Every year around this time, I can’t help, but share what I am thinking about my oldest’s birthday with my favorite thing to do here on my blog by asking her what her favorites are to see how much she has grown and changed over the course of the year for her annual birthday post.
The early days are still a bit of blur to me…
Make no mistake, I am still a bit shell shocked and nostalgic as to this, because I can’t help, but travel back those 6 years now to where it all began with me being a first time mom to this little girl, who was a once small but screaming, colicky baby that it is now so soft spoken and kind hearted as a growing girl could be.
Yet, I have been sharing birthdays here with all though, since I started this blog and hope to do so for years to come.
If you are new here and missed last years’ answers to these same questions at 5 years old, click here.
Emma Celebrating Her 5th Birthday in Pre-School Last Year…
But now onto 6 years old and her new and updated answers…
Emma Favorites at 6 years old:
1. Favorite Color: Pink
My yellow girl is now a pink girl and says she loves it, because her mom does.
Plain and simple, I am a pink girl and Emma lately wants to be just like mom.
I am sure this too shall pass as she heads to pre-teen and teenage years, where I will most likely not be her favorite person, but still I am going to enjoy it while it lasts.
And now she is almost 6 years old…
2. Favorite Movie: Frozen
Still after all this time!! No surprise or change here for my once again Frozen obsessed girl.
Still Frozen Obsessed All the Way!!
3. Favorite TV Show: Soccer after the US Women’s World Cup Win
She has been playing soccer for a few years now and absolutely loves watching on TV with her dad, who just so happens to be her coach. So, when asked this question, she didn’t even have to blink to answer this as the US Women’s World cup win was still so fresh and clear in her mind.
Having fun at soccer…
4. Favorite Book: Pinkalicious Tutu-rrific
Emma absolutely loves to read and has learned so many new sight words and even word families in Kindergarten this past year. So much so that now she actually sits and reads aloud to me each night before bed a new book. One of her favorites though still is Pinkalicious and now that Emma, who took dance, in the past when she was younger has requested to try out hip-hop dance this fall (just signed her up) Tutu-rrific is tops on her reading list. Go figure as sporty as she is with soccer she still a dancer and girly girl at heart.
Dance Recital 2013
5. Favorite Song: Olaf Sings About Summer, because my birthday is in Summer.
Yup, Emma had the same answer as last year and having a summer birthday on July 17th seems to still keep this song close to her heart. Of Course, Olaf is still number one here!
6. Favorite Thing to Drink: Gatorade – Pink
My sporty soccer girl has gotten into drinking Gatorade before each game and seems to truly just love the pink lemonade variety, the best as it is indeed her favorite color of pink.
Still a Sporty Soccer Girl
7. Favorite Thing She Likes to Do: Play with Shopkins.
I thought I was in the clear with Shopkins, but lo and behold both my girls found out about them about a month or so ago and now this seems to be a favorite for both girls, Emma especially to sits for hours playing with.
8. Favorite Thing to Eat: Pizza
I truly wasn’t expecting this answer, but pizza has surpassed all other foods this year to take the number one spot for Emma. Good thing they serve it for lunch once a week at school and that this is also the meal of choice at her 6th birthday party, where she and her friends got to make their own chocolate lollipops, too!
9. Favorite Animal: Dog
Lucky for her we still got one with Elsa, our golden retriever puppy!
Last year when Elsa was still a puppy!
10. Favorite Thing to Wear: Skirts and tanktops
I have totally lost count how many mornings over the years now that we have fought over what she will wear, because if it doesn’t have some sort of skirt or dress to it, my sporty yet, girly girl, Emma won’t wear it.
Emma’s Birth Story:
Even though it is July 17th, 2015 and her 6th birthday, I still couldn’t forget and would be remiss, if I didn’t share her birth story from July 17th 2009, because from this day on our lives were never the same again. Her birth story was anything but typical by the way.
It was my first pregnancy and I was so very excited to lay eyes on her for the first time. I remember her whole nursery decorated and just waiting for he arrival. Kevin was working that summer at a local camp teaching young boys sports and swimming. I was home everyday all day waiting for the big moment to arrive. The day before my last weekly checkup, I sat in the glider in her nursery and remember willing her to be born. I was bored, tired and just too excited for words.
Me 9 Months Pregnant. Huge & Please Excuse The Naked Belly, But the Only Pictures I have of Me from This Late in My Pregnancy!!
Thursday-July 16, 2009:
I went to my regular weekly checkup. I was now 39 weeks and my doctor informed me in his own witty repertoire (to know my doctor is to love him–seriously he is the best) as he put it, “Pregnancy is over!” I had no clue why, but then got the lowdown that my amniotic fluid was too low (dangerously low) and I would need to be induced.
