Two years ago today, we welcomed our niece, Sadie, into the world. My sister had been admitted to the hospital the week before Sadie’s birth due to complications with her pregnancy. We had hoped, with heavy hearts, that she would spend the remaining 13 weeks of her pregnancy in the hospital to give the baby time to grow & develop. But, as fate…or Sadie…would have it, we wouldn’t be waiting that long.

Despite her tiny stature, at just 2 pounds 8 ounces, Sadie made her presence known, forcing her way into the world….feet first. It was obvious right from the beginning that this little girl had some spunk. And, now two years later, that spunk has served her well. Amazingly, Sadie has survived her early arrival without any complications. It is truly a blessing, especially given that some of the other preemies she shared the NIC unit with did not survive.

This morning, I read back to the first post I wrote about Sadie, just days after she was born, and it’s amazing to me that we already had a sense of who she would be before she was even able to breath on her own. She is strong-willed, determined, fiercely independent, funny, sweet, completely lovable and a total snuggle monkey.

It has been a joy and a privilege to watch Sadie grow and blossom. She has brought so much to my and Andy’s lives that words just don’t do justice. Two years has gone by quickly and Sadie has grown by leaps and bounds. She is perfect in every sense and when I think of her (and her sweet fiercely-protective older brother, Calvin) my heart spills over with love.

So, Happy Birthday Sadie! May the next year be filled with as much happiness & joy as you have brought to our lives in these past two years! Auntie & Uncle love you to bits! xoxo

Here’s Sadie after just waking up from her nap on Saturday. My sister & brother-in-law had a little family party for her. It was a great day!

Our little princess…She’s definitely a fighter, but she’s also all girl….a slightly sleepy girl in this next photo.