Two girls. Two cats. And one husband...: An open letter to my oldest...

Dear Hannah,
This past Sunday you turned four and truly I am in shock. Not so much in that you are, indeed, four, but where has the time gone?!

I remember that day in early June 2007 when I actually found out I was expecting you...well, didn't know it was YOU at the time but soon I would. I had soo many emotions that day from shock to happiness to anxiety to amazement to all that's in between. You see my journey to get you wasn't expected...Mommy struggled to have a baby. I was lucky though because, in the end, I had you...my beautiful, independent child.

And the journey of fertility problems and countless negative tests was worth it b/c I became a mom to you.

Fast forward to the day we found out you were YOU! I convinced myself you were a boy b/c I just thought it was what we were "supposed" to have for the first child....but the tears and laughter that accompanied when the ultrasound tech said GIRL was proof that you were, indeed, meant to be Hannah Dianne Hartigan. Grandma Dianne was there that day with us and so was Grandpa Bob...in spirit but I knew your Grandpa was shining down on us and you...afterall God gave us you (like the book I read you often).

Words cannot describe the day you were born...you didn't exactly come out as I expected but then again I learned LIFE was never to be expected again. To hear your cries was the best sound in the word...that followed by your Daddy saying "Sarah! She's out and she looks to be 9 pounds!" LOL! Only to discover you were just 7 pounds, 2 oz. And all of it was pure love from me to you (and Daddy too).

Now that's not to say we weren't scared out of our minds to take you home and didn't know quite what to do when you'd cry for two hours straight, at night, when we wanted to go to bed. BUT we learned and figured it out...all because we knew YOU were our precious, wonderful gift.

Earlier this week you turned four years old and I cried. Yes, I did...not in front of you but in the shower after you went to bed that night. I always knew I wanted children and to have you (AND your sister) is....well, I can't quite put into words...

I am so proud of you b/c you are thoughtful, kind, and most of all, 100 percent YOU! And you do know your manners! =)

I love you Hannah Dianne Hartigan and whatever the next 4, 10, 20, 30 years brings....I am so happy to have you as my child.

Love ALWAYS and FOREVER,
Mom