Five Quick Years

How is it possible that our little baby, born at a mere 3 pounds-10 ounces, is now........................

.................FIVE YEARS OLD!? 

This time 5 years ago we were in shock!  Could not believe that the little one growing in my tummy made such an early appearance - 8 1/2 weeks early.   And now I am in shock again.  This time shocked that 5 years have gone by and now what we have is a little girl preparing to go to school.  

Five years used to seem like a long time.  Like when you are in 7th grade and you think you will never get to be a senior.  Or when you go to college and you never think your graduation day will come.  And then you don't have school and grade levels to measure time and there it goes, faster than it feels like you can live. 

Thinking back to those first weeks of Anna's life, things were uncertain.  We knew that she was strong and could breathe on her own, except when she would forget to.  But we didn't know what the long term implications of her prematurity would be.  Would she have poor eyesight or hearing or would she have trouble gaining weight or height.  Would she have developmental delays.   She amazed us and her doctors and now you would never know that she even started out life with such uncertainties.  

Every year has been better and better but of course not without the typical parenting "learning moments".  Each year is more fun for a different reason.   At two Anna was talking and learning more and more words every day.  At three she was growing up to be a little girl and getting more and more independent.  At four she exploded with new phrases and sentences and learning capability as well as the ability to make new friends and enjoy her "old" friends too.

So what will 5 bring?  I see this coming year as a year of changes and more learning to be had!  She will leave Mary's and head to Kindergarten.  Not sure who will have a harder time with that transition at first.  But we so look forward to seeing our little one in school and seeing her succeed.  

As a write this post in the evening of her birthday I think again about the last five years and marvel at the wonderful memories and the thought of all the exciting things that are waiting for us in the next 365 days!  

Happy Birthday Anna Banana!  Hope you enjoyed your birth day and we look forward to celebrating again on Sat with your party!  We love you so much and can't wait to see what the year brings for you!  Love, Mommy and Daddy