I was to go home pack a bag and meet him at the hospital at 6 am the next morning. I left that appointment feeling a mix of emotions. Yes, I was the same person that wanted the pregnancy to be over, but now I was definitely scared at the prospect of labor and delivery.
I had never been through it and seriously after all my reading and knowledge (immersed myself in the weeks to come with pregnancy books about delivery, as well as having take a child-birthing class, too). So, what did I do? I went to get my nails done. Don’t ask me why I did this, but thought it would keep my mind occupied and relax me a bit. The rest of the day was a blur, except for the fact that I couldn’t sleep that night (was like a kid on Christmas Eve night). So, we watched Ghostbusters and then I tossed and turned until it was time to get going to the hospital at 6 am.
Friday-July 17, 2009:
I was indeed admitted into the local hospital at 6 am. Where I was weighed in, given a hospital gown, and asked all the pertinent questions, subsequently answering them and then getting the IV put in.
Around 8 am, my doctor finally began to induce me with the platocin. Within less then 2 minutes, the baby’s heart-rate dropped dangerously low. So, the platocin was immediately shut off. Within a minute or two her heart-rate rebounded and was fine, but my doctor wanted to wait a bit before restarting it. He also had to perform a DNC shortly on another patient (my doctor has hospital rounds on Fridays). So told us to sit tight and would return to try again, but if the same thing happened, I was to be sent immediately for a c-section, because he wasn’t going to take any chances.
Seriously, this was the one thing I dreaded and I cried to the on call nurses that I didn’t want a c-section. I had seen the video of one during the previous child birth class we took and remember how awful it looked and really just did not want to go through it if I didn’t have to. I mean I had come this far and was not prepared to go down without a fight.
For one thing, I had never had major surgery and was not about to have it now if I could help it. Yes, I was a big baby was this was concerned, but I was truly just scared. Amazingly so, my delivery nurse confirmed I was indeed beginning to have regular times contractions on my own as I was waiting and the baby’s heart-rate was fine. I remember her saying that I was having classic textbook contractions and the baby’s heart-rate was holding steady.
So around noon, they began slowly starting the platocin again and all went well this time. By around 2 pm, I had the bags of water broken to try to speed things along, because I was still only 1 cm dilated, but 100% effaced (crazy, but true). My labor was slow, painful and steady.
By 6 pm, I was only 2 cm dilated, but the contractions were getting closer and worse. I finally asked to get an epidural and it was administered successfully by a little after 7 pm. I remember finally nodding off a bit while watching Everybody Loves Raymond on the hospital delivery room TV.
I was awoken at 8:30 or so for my doctor to check how I was fairing. I was still only 2 cm and was told again that if I didn’t progress soon that I may need a c-section, because there was a fear of a possible umbilical cord compression. Yup, still not wanting to hear that and remember getting a bit panicky again at this point.
At around 9:30 pm, I began to think my epidural was wearing off and told my nurse that I was getting a lot of pressure and cramping low in my pelvis to please up my epidural. She tells me to hang on and she will get the doctor. The doctor comes in and take one look and tells me it is time. That I need to push, because I literally went from 2 cm to 10 cm in an hours time and the baby’s head was pretty much right there.Yes, I was totally naive as to what the pain I was feeling, but hey it was my first baby!
The next thing I know I was pushing and pushing for a little over an hour, when at 10:31 pm, I gave birth to Emma Grace, who was only 5 lbs 15 ozs and 17 1/2 inches. She was so tiny, but so perfect and very alert. In fact, the doctor (who had delivered tons of babies before) told us she won the award for most alert after birth!
Little did I know that she had her days and nights mixed up and would be up most nights with colic at this point. So that may explain this, but still she was perfect and all ours. Kevin and I were totally in love with her and so on cloud nine at this point.
Emma Grace the Morning After I Gave Birth to Her!!
Friday-July 17, 2015:
Well, Emma will be 6 years old this Friday and still cannot believe that the above labor and delivery of her happened almost 6 years ago. She will be in First Grade in the fall as Kindergarten is indeed behind her now. She is still small and petite for her age, but can’t believe how far she has come and how much she really has grown. We still love her so much and cannot believe how much happiness and joy one little person could bring into our lives!
Happy 6th Birthday Emma Grace–Mommy and Daddy Love You So much!!
Sisters celebrating Emma’s 6th Birthday Party this past weekend!
This post was written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons, Marcia of Blogitudes and yours truly, too.
The words for this week are: Change or Small; Please feel free to linkup and join us this week.
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Melanie says
Ah, what a cutie!! I loved all her answers, especially that she loved the WNT soccer game!! 🙂 Thank you also for sharing her birth story. Mine went a lot like yours except after 12 hours of laboring, I had a c-section. I was terrified too. In the end, I realized it was the best decision. Hayden was a big baby and wasn’t coming out otherwise. lol She was 8 1/2 pounds and 22″ long.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Melanie and I know I would have gone through with a c-section if I had to, but damn I was petrified and will never forget that feeling as long as I live!
