Four Cheeky Chicks: Happy Birthday Rory!

Six years. That's how long you've been my daughter. You were actually my easiest pregnancy. I remember during your delivery, when I started to push, you stretched your legs all the way out and used to your feet to push on my ribs. You were determined to join us as fast as possible, even if it meant you had to help.

You bonded with your big sister right from the start. She was completely in love with you even before you were born. It's like she was waiting for you to join her and you two have been almost inseparable since we brought you home.

You have always been such a tiny thing.

Little and delicate looking.

But looks are deceiving. Your tiny build somehow manages to hold an exceptionally bright and big personality.

I have loved watching you grow up. Watching you grow closer to your sister.

You were always so busy even as a baby.

You wanted to be everywhere and see everything.

You crawled early and never really slowed down after that.

You are so free with your emotions. Easy to cry but also easy to laugh.

Quick to temper but also quick to love.

You have dealt with so many hard things in your short life and you have done it with joy.

I remember in the chaos that was the year between your 2nd and 3rd birthdays. Doctors appointment after doctors appointment. IVs and blood draws and scopes.

And you just rolled with everything. You brought smiles to all the doctor's and nurses faces as they did what needed to be done. You rarely cried about any of it and you treated everything like the adventure it was.

And when we had to change everything about what you could eat you took it in stride.

You learned quickly what you could and couldn't have and you never complained about missing out even when you couldn't eat at a birthday party.

You have been such a wonderful example to me of how to except what we can't change and instead make our new path exciting and fun.

I love seeing your father's eyes in your sweet face.

I love your goofy laugh and how freely you give smiles.

I love that you love others so readily. You see what I so often over look and you aren't afraid to tell complete strangers that they are beautiful.

I love that you are quick to defend your siblings. You never hesitate. Despite your size you just jump right into the fray and give it all you have got.

You challenge me. I want to pretend that I am more like Cadence, and while I have always been responsible and reliable, I am actually more like you. I too am quick to all those heady emotions I see boiling in you. You have taught me more about having patience, with you and myself, than all my other children combined. Mothering you has helped me grow into a better person.

You are my creative party girl. You come up with such wonderful ideas and you believe I can make all of them come true. I love that you believe in me and that you believe anything is possible.