Friday, August 9, 2013

Tessa Turns 5!

Today our Tessa Boo turned 5 years old! I seriously don't know where the last 5 years went. Tessa seemed to go from a sickly baby to a big girl overnight. Perhaps it's her independent spirit that has always made her seem like one of the big kids. I was thinking about Tessa's birth day as I did the dishes this evening. Sadly, it's a day that I would still refer to as the worst day of my life. I wish I felt differently since we were so blessed with Tessa's safe arrival, but the memories that I have of that day are not pleasant ones. I remember the look of fear on Eric's face and being beyond freaked out myself. I remember feeling like I had been hit by a truck and the nurse wheeling me in to see Tessa before they took her to the NICU and then getting sick to my stomach and having to rush back to my room to throw up. I remember sobbing in my hospital room from being so emotionally exhausted and having feelings and emotions that I cannot really put into words even 5 years later. Although there are many bad memories from that day, there are positive ones and I try to think about those. I remember seeing Tessa for the first time and falling in love with her round little cheeks and her little button nose. I remember a kind anesthesiologist who literally held my hand during my surgery when I voiced how scared I was. I remember a kind nurse who gave me a hug and encouraged my tears, a loving husband who was with me the whole time and so excited to meet his daughter and 4 parents who rushed up to be with us during an unexpected early morning Saturday delivery.
Tessa's arrival and first few weeks of life were less than ideal, but we survived them and she showed us that she has quite the independent spirit! She is also vivacious, kind, creative, sassy, dramatic and so, so smart! I can't believe we will be sending her to Kindergarten in a few weeks. She has been so excited to turn 5 and at the end of our day, she said it was the best 5 year old birthday ever!
She started her birthday off with her favorite breakfast-a big stack of pink pancakes! She said they were "perfectly pink-a-licious!"



 We tried out a new hairstyle for her party. 
We let Tessa pick out anything she wanted for a birthday lunch. She chose a kids meal from Wendy's so she could dip her fries in her frosty:)

 In the afternoon, Tessa had a bunch of her friends come over to celebrate her birthday. We had a beach party with them too! Most of Tessa's little girlfriends were out of town this week, but she was glad to have her Riley cousins come, her bestie, Camdyn and all her little boy friends. 
 David, Tessa, Adam, Kooper, Saedree, Gwen, Anni
Boston, Cooper, Ryker and Camdyn
 Playing "Hot Beach Ball"
 Anni and Tess
 We played Pin the Rays on the Sun.





 Limbo! These kids were hilarious to watch.





 Tessa got some fun gifts! She got lots of fun princess things from the Riley's. She LOVES her big princess pen and said she will be using her princess pencil and paper for her homework. She also got a princess jump rope and is anxious to play with Mommy.

 David knows she likes to cook and he got her some piping tools and ingredients to make cupcakes. 
 Princess coloring pages from Kooper.
 A jewelry making kit from the other Cooper.
 Some Ariel bath toys from Camdyn!
 Time to sing and blow out some candles.



 She got them all in one breath!
 Since it was a beach party, everyone came in their swimsuits so they could play in the water. We didn't expect a thunder and lightening storm to roll through, so they only got to play outside for about 5 minutes before I had to call them inside and figure out a plan B.
 Some balloon volleyball made for a great plan B.
 Daddy got home from school in the early evening and Tessa was anxiously waiting to open the rest of her presents from Mommy and Daddy. 


 Gwen was seriously mad that she wasn't getting to open anything!

 Sophia the First shoes, amulet and crown.



 She has been begging for a Dream Light for months. She was thrilled to finally get one!

 Her last big surprise...
 A bean bag just like Adam's!
 For her birthday dinner, she requested her favorite...shell pasta with butter and cheese and Mommy's rolls. Doesn't get more bland than that! 
We spent the evening playing with her new toys, having some birthday ice cream and she and Adam got to take a trip to Costco with Daddy. 
We hope your 5th birthday was wonderful! We love you so much, Tessa Boo!!