Happy, Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!

When I think of how long I have been living in Georgia, all I have to do is think of how old Milan is. It’s just that simple. Today my baby girl Milan is 4 years old. I moved to Georgia 5 days after she was born in Philadelphia!
Actually we bought our home a month before she was born. But because I was employed by the Philadelphia School District and was working while pregnant, I thought it would be a good idea to finish working, since school was over at the end of June and give birth to Milan in Philly so that my insurance would cover the birth.
So after Milan was born on June 26, 2006, we waited about a week and moved into our new home awaiting us in Georgia. (Well most of our stuff was in the house already because Rudy had moved all our down down a month earlier)
Milan is truly my measuring stick!
Today I made my baby her own Dora birthday cake.

Even though it was a little lop-sided and wouldn’t come close to winning a Food Network cake challenge, Milan was overjoyed and happy with her birthday cake. I am so proud that I have children who appreciate the little things. Milan enjoyed her birthday cake and ice cream with the people who mean the most to her.
There is just something so special about Milan. All of my kids are unique but each in their own way. Maybe it’s because Milan is the baby girl. Milan is a sweet girl and is somewhat shy. But that shyness goes out of the window when her siblings are on deck. She holds her own, but is the kid that every teacher says is the quietest in the class.
I have always had to take special care of Milan because she is my only child who has speech issues. A lot of parents who deal with special needs kids with severe impairments would not consider Milan as special needs. Her needs are for speech and language only.
A year ago Milan would not speak at all and with just one year of speech therapy she has come a very long way and talks more than you and me put together. However, she still has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and I know with the progress she is making that she will not need an IEP by the time she gets to Kindergarten.
So a year later on her 4th birthday I have seen this little girl blossom like the flower that she is. When I look at Milan or any of my kids, I truly know that God loves me. Happy Birthday sweet Milan. And many, many more…