Flashback

Eighteen years ago as I write this I had been in labor for 61 hours.
I had a little over 2 hours left to go.

Amanda was born on a Tuesday, at 7:36 p.m.

This is what she looked like at 24-36 hours old:




And at 9 months:



She is my first born and she came in her own sweet time. Although we started labor on her due date (May 19), she wasn't born until the evening of the 21st. She defied the nurses' goal of keeping her swaddled and would calm down the moment she had room to stretch her legs. I must keep remembering this as she turns 18 today. I suspect that she will always resist the attempts of outsiders to keep her confined and will always need a little room to stretch her legs a bit.

She is a beautiful young woman and I am very proud of all that she has become.

I have been and continue to be very blessed to have her in my life.

I love you Goose! Happy Birthday!