Francesca Turns 10

I can't believe that it has been 10 years. April 21, 2004. At the time I was working at adplex as an Account Coordinator. I went into work knowing that Steph went to the hospital that morning to get induced. She was past her due date. Me, not knowing anything figured that she would have the baby by noon. Around 11ish I headed to the hospital. Steph made labor look so easy. But now I know the effects of an epidural! I remember her nurse checking her and saying it was go time. It was around 4? I remember this because Oprah was on the TV in the background. With a few pushes Francesca was out. It was the most amazing thing I had ever witnessed in my life (being 23 at the time). It was a miracle...life!

So happy "born" day to Francesca. We've had a bond since you were in the womb (I predicted Steph was preggers with you before she told anyone)! You have brought so much joy into our lives and I have enjoyed every minute watching you grow up and resemble your mom in more ways than you know. Your smile lights up the room. When you are sad, I am sad. When you are happy, I am happy. You showed me what motherhood was before I had children of my own and I love you and treat you as if you were mine. I am always here for you...to love you and protect you. And so is your angel up above. I often get sad thinking about you growing up without your mom, but then I think about how much you are loved by many and hope that when you are an adult and look back on your childhood that you don't feel like you missed out on having a "mom". Because mom's are there to love you unconditionally, pick you up when you fall, teach you right from wrong, hug you and tell you they love you.....and I can only hope that we have done that for you.

Here's a photo collage of the past 10 years...can't wait to see what the next 10 years will look like!