Happy Happy Birthday!!

Wow...I can't even believe the time has come for me to say "I have a 3 year old". My oldest child, my firstborn...my miracle baby. McKenna Mae. 3 years of age...that just doesn't seem right to me.

We were so scared when you were born. Meconium induced Pneumonia, Pulminary Hypertension, Ventricular Septal Defect, Atrial Septal Defect, Poly-cystic Kidney Disease, Kidney Reflux, Double Collection System in the "good" kidney, Torticolis. All of those were the most terrifying things we'd ever been told. If only Mama & Papa could have seen into the future, we'd have seen the perfectly healthy girl you are today and maybe we would have been as strong as you. What a fighter...never cried...always the best baby. Thank you. 

To be 3 years old now & not have ANY health conditions is just amazing.This will be the last birthday I ever bring up any of these things...for it was just 7 months ago we learned you're not to be considered as having "Kidney Disease" but just another person living with a solitary kidney. & that was the last good news we had been waiting on. So for now on...we can focus on all the wonderful things you have to offer this world.

She has grown up to be one smart cookie, I'll tell ya. She is so incredibly smart and equally as beautiful. We are so proud of her, beyond words. She has defied many odds and has become one of the most compassionate, loving people we've ever known, ever. Seriously. We know, throughout her life she will be known as a lover. Kindhearted. What 2 year old do you know that will wipe tears from someone's face and tell them it's ok and then proceed to pray for their "boo-boo"? Our kid. Yeah, that's right. OUR kid!

I know Aunt Niki LOVES these Flower Headband Pics, LOL!

Last night, Mr.B. was off from work, which he normally works 3rd shift & he likes to do everything for them when he's home, so naturally, he was putting them to bed (& putting on a movie in their room, another perk to daddy putting them to bed - mommy is mean & won't do that) & when he came back to our bed he said McKenna told him, "Daddy, I am glad you're not at work, I miss you when you go"...So smart to relize daddy was home for the night...and so compassionate to miss him when he's gone. I love it. 

We love everything about this child. I love that it's my job to dispose of the boogers she nabs on her finger. I love that it's my job to wipe her butt, even though she's potty trained. I love that it's my job to teach her everything. I love that it's my job to wipe her tears and explain why she must share with her sister. I love that it's my job to "kick the monsters in their butt" if they were to ever appear out of nowhere in her room. I love that it's my job to listen (as she bluntly puts it) as she leads us in prayer, reads the bedtime stories, or leads us in song, because now she can do it all on her own.

As for me, Kristen, her mother...Many people may have doubted me and my intentions in life, but I always knew. I knew that one day I would have my turn to be a mommy and that I would prove to everyone that I had awesome intentions. I was going to give back something fierce. McKenna is my proof. I must be doing something right because she is all kinds of awesomeness!!!

Happy Birthday, Mackie Mae...Mama, Papa & Sissy, love you so.

Three. Years. Old.

~ She has her Father's Eyes ~

Love & Feliz Cumplianos,