happy + birthday: Me!

Put aside the presents, cake, candles, suprises and specialties. Do you want to know my favorite part about my birthday?

The phone calls. Hearing my sweet cousins, awesome siblings, amazing grandparents, fabulous aunts and uncles, loving parents, and wonderful hubby sing "Happy Birthday" makes me the happiest. That made my birthday this year. Nothing is more important than family. And I am so grateful I was not only born to this earth, but born into such a perfect and loving family. And now sealed to a perfect and loving husband.

(mom: all these pics are for you. thank you for my package! and thanks Gma and Gpa for my card!)

I also realized something this birthday: no matter how old you get, you never tire of hearing about how you were born and what you looked and acted like as a baby. I think that's why we love to look back at photos and watch home videos. It's a glimpse into yourself. You at your essence. And let's be honest, you feel like as a baby you had all the attention.

Here's my story:

Mom and Dad were living in Provo, Utah at the time and studying at BYU. I was born at night after quite a few hours of labor. Mom said she was under the epidural and had no idea what she was doing. She didn't know how to push, I was the first baby!

So all along the pregnancy the doctors had told my parents that I was a boy. Apparently, ultrasounds were not as commonly used then and so they went by the strength of the heartbeat. Because I had a strong heartbeat they thought I was a boy.

As I came out (sorry if this is TMI) I guess I raised my arms like I was on a rollercoaster, and the doctor delivering me exclaims, "Yep! It's a girl. She's already asking for money." haha. What a silly doctor. So that was a fun little surprise for the parents. I was a girl. Not a boy.

Of course, my mom says that I was the most beautiful baby and all the nurses were complimenting me. :) (But I think every mom says that.)

Grandma Trudy came up to Provo and helped my parents and cooked up a storm! Mom says she gained the weight during the pregnancy and Dad gained the weight after from all of those delicious Grandma Trudy recipes. :)

I feel so lucky to have been the first child, the first grandchild, the first niece, etc. I was the first everything! Therefore, I was well-loved. :)