a lot of wondering why I could not have this one thing that I wanted most of all.

My prayers were answered one very early morning in March of 2002. One final home pregnancy test before Eric and I began a battery of infertility tests and treatments. I could not believe my eyes when that second line showed up. One tiny little line...and my life changed FOREVER.


Emily Jean Gottlieb was born ELEVEN years ago today. After a very long labor, and then a c-section, she screamed her way into the world.


Emily is an amazing person. She is funny. She is always smiling. She is so bright and shiny, that you can't help but be in a good mood when she's around. I am truly amazed by her every single day. To say that I am lucky to have such a great kid, would be an understatement. Whenever things are not going great in my life, I just think back to that morning when I found out I was pregnant, and how LUCKY I am that this kid, my Emily Jean, showed up nine months later...and I can't help but smile. She makes me want to be a better person.


One thing we have in common - our affinity for rules. Neither of us like to get into trouble, neither of us likes to break any sort of rule. If that sign says, "Don't Enter Here", we don't. I'm sure Paige and Eric - our resident rule breakers - think we're nuts, but that's okay. Our rule loving selves are just fine with that.

Emily always has her nose in a book. She loves to read. A lot of nights, I have to remind her to close her book and go to bed. I remember my Mom doing the same thing to me when I was her age. She loves mystery books, historical fiction and is now getting into the Harry Potter series (after MUCH nudging from me - she's also afraid to try new things).


One of her very best qualities - she is the BEST Big Sister. I have talked about this many times before, but it bears repeating. She and Paige have an amazing bond. They don't always get along, they definitely have their moments...but I know they love each other fiercely and I know they will for the rest of their lives.

How is she like her Dad? That's easy - she is, other than her dad, the most inquisitive person I know. Period. Always has been since she could talk. Our car rides home from day care when she was three were full of questions. "How do you spell bus?", "Why is it raining?", "Where does my teacher sleep"......and that has not changed a bit in all these years. One of her most favorite books...her National Geographic Almanac. A book full of facts.


Emily has never really cared about her wardrobe. I buy her clothes and she's just fine with that. She definitely has her favorites though. I think she has about ten Owl shirts. And she LOVES to wear her PJs.


She also loves school. She loves it so much she has decided there's nothing else she wants to be other than a teacher. She and Paige are constantly playing school at home. I think this goes hand in hand with her love of knowledge. Her favorite subject? This year, I think it's math...but that changes regularly. Last year, I offered her a day off of school for no reason other than to just have a day off...and the thought of missing school for no good reason....she was horrified. Needless to say, she didn't stay home that day. :)


My baby is getting to be a tiny adult - but not so tiny. She is at the top end of clothes for kids. Her face is starting to resemble that of an almost teenager. She has decided that she now cares if she has food on her face, and is asking if it's okay to wear a little make-up. What?? 

I loved her when she was a baby, thought she was a great little kid, a fantastic big kid...and I know that she's going to be an awesome almost teenager. It's been an amazing ELEVEN years my Emily Jean. I love you so very much. Hope you have a great birthday, and another FANTASTIC year!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY!!

Love, 

Mom