It is my baby girl’s birthday today. Where have the past 20 years gone? Amazing!

I remember rushing toward the hospital. My daughter was 11 days late and my in-laws were driving me nuts with calling twice daily and being oh so “funny” in making jokes about it. Anyway, it was 6.30 am when I knew labor had started. I thought it might be a good idea to start getting ready slowly. You never know when the contractions get closer. But I just put my toothbrush into my mouth when the next one showed up. They already came all 5 minutes. I threw my husband out of bed and called the hospital so that we would come in quickly. The contractions came all 2 – 3 minutes during the drive. My husband got slightly nervous. I just guessed from his stare gaze and constant asking about the intervals. Sorry, I was a little busy with breathing and did not check the time permanently!

When we arrived at the hospital at 7.15 am I hurried towards the labor unit between the contractions. Once there they checked everything and with the perfect timing, my water broke. They did not even send me to walk around. Just a quick visit of the restrooms and then into the delivery room but asap. It was planned that I give birth in water and the tub was even prepared. But when they checked me again the baby was ready to come. No tub time! At 8.22 am my daughter and first child were born.

3 on her first day in Pre School, Williamsville, NY

3 1/2 with her baby brother in Williamsville, NY

4 in front of the World Trade Center in September 1999

4 1/2 with her broken arm (just to make sure: she is smiling in this pic)

8 She wrote a short story that was chosen for a book with 100 short stories all written by kids. Yes, my daughter was a published author before mom gave it a try.

9 after a ski race

11 Volleyball season

11 Back home in Western New York with brother Jason.

13 singing a duet at the baptism of her nephew in Vienna (together with mom).

15 on a ride on Lake Constance

16 at Graduation

17 vacation in Turkey

17… no comment

And now 20 years later…

I am not the kind of mom who has problems with letting her kids go. I want to see them develop and become self-confident and self-dependent people. That’s why I am very proud of my daughter. She will make her way for sure. But nevertheless, this all reminded me of a song from ABBA. I watched the Mamma Mia movie together with Vanessa many years back and it was quite a challenge to keep it together when this song came up.

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

I will be busy today due to my daughter’s big party. I apologize that I might not be able to read any posts today. But I will make it an effort to reply to your comments. My weekly review will be posted tomorrow. Thanks bunches for your understanding. See you all tomorrow for sure. Have a great day,  guys! Love you all!

In Love and Light