Jan
05
Oh, sweet girl. You’ve been waiting for this day FOR-EVER. Pretty much ever since this day. I’ve told you over and over and over again that I really, really, really don’t want you to be four because four is way too old for Mama’s baby. You’ve got to stop the growing, sweetie. Please? Pretty, pretty please?
On the other hand, when I held your limp little body in my arms two nights ago while you leaned over that blue bowl one more time, I cried out to Jesus to heal you, to spare you, to make you well again. And He did. And I can’t thank Him enough. And I know I have to let you grow. And just savor every little minute we have together.
I love you, Nina. And I like you too. You’re my buddy, aren’t you? We run errands together and do puzzles together (100-piece Strawberry Shortcake and Fancy Nancy in particular) and play Bum and Travel Blokus and Dora Memory. You tell me things like, “Don’t steal my computer, Mommy. I’m just going potty,” even though it’s actually my computer you’re playing Webkinz on.
You desperately want to be big and old and tall. You think that doing the Shred with Mommy and Daddy adds inches to your height every time. You love to talk about letters and words and spell things. You love your sisters and your mommy and daddy. You love your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. You love your friends at church and friends near and far.
You love gum and bagels and peanut-butter-&-honey sandwiches and fert snacks and beans and corn and tacos and deer meat (why?) and chips from Chipotle and “those crackers with the papers in them” from Pei Wei.
You’ll pass on the ice cream, cake, most cookies, most vegetables, and half of what I cook for supper.
You love Jesus. You love to talk about Him. You love to “read” your Bible. You love to tell me what you learned at church.
Sometimes I stare at you and wonder how you got so big. Lately I’ve been doing it an awfully lot.
Even in that picture up there, taken on January 4th, the day after you went to the ER, you look beautiful. And grown-up. Yet still cute and small.
We love you, Nina Gabe. We love being in a family with you.
HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY!!
Love, Daddy, Mommy, Livi and Ava
My baby turned 3 on the 4th (yesterday). I totally get this post. There are some days I wish they were grown, most days are like this…Wanting to bottle them up and keep them forever..
O.K. I have tears…. she is precious !
She is so sweet! We had that nasty tummy bug run thoguh our family while Sara and the kids were still here(during the holidays actually). One night I was holding litle four year old Judah while he threw up for like the fifth time and as his little body was heaving I also cried out for his healing.I said “Oh Lord please help this little boy” . In between heaves, he said “He is helping me, it just isn’t working!” He was such a little trooper. Tummy flus are the worst! Glad you are all better now.Marla, they do grow up so fast. Just savor each season!
Oh my word, what a cutie! I’m almost glad you don’t lose closer but I’d probably steal her and add her to my collection of blonde, blue-eyed girls. Maybe I wouldn’t steal her but I’d borrow her frequently.
Happy Birthday, Nina. Keep that pretty hair away from things that spin.
Happy Burfday from Kara. We love you Nina!
Hope to see you soon and celebrate our big girls together.
Happy 4th Birthday Nina! I love you so much my sweet, beautiful girl! I love your smile, your laugh, your curls, your voice, your love for people. Mia is going to love having you as her cousin! I’m sure she’ll grow up wanting to be just like you. I love you and miss you Nina!
Oh sweet beautiful Nina…Happy Birthday! I do so love that picture at the top…you are so right…she looks so old and so young all at once…you can still see her baby-ness, but the big girl look is starting to push through…beautiful girl, beautiful picture.
Love you friend…have a beautiful day enjoying your FOUR year old!!!!
Happy Birthday to your lovely little one…my daughters are 19 and 21 and I will just encourage you with this…having young adult daughters is equally as wonderful as having toddlers. There is joy in every season and I am just loving having girls the age mine are now. When they were 4 and 6 I could not have imagined saying that. Enjoy this special day!
Your Nina is a darling girl! And I know for a fact that she has some of her mom’s sassy, spunky attitude and her heart of gold. Happy FOUR! It’s a great age for everybody!
I still think of Nina at times as “baby Nina”….but it is soo not true! I have always loved that Nina…is Nina! She is a stubborn soul but with such love and compassion for things and people! God has blessed you guys with three AMAZING and beautiful girls and HE has blessed US with three AMAZING, handsome boys’ that are arranged to marry each one of your girls! HA-HA!
Happy Birthday Nina! We love you!!!
p.s.- Your floor looks nice and clean!!!
happy birthday, nina!
She is just so cute! Your a lucky mama.
Happy 4th birthday. It’s weird to think you’re already 4. Thanks for making our visits that much more fun and interesting. I’m so glad you’re feeling better. Stephanie is right. Mia will love having you as a cousin.We love you so much Nina!
Happy 4th Birthday Nina! You are beautiful and precious and I love you! Isabelle wanted me to tell you that she loves you, too, and she can’t wait to play with you again! I hope today is FABULOUS and that this year is the best yet!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy pink and tea parties and lots of fun, Nina. So glad you’re feeling better.
Happy Birthday! And blessings to you every day!
Wonderful picture of your precious little one,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
Happy Birthday Nina!!! You are such a beauty in and out!! Hugs for you on your 4th birthday!
Stop making me cry.
Happy 4th birthday, Nina Gabriel!:) I can hardly believe you’re 4 already! I’m so glad you’re feeling better, honey! I’ve loved watching you grow up to be a beautiful little girl………..on the outside and on the inside!:) Papaw and I love you so much!:)
P. S. Tell Nina we’ve had a baby here today on HER day:) We’ll have to name him/her “Nina Gabe”!
Another beautiful (just kidding) baby bird!
Blessings today and always,
Kaye
Matthew 21:22
What a beautiful girl!
Happy Birthday to your beautiful baby girl!!!!
So very cute…love that picture! I love your tribute to her.
Happy Birthday Nina!!! Happy Happy Birthday!
Oh how precious you are Nina!
I think my Julia sure would love to come play at your house with all of you girls! She only has a big brother!
Hope you are all the way better now and enjoying “4″ to the max!
Nina’s Mom
–I have so been in the “watching” mode and not believing that my “little” girl is 5 going on 6. It’s unreal! Or heaven help, my oldest will be double digits this year!! I love reading what you have to say and I am just tickled that we “met”!
Simply Precious!!!