Tobias is SIX!

I can't believe it... My oldest baby is six.

He was born on August 30, 2006 weighing 8lbs 12oz... 23 days after his due date!

A year later he was a running ball of energy who only ever slowed down when he was sleeping:

At 2 he got his first trike and spent much of his birthday on the couch with Mama who was on bedrest thanks to his little brother:

By three he fully cultivated curls... oh the curls!

At 4 his one wish for his birthday was mini golf. I agreed, but only once it was evening time because I was 38w5d pregnant and OMG the heat!

Last year he was a 5 year old who was on his way to full day every day school for the first time.

And now I have a sweet, adorable 6 year old. Just days away from entering first grade. He loves his brothers and beyblades and Superman and his "Auntell" as he says it (Aunt El)

Memories of a Baby I Never Met

Yesterday was the anniversary of the birth of a baby girl I never got to meet, but her memory is an important one to me.

Baby K was born in 2009, many weeks before her expected date of delivery. She was stillborn. Her mama and I were friends even before she got pregnant with her. We had been out of touch due to busy lives and I hadn't seen her in a while but she was all of a sudden constantly on my mind. I don't know what made me think of her but in the weeks after the birth and death of K her mama was frequently on my mind. I emailed her finally to check in and she told me the news.

Now I have talked with my friend about her sweet baby and I am glad she trusted me enough to share those memories with me. It always surprises me in situations like this that everyone doesn't want to know. That anyone could mistake this life as a life that didn't really happen.

She happened all right and she left tiny sized foot prints on my heart and on my life. I wish I'd been able to meet her. I watch her two siblings now grow and change and it makes me think of her often.

Happy Birthday Baby K. You are missed and loved. And to your Mama I offer love and many many gentle hugs.