Twelve. A nice dozen. The hours on a clock face. The signs of the zodiac. And now Kayla’s age! It is so hard to comprehend that she can be 12 already! Twelve years ago, Kevin and I drove through 3-4 inches of freshly falling snow at 6AM to get to the hospital. Despite the best attempts by my doctor and myself (including a 2 mile walk around Gurnee Mills when I was 3 days overdue), Kayla was not budging and was now 8 days overdue. We headed in so that she could be induced. They got me all hooked up and monitored. My doctor came in about 7:30AM and broke my water. He said he would check on me mid-morning and that sometime after lunch we would have our new baby. Around 8:30AM, the contractions were getting painful enough that we started the epidural. Kevin was asked to leave, so he decided to head downstairs for a milkshake. He ran into Mom, who had just arrived. Back in the room, I was complaining to the anaesthesiologist that the epidural was not working. He thought I was joking, but had a nurse check on me anyway. That’s when my doctor was paged to come for a delivery – about 9AM. The nurse grabbed Kevin, who was a bit shocked that it was time already. Kayla was 3 sets of pushes and 37 minutes later.
And now here we are 12 years later. She was my kid who toddled across the room for the first time on New Year’s Eve that year when she was 9.5 months old. She loved her bugs and kept ladybugs in ice trays (ladybug condos). She loved her animals, and still sleeps with Down the Slide – her Beanie baby kitty that she got when she was 18 months old, named after a day playing at the playground just down the road. She has morphed from our baby to a little school girl to a big sister to a kid to a blossoming young lady, all in what seems like the blink of an eye.
I will try to scan some photos and put up a picture sequence for you of Kayla from baby to now. We are proud of who and what she is becoming. She chose to get up this morning and go to church in 31 degree cold to help set up food for the Mobile Food Pantry. She plays her clarinet music, all Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon. She loves her Pokemon cards and books.
And…..she loves her new gift! Thank you to all who were a part of it! Here is the video:
Right now, we have 5 pre-teen girls running around in the basement. Ashley escaped to Mom’s house for the night. We hope Grampa is feeling better! Here’s to our last year without a teenager! EEEEEEEEKKK!
I remember the day Kayla was born well, and the events leading up to it, like walking Gurnee Mills with you from end to end, and the snowstorm the morning you went to the hospital. I did a hair lady early that morning, thinking there was plenty of time, I met Kevin coming back with his milkshake and we walked upstairs, again thinking there was plenty of time, and then they called him to come right away, and I was sent to the waiting room, thinking I would be there for a long time. Then, it seemed like in no time, the doctor came to tell me that Heather and Baby were fine and Kevin would come to get me soon, and he wouldn’t give me a clue as to whether I had a granddaughter or grandson. Then, Kevin came and asked me if I wanted to come to see my new granddaughter! When we got to the room where Kayla had been delivered, the nurse was finishing cleaning her up, and I stood there in awe at the thought that I was looking at my first grandchild! She wrapped her in a blanket and handed her to me, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. She was beautiful!
From that moment until this day, Kayla has brought nothing but joy to my life. She is sweet, and kind, and big-hearted. She is an amazing young lady, an awesome daughter and granddaughter, and a good friend. I am so very proud to be her Gramma. Thank you, Kayla, for doing what you do, and being who you are.
Happy 12th Birthday!! 🙂
With more love than there are words to express,
Gramma
Happy 12th birthday, Kayla! I hope you have an awesome slumber party and find time to get sleep tomorrow! I can’t believe that you are 12 already, if I blink, you are going to be getting driving lessons!
I can’t wait until I can give you a proper hug this summer. Until then, big cyber-hugs to the birthday girl!
Happy birthday, Kayla! I can’t believe you’re already 12! I remember sitting with you as we all opened Christmas presents, and even before you could really talk, you could point out which Simpson’s character was which! I also remember you coming out to Pittsburgh for the first time when you were 7, and it hardly seems possible that that was already 5 years ago (almost half your life ago)! I’m proud to be part of your family, and I’m excited that Kieran gets to meet his awesome cousins (definitely haven’t forgotten about Ashley!) next week! He’ll love you. 🙂
DRIVING????!!!?!?!?!?!!? Be quiet, you! Let me live in my sweet world of denial that my little girl won’t be behind the wheel for a very long time. It will come too soon. And when she is getting her license, you all will be putting boys on their first kindergarten bus…..