birthday wishes

Life began at 4:08am on a Friday morning, exactly 2 years ago. You came fast, precious Annike, in just over 2 and a half hours. A peanut sized bundle at 5 pounds, 12 ounces. Blue and not breathing, we waited to hear you cry and were reminded that life is the most humbling of all miracles. What seemed eternal, may only have been minutes before you took your first breath. "It's a Girl!"...SURPRISE! Papa surely had seen a boy on the ultrasound he was not supposed to be looking at. He would never trade you in for you wrapped your tiny fist around his heart that very moment.

I loved you before you entered the world. I fell in love with you that first hour of life you spent wakefully, calmly looking into my eyes. You are well worth every physical pain and heartache it took to get you here.





Your 1st Birthday celebration took place at our Soquel home with families from our Bible study who prayed hard for your existence in this world. These friends were soon to become some of your best.

















It is strange how having too much fun can cause a party to end in tears:


As we celebrate your 2nd birthday today, I have to actively think about what traditions we establish for your birthday. It is easy to make a birthday about the presents, and the anticipation of eating ice cream. But those things say nothing about the gift of your life in the lives of other. We want to celebrate, instead, your unique talents, curiosity for the small wonders around you, and most of all, the relationships we have with those we love.


Oh yeah, and for your birthday today, we wanted to let you wear whatever you wanted (which turned out to be your tu-tu over your kitty pajamas!)

Happy Birthday Annike-Bear!