Meredith says
She is so, so adorable! Love this yearly interview! Happy 6th birthday, Emma!
Janine says
Thank you again Meredith and I loved her answers so much, too 🙂
Leanne@crestingthehill says
Your girls are gorgeous – and pink is definitely featuring big time! Enjoy them at this stage – I always think of the primary school years as the eye of the cyclone (between all the hard work of babies and the volatility of teens!)
Janine says
Thanks so much Leanne and great way to look at the primary years 😉
Alisa/ icescreammama says
So sweet! I love that I chronicle her bday every year!
My boy is 13 this month. It is just crazy how time goes. But it is at it should be. They are growing up . It is a beautiful. (Buttersweet) experience. Happy happy!!
Janine says
Alisa, I know and truly couldn’t agree more. But still cannot believe how quickly it does go. Happy almost 13th Birthday again to your boy and thank you 😉
Liza Hawkins says
I love the idea of giving your kids an interview with each birthday. You’ll have so much fun looking back on those (and they will, too)!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Liza, I totally agree and was honestly so much fun to look back on with Emma on this 😉
Seana Turner says
Happy, happy birthday to Emma. Such a lucky little girl to be born into your family. These little interviews will be a wonderful record of her thoughts at each year of her life. I hope the day is fun, peaceful, and positively memorable for Emma and your whole family:)
Janine says
Aw, thank you Seana and I truly loved being able to interview Emma again this year!! 🙂
Dara says
happy birthday to her!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much, Dara!!! 🙂
Dana says
Happy birthday Emma! I love how so many of her answers involved the color pink. She’ll love looking at these answers when she gets older; it’s so wonderful that you are documenting all these memories here.
Janine says
Thank you so much Dana and truly hope she loves looking back on these interviews someday with nothing but smiles and happiness now 😉
Bill says
Happy Birthday to Emma! Wonderful moments that will last her parents a lifetime. 🙂 Enjoy, and thank you for sharing these moments with all of us.
Have a splendid Wednesday, Janine.
Janine says
Thank you so much Bill and my pleasure. Happy Wednesday to you, too!! 🙂
Echo says
It is so amazing how fast things change! My baby will be 4 in 11 days and I don’t even know how that happened! Happy Birthday, Emma!!!!
Janine says
I know it truly is amazing and Happy 4th Birthday to your baby, too!! 😉
Kate says
Awww happy birthday, Emma!
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much, Kate!! 😉
Jack says
Happy Birthday to Emma. My Emma is a July birthday girl too, she’ll be 11 in a week or so. It goes so very quickly but it is so much fun.
Janine says
Happy Birthday to your July, Emma too and I know it truly goes way too fast, Jack!
Jen says
Six! Happy, Happy Birthday! Can you believe how very fast it goes? Give your cutie a hug for me and one to you too Mom for giving the world such a special little girl 🙂
Janine says
Aw, thank Jen and sending hugs right back at you from both of us now, too! 🙂
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
Love the questions and Happy Birthday Emma!!!!
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much Lisa!! 🙂
Corinne Rodrigues says
This post is going to be a gift that keeps on giving for Emma. I can imagine her reading this a few years from now and knowing how much her Mommy loves her.
Happy birthday, Emma!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Corinne and I seriously hope she does get to read in a few years and know that I just adore her with all my heart 😉
Kathy Radigan says
Love this piece
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, hugs and thank you so much Kathy <3
Catherine Gacad says
wishing emma a very happy birthday from the other side of the country! my favorite color is pink too!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Catherine and love that we (three) all love pink, too!! 🙂
Julie says
Happy almost birthday to your sweet little girl. She sounds like she has a really fun personality and lots of great interests. Thanks for sharing your birth story, C-sections are scary and I was terrified I might have to have one too, because like you I never had major surgery. And hopefully still never will.
Janine says
Aw, thank you Julie and fingers crossed we both never do need major surgery ever still, too!
Kelly L McKenzie says
Happy, Happy Birthday To Emma. Please let her know that I got to go to two of the World Cup soccer games here in Vancouver and a dear friend of mine was actually at the US?Japan final. The spirit at all three games was electric. It was so much fun to walk the streets on the days of the US and Canada games. Everyone was either decked out in American or Canadian flags. I am sad the World Cup Tournament is over and hope that Vancouver gets to host another one very, very soon!
Janine says
Thank you so much Kelly and I will totally pass on your personal experience to Emma as she was truly enthralled and would have loved to witness it first hand like you did 😉
Cecilia says
Happy birthday! And my best wishes to all of you!
Janine says
Thank you so much, Cecilia! 😉
Tamara says
Aw! Our twins have a lot in common.
Except for Shopkins. I bought them for a friend’s birthday and Scarlet was curious, but luckily hasn’t mentioned it since. I just don’t get them. At all. Does anyone??
Happy Six Years of being a mom!!!
Janine says
Tamara, up until a month ago our twins had Shopkins in common, too. But now, Shopkins, Barbie and even Monster High/Ever After is taking over in my home in the last few weeks, as well. And I get Barbie, but not the others either. Happy 6 years of being a mom, too my friend 🙂
Jill Ginsberg says
What a great idea to commemorate each childhood birthday! She’s a cutie, alright, as is that puppy:)
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Aw, thanks Jill and I love using this each year and she totally got into this year. So much fun 😉
Denise Scott Geelhart says
Happy Birthday!! Oh, and I’ve heard of this idea and pinned it a long time ago. I guess I need to start soon. LOL!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
Thank you Denise and another blogger I read did it years back. So that is what made me start, too 😉
sue says
What a beautiful idea and your little girl is gorgeous. Such lovely memories for you to keep and also for her to look back on. Stopping by from #1Word
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Sue and truly so happy to share her memories here today with you 😉
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Happy Birthday to Emma! She is getting so big 🙂
Janine says
Thanks so much Robin and I know I truly can’t believe it myself!
Kelly says
aww Happy Birthday to your little girl!
Janine says
Thanks so much Kelly!! 😉
Kelly Caflisch-Arnoldussen says
It’s bittersweet to see them grow, isn’t it? Happy Birthday to your little girl!
Confessions of A Mommyaholic says
It totally is Kelly and thank you so much again!!!
Diane Roark says
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA! You were such a cute baby and a precious princess now. I love reading this update Janine.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Diane!!! 😉
Aunt Gloria says
Happy Birthday Emma! xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Aunt Gloria!! 😉
Bev says
Happy birthday to Emma! I remember reading last year’s post — I can’t believe it’s been a whole year already.
Janine says
Thank you Bev and I know I still can’t believe it was a year ago either!
samantha says
so cute! love her answers and her painting. mine is turning 6 in jan.
Janine says
Thanks Samantha and I am still a bit in shock that she will be 6 tomorrow now though.
karen says
Happy 6th Birthday!!!!!!!!.. Time flies way too fast. It really seems just like yesterday they are such small little babies and now they are going to be first graders…
Janine says
Aw thanks Karen I kept asking where did the time go indeed!!
Chris Carter says
Oh Janine!!! What a precious little girl you have and I just love all her favorites!! Your birth story is scary, and wonderful at the same time. And that pic of you holding her is PRICELESS. You are such a beautiful mama!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU BOTH!!!
Janine says
Aw, thank you Chris and I know I will totally never forget her birth story ever here 😉
lisacng @ expandng.com says
It’s always great to look back. Time certainly flies. Hope she enjoys her celebrations!
Janine says
Totally agree and thank you so much, Lisa!! 😉
My Inner Chick says
Happy 6th Birthday to your little, adorable angels!
OMGOSH, they are going to love going back to see your tributes, photos, love… and I appreciate your pregnant tummy. (I see you still had your nails done!!)
xx
Janine says
You just made me smile about the nail comment as I am on my way to a concert and was just realizing that I didn’t paint my nails in weeks and wish I had for tonight. The things that totally change once you do have kids 😉
Julie Jo Severson says
What a gift this tribute is going to be for your daughter when she is older. This is so incredibly adorable, and loving, I’m about to cry. Wow.
Janine says
Aw, sorry Julie and hope they were at the very least happy tears though. Thank you 😉
Anonymous says
Awww, I love your post, Janine!! Happy Birthday to her. And a big hurrah for Frozen and Olaf. I’m a fan too. 😉
Janine says
Aw, thank you and yay for Olaf!! 😉
Kristen says
I loved reading your story, and getting to know Emma! And you got a puppy?! I thought it was SOOOO much work?! lol! I want a Golden Retreiver too, my dream dog! Love the name and Happy Birthday sweet girl. They are getting big!
Janine says
Aw, thanks Kristen and the puppy is from last year and over a year old now though 😉
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Happy birthday, sweet girl!! I love these birthday interviews and seeing which answers change from year to year!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Rabia 😉
Ginny Marie says
Such a cute way to remember what your girls are like with each birthday! I love it! Happy birthday to your sweet girl.
Janine says
Aw, thanks so much Christa!! 🙂
Rea says
Happpyy happpy birthday to EMMA! Making chocolate lollipops is awesome! It’s so fun to know what our kids love and it’s so true that their interests change from time to time and so do ours. 🙂 Hope you’re enjoying summer!
Janine says
Thank you so much Rea and so far the summer has been a great one here. Hoping yours has been, too 😉
Nellie says
Happy Birthday EMMA!! You are so