four years in review...in pictures

**Updated**  four years in review...in pictures...and words. 

Here I sit, Sunday afternoon after returning from Layla's 2nd bday party, courtesy of my parents, MiMi and PoPo.   Thankyouverymuch.  I feel compelled to add more to this post.  Both in pictures and words. 

On the return trip from San Antonio to Houston....yet another - same scenario of my "car-totalled-broken-ankle" accident happened on Interstate 10.  However, this time we {yes, baby girl of course is with me again} are traveling at a rate of about 70 mph, give or take - not the 30 mph on the last one.

It was a close call.  20 cars all suddenly going 70 mph to almost a dead stop!!!!!  Really!?!  I just don't get it.  No wreck up ahead.  No roads merging.  No debris in the roadway.  Perhaps it was just the school bus, traveling probably as it should, maybe 60 mph, in the right lane {the proper, courteous "slow lane" for those of you not from Texas}.  But because people wanted to get ahead of the bus, they start cutting cars off, with little space from one car to the next in the fast lane.  

Anyway.  It just brings back bad thoughts I used to have in college.  Those that you hate to have, yet they come anyway.  And it makes me want to NOT travel with my daughter!  Yes, I realize that sounds ludicrous  and is impossible, but it is how I feel.  I'll share this so you get where I am coming from....I've always felt I would die young in.a.car.accident.   Don't know where it comes from, but it comes.  I had overcome it for many years, but with the wreck, and now another close call.  This time, I was good in the front, but someone got extremely close to hitting me in the rear.  Closer to Layla. 

What if?  Is it my time...and it keeps missing me?  Ugh....I don't know. I know this may sound so crazy to some of you, but it's just how I am feeling right now.  Like I want to move to the country somewhere.  In a bubble would be nice.  

But it sure makes me appreciate, and not take for granted all of these precious moments I've had with this blessing of life...for these beautiful four years so far....

{1 month - sweet precious sleeping angel}

{1 month}

{2 months}

{2 months - showing me she'll be a fighter}

{2 months - showing me she would also like to use my phone...she still does...we've got a talker!}

{3 months - 1st personal dog encounter...stare down ensued}

{3 months - she won!}

{3 months - she rolls!}

{3 months}

(4 months - !st Santa Visit - beginning of "fluffy" phase}

{6 months}

{9 months}

{1 year old}

{1 year old bottom}

A mother's treasure is her daughter. 

~ Catherine Pulsifer

{1 year old - 1st birthday party}

{1 year old - in awe}

{1 year old - ...those lashes...}

{15 months - school picture}

{18 months}

{22 months - 1st splash pad}

{2 years old}

A daughter is, a joy bringer, a heart warmer, a memory maker; a daughter is love.

{2 years, 3 months}

{2.5 years old}

{creeping up on 3 years old}

{3 years old - yippee!!!}

My daughter is the most precious gift I've ever received.

{3 years old, 2 months - insert attitude}

{3.5 years old}

{March 2011}

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.

{April 2011}

{April 2011 - 1st haircut}

{May 2011}

What the daughter does, the mother did. 

~ Jewish Proverb

{please start praying for me now}

{May 2011 - 1st time bowling}

{mid-May 2011 - showing her cool factor}

{late May 2011}

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

{June 2011}

{mid June 2011 - 1st airfield visit - I spy something sweet!}

{late June 2011}

A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

{early July 2011 - showing her groove}

{late July 2011 - 1st circus}

{Layla, on her 4th birthday}

A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future.

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts.  A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child. 

~ Sophia Loren