~Elyssa's 3rd Birthday!~

On January 18th my little princess woke up to find a room full of pink balloons.  Her excitement was contagious!  It was awesome.  She knew it was her special day for us all to celebrate her wonderful three year old life.

After a morning of playing with a couple girl friends, we did our annual Birthday photo shoot.  Lyssa was such a ham the entire time, and loved all the attention.  Then it was time for lunch with friends, naps, and off to the movie theatre to see "Tangled" in her Rapunzel dress, per her request.  I think she may have even brought her Rapunzel doll with her.  We were the only people in the theatre, and I'm pretty sure Lyssa had a fabulous time.
 
As we pulled into the driveway her best girl, "Miss Riah", pulled in right behind with birthday surprises.  What a lucky girl!  Then it was time for dinner, cheesy tomato pasta, blueberries, strawberries, and a pink Rapunzel cake!

Time for candles and wishes...

Then presents all around.  Alec was soooo excited about the new Transformer Lyssa gave him, and I could tell she was excited to give it to him.  It was perfect.  

Then Lyssa hit the jackpot with presents from the grandparents and aunties.  

She was sooo excited opening every single one. 

Then it was time for stories and bed.  As I tucked my little lady in I told her the story of her birth, pictures and all.  A flood of memories from that day came back to me.  I remember the crazy ride in the car, the fast delivery of a breech baby, the sudden move to the NICU, the night I laid in bed, wondering about my little girl upstairs while trying to come up with a name for my early arrival.  Once the nurses gave me the go ahead to move around it took all my self control to wait for the elevator instead of running up the two flights of stairs to hold my sweet little one for the first time.  It was love at first sight.  I was in complete awe of my tiny little NICU baby.  And I still am.  

Happy Birthday, Little Lyssa.  

I love you.