Friday, April 30, 2010

and she's FIVE!!...well, tomorrow.






(I just looked over this post. PLEASE someone tell me how in the world you scan pics to a decent size so you can actually see them when posting them?! Sorry for the teeny weeny pics).

We're leaving to go camping for 2 nights at Virginia Beach. Dayne has requested this for her birthday for a good 8 months now. Here's some pics to document Dayne's first few years (I scanned them..after this everything went digital). Dayne was our big 10 lb. 5 oz. baby born with pneumonia. She was taken from us right after birth and lived for the next 9 days in the NICU. She was BY FAR the biggest baby in there (and the most beautiful). She had a big breathing mask over her face that was kept on so tightly that her face swelled up and her eyes couldn't open. They took the breathing mask off after (I believe??) 6 or 7 days to reveal a gorgeous baby with big, blue eyes and thick, dark hair (the mask included a head covering..probably to help keep the whole thing on). I cried when they took it off because it was like seeing my baby for the first time. I felt guilty going in there knowing Dayne was soon to come home and all those other moms had 2-4 lb babies with health complications that could keep them in there for months. I remember going in one day right after she was born and trying to keep from crying when I saw all the tubes and wires attached to my baby. The nurse told me it was okay to cry for MY baby; to not compare myself or Dayne to other mothers and babies. This was MY situation and I was justified in feeling the way I did. How hard to go home without a baby in your arms!! And we were literally a 5 minute (or less!) walk to the hospital. I didn't want to be anywhere but there. I had to pump throughout the day and night and Dayne wasn't allowed to eat for the first 5 days or so. And then it was the bottle, and then it was me after that. I don't think she really starting nursing until 8 days after she was born. She turned out to be my best nurser, though. She didn't want any real food until about 10 months and even then, preferred me to anything else.

And now we have an (almost) five year old and I'm emotional thinking about it. Cole was a difficult toddler that made focusing on Dayne hard (and she was colicky for the first 4 months of her life). The move to Virginia, having June, living in a tiny apartment with a newborn, a 2 year old, and a full of energy 5 year old, proved to be a difficult task. Dayne really was the forgotten child.

I am so happy that I had this last year with her at home. Virginia is not like the west. Everyone puts their kid in some sort of preschool here. I didn't. Not because I didn't want to. I felt like I should. I was looked at (at times)like a loony for not doing it. Number one, it's expensive. Number two, I felt like Dayne was able to learn at home much better than Cole. And number three (why am I numbering?), I knew I needed this time with her. I love you my sweet, creative, funny, musical Dayne!!

9 comments:

The Gilberts said...

When I first saw Dayne, Christmas 2005, I thought she was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. She's a very special girl! I remember when you guys stayed with us in Haymarket and she liked to grab on to Justin's arm and just hold it there.

Everyone here does preschool too, even all the Moms in my ward. I would like my kids to have more time with me and to get lots of learning in at home, but if we have 1 or 2 younger siblings, I wonder how realistic it will be for me to ensure that attention. We'll see...

Darla said...

Chels,
we STILl find her rubbing her eyebrows and wrist when she's relaxed; either watching tv or laying in bed. Funny girl..

Emily said...

Yay Dayne! The singing, dancing, reading girl! I'd forgotten that not only was she sick right when she was born but that she was such a big baby! Have so much fun at the beach, we're totally jealous, especially Owen! It's cold and rainy here today and more of the same tomorrow, blah...

Hurliman Family Blog said...

Og Darla what a great post!! And what a beautiful baby. I too cried for all the other babies and felt guilty because mine was healthy. I am sure the mommies appreciated our hearts. What a great girl that she wants to go camping, I love camping! I hope you have a great time! Tell her we love her and miss her (if she remembers us) One of my favorite memories is of Dayne at Leannes reading her little tiny bible in her own little language! That just melted my heart....

Hurliman Family Blog said...

suppose to say OH darla ...oops

Cortney said...

Happy Birthday to Dayne! She is beautiful, have fun camping!

GeorgeAndBethness said...

Happy birthday to first you Darla, and then to our wonderful Dayne! Your pics of Dayne look so much like yourself. Surprise! I opt out of pre-school w/ one exception...first, because we were moving too quickly, and then after one try...I simply missed him (Chris) too much, and knew that I couldn't repeat it. I'm proud of you Darla, and Geof for his love and support. Happy Birthday Dayne!! G.ma Beth

GeorgeAndBethness said...

DITTO from Grandpa George. We sure love our Dayne Dorothy. Thank you Geof and Darla for being so good with your children and creating ans sharing such wonderful memories.
I don't think I ever was 5.

Grandpa George

Steve and Katie Hoffman said...

i can't get past that she was 10 lbs.......

she seems like such a mini you. so cute!!