Sadie turns 5!!

Last Wednesday, Sadie turned 5 and I can't believe it. Five years ago we were living in La Crosse, WI and Matt was in his 2nd year of residency. I was over 2 weeks overdue and my OB said I was going to need to be induced as my fluid levels had dropped to dangerously low levels. So we went in on a Wednesday morning and by noon, we had a daughter!!!! She came so quickly and was so tiny...6 lbs, 6 oz. And I have this picture of Matt holding her, forever etched in my memory, showing just how tiny she was....

..and all this personality in that little body!!

She was so excited to bring donuts from Dorothy Anne's bakery for her treat!

After I picked her up at school, we went out for lunch and then to get her ears pierced!! She had been asking to get them pierced for awhile so her birthday was the perfect opportunity. And i believe I got my pierced when I was five as well...such a fun right of passage!!

She remained completely excited right up until the actual piercing took place and she never waivered in her desire to get them done.

*Before*

I wasn't able to get an 'after' picture until we got home as Sadie was in tears. And you can't blame her...it hurts to get two holes poked in your ears! She didn't cry loudly, though. It was more of a quiet cry and she just wanted me to hold her.

*after*

She was still in a bit of pain but SO excited to have pierced ears!!

Once the kids got off the bus, she rushed out to show Wyatt and Gracie (Gracie hadn't gotten hers pierced yet until she saw Sadie's and then she went and had it done a few days later). Dixie and her kids stopped by at the same time to drop off a gift for Sadie...

..and you can tell Dixie knows Sadie--she got her a tape dispenser in the shape of a high heel and it's bright pink, nonetheless! Dixie also added her own personal touch by putting an 'S' on the toe in rhinestones!

Flowers from Daddy when he came home for work

And then time to open gifts. We didn't do a cake on her birthday since her party was on Saturday, so we just opened gifts as a family. I had to post all these pictures of her opening her gifts because (1) I wanted everyone to see her reaction when she opened their gifts and (2)I wanted to show just how animated she is!!

(notice her birthday sticker from school and her 'i got my ears pierced' sticker)

Changing pad, made by Grammy, for her baby's changing table (an early birthday gift that Matt's parents had already sent)

Clothes and backpack to carry her babies in (also from Grammy and Papa)

Showing off her baby's new clothes, just as if this was a baby shower!!

Sadie explaining all the clothes and accessories to us...

..getting down to business..

The parent's bedroom set and bathroom set for her dollhouse from Nani and Pops

The tape dispenser from Dixie

New charms for her bracelet from Daddy and Wyatt

..kisses for Wy..

5 $1 bills from Gigi and Dye-Dye

...more animation...

..running clothes from Mommy...

And the finale....a new bike helmet!!!

She was so excited to use her new baby carrier!!

I took this picture as I was coming down the stairs and was able to capture this sweet little moment....she was laying her baby down on it's new blanket and in the midst of her play, checked her ears to make sure she really did have her ears pierced. It was so sweet and throughout the last week, she has mentioned several times how she has woken up and forgotten that she really had her ears pierced and how happy she was when she realized it was real!!

She came up with this 'setup' to keep Baby Ashley warm and cozy in the carrier....so creative and sweet!! Not sure what Blake was thinking in this moment, though!!

And a final "look at my pierced ears" for the day! Do you think she was excited about it?!

And these earrings are so much cuter than what I had to choose from when I was little! And perfect for Sadie--rainbow colored flowers!

Sadie had a great birthday and we were looking forward to her party. Everywhere we went, she would tell people that she was going to have her first 'friend' party and couldn't wait!! Matt and I actually just had her parent/teacher conference last night with her preschool teacher and what a joy that was!! She is a delight to have in class, always helpful and excited to be there. She is a great listener and is the one her teacher always can ask to help other kids out if they are sad or struggling. She is usually the one who demonstrates things for her class but she really doesn't desire to be in the spotlight as much as she wants to help others out. I love watching her interact with others and her compassion is overwhelming. Her imagination is also amazing to me and her teachers love seeing it in action with the other kids!! We are so blessed to be her parents and LOVE that her conferences were such a breeze!!! Love you Sadie!!