This is one of my most favorite pictures of Cecily. The look is determined. Her eyes are focused. Her posture is sturdy and she is ready to take on the world with her sassy and spunky style.
Over the last 6 weeks we have seen Cecily blossom. While she took her first steps on Halloween - it was not until the end of January that she just took off! Walking is now her primary mode of transport and she is so very proud of herself. (And we are so very proud of her, too!) It seems like week after week, and day after day, Cecily is making amazing strides - and not just with her walking!
Today as we celebrate her birthday - we are filled with hope for her future and happiness for the joy she has filled our lives with - and the lives of so many others. She continues to prove the impossible IS possible with a lot of hard-work, determination, passion and a healthy dose of stubbornness...
This week we celebrated ANOTHER milestone for sweet Cecily. We decided to try potty training and after just 3 attempts she had victory! On just her 3rd day of training she has already put #1 and #2 in the potty! When Noah's buddy came over today he was overheard telling him, "My sister... she went potty in the potty for the first time in her whole life today!" He was so proud of her and seeing him celebrate her victories is the best present a Mommy could ever hope to have! When Mr. Noah first saw Cecily walk a few weeks ago he slapped both hands on his face and said, "Oh My Gosh!" - before falling over in pure Noah drama... He clapped and cheered and celebrated her success in a way that makes me so very proud of him, too. (And for the record - Cason was clapping and grinning from ear to ear, too!)
Miss Cecily is undeniable in so many ways. She soaks in the world around her and tunes out the people who speak to her as if she is not present. She is keen to separate the believers from the non-believers and she works hard for those people who know that SHE CAN DO IT! She is one tough cookie and she knows what she wants and once she has her little mind set on something she will try very hard to see it through!
Another joy of late is to hear her sweet laugh fill the house with pure love. She is giggling with her brothers - wrestling them on the mat & chasing them around in a fun game of peek-a-boo! She just loves to laugh and when she makes her happy sounds it is impossible not to laugh along. She is infectious!
She is a daily reminder that life is not easy, or fair or guaranteed. She is a reminder to make each day special and to try, try, try... She tries so very hard and she never gives up. She is so committed and we celebrate her success. She is now riding her horse like a champion! We credit POVA with building up her core strength so she can walk! She now sits so tall on Miss BlueBelle and she is so proud when she walks into the ranch on her own two feet! She is exploring her world in ways I only dreamed of... and it is better than anything I could have wished for.
I hope by sharing these very personal moments about Cecily we can spread hope to other families. There were so many days when we were not sure what the next day would bring. We didn't dare to think about the future; we were rooted in surviving the present. We took one day at a time and Cecily responded and rose to every occasion. It was not easy. It is not easy. BUT... it is wonderful and the rewards are so great!
Today - we are filled with hope. Cecily is our amazing, smart, beautiful and silly girl. And if you sit with her long enough she'll tell you herself that she's much more than a pretty face. She has a lot to offer this world and she continues to inspire us.
Happy Birthday Sweet Cecily! We are so proud of you - not for just what you have accomplished but for how hard you try to achieve your goals. We are so lucky to have a little girl to remind us about the important things in life. Thank you for being patient with us. We know we have a lot to learn as parents but we will get there together - as a FAMILY!
Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday!
Onwards & upwards!