Happy 36th Birthday to My Sweet Jennifer

When your Dad and I got married I knew I wanted to have a child. So three months later when I found out that I was pregnant I was so happy. I can tell you this; I loved every minute of carrying you for nine months and 2 weeks. Even though I was to the point that I thought I was going to be pregnant for the rest of my life, I still enjoyed it. In the 70’s when you were born the doctors didn’t do sonograms unless there was a problem with the pregnancy. Since I was not having any problems my doctor chose not to do a sonogram. So I didn’t know whether you were going to be a boy or a girl. Your Dad convinced me that we should have a boy first so that’s what we were hoping for.

But when you arrived and I found out that you were a girl; I was secretly very happy. (That’s you on the left and your cousin Jarred on the right.) I always thought it would be fun to have a mini-me running around.

I thought I would share some photos of you growing up. I can’t believe all of the studio pictures that I had taken. You were unbelievable when it came to taking pictures. On our way to the studio you would be crying and as soon as the lights came on and the camera started flashing you would just smile.

In one of your pictures you may see a tear in her eye but you still had a smile on your face. How could I resist buying the pictures when you were so cute?

You loved your cousin Jarred who was born the day after you and your Aunt Jackie and I both had the same doctor and we were in the same hospital room. You grew up just like brother and sister and fought just like it too. 🙂

You were always such a social butterfly and you always loved playing with your cousins

neighbors, and friends.

And I’m happy to say that you still are a social butterfly and you never seem to meet a stranger.

Sorry about not having more pictures of you as a young teenager. I must’ve been too busy with working and Joshua. Oh speaking of Joshua, when John and I were trying to tell you that you were going to have a little brother or sister. We were both so afraid that you would be upset. I still remember when we told you. We were leaving Cholita’s Mexican Restaurant and I turned and said what if I were to tell you that I’m going to have a baby. And you said, “Mommy, I’ve always wanted a brother or sister.”

I was so happy and you were the best big sister; helping to take care of Joshua even going as far as to stay up with him when he was sick. We would take turns rocking him when he didn’t feel well.

Then as history repeats itself you also had always wanted to have a child and when you got married and announced you were pregnant, we were all very happy. Even though you knew the pregnancy was high risk due to your high blood pressure. You went to a high risk doctor for your checkups and tried to do everything he told you to do, but your body had other plans and the doctor put you in the hospital. I remember driving to the hospital after work and helping you to shower and wash your hair every day. I would tuck you in to bed and then cried all the way home. I just remember I was so frightened that I might lose you. Then I remember getting a call from you on Saturday morning on that Labor Day weekend in 2002 your vital signs and the baby’s vital signs were telling the doctor that you needed to deliver some time that weekend. I remember staying at the hospital from Saturday-Monday when they finally took the baby Caesarean.

And even though Megan was very tiny at 3 lbs. 3 oz. she didn’t have to stay in the hospital too awfully long.

As long as I live I will never forget the question Megan asked you just not too long ago. “Mommy how long have you and Gran Gran been friends?” And I love how you answered her; “since I was born.” I think that is so true, because we pretty much grew up together. I hope you have a wonderful birthday today and always. I’ve loved every single minute of the years even through the ups and downs and don’t ever forget that I will always love you!