Happy Birthday Rachel

It is truly amazing how fast a decade can go. Ten years ago this morning my sweet Rachel Linda Rice joined our family. She arrived to a very chaotic world - the day after the devastating 9-11 attacks on our country. I think her little soul must have been in turmoil too and in a great hurry to get to this earth because she came almost 4 weeks early. She made a grand entrance by trying to come out one foot first and then having a cord prolapse. She arrived via an emergency c-section - the fastest one on record for the hospital at that date. She spent a week in the NICU learning how to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. She also had chemical pneumonia from inhaling amniotic fluid during her traumatic birth. She was 6#7oz and 18 inches long - not to big and she has remained tiny at her 10 year well check she finally made it to 50# and is 491/2 inches tall. She still doesn't make it on the growth chart but is following her own little pattern. She she doesn't have in size she makes up for in heart - Rachel truly is one of the sweetest little girls I have ever known. She has loved animals I think since the day she was born and plans on being a veterinarian when she grows up. She is kind to everyone and doesn't have just one set of friends - her teachers have always complimented her on the fact that she will play with everyone. I think Kerri is her very best friend and I hope it stays that way forever and ever. I love this little girl very much and am so glad that she is my daughter - I feel honored to be her mother and hope she always knows how very much she is loved- love you Rachel Linda Rice!!