On the Verge

My baby will be four tomorrow.



This was so very long ago:
I was 39 weeks pregnant, and we didn't know if we were having a girl or a boy.



Fifteen days past her 'due date' our family of three became a family of four... forever changed by this little girl.
She was so tiny. And yet, so incredibly loud. I have never known an infant like Chloe. She was considered a 'high-need baby' and it seemed like we would never make it through that first year. But somehow we did.




Then she turned one. She was just learning to walk, but not yet sleeping through the night. I was tired all. the. time.




Then she turned two. And she was talking, talking, talking. Being able to finally express herself helped cut down on the number of screaming outbursts.
She had A LOT to say. All the time.




Then at three her full personality began to shine. She is full of passion. She is emotional and dramatic. She is outspoken. She has a heart bigger than the whole earth. She is perceptive and absolutely brilliant.


Suddenly, for me, all the difficult days prior to this year seem to make sense. Someone with characteristics like hers just couldn't tolerate being trapped in an uncooperative body for so many years. Now she is free!!! and it is good.



It hasn't been easy, but I'd do it all over again.
For her.


My baby.

Who is now on the verge of turning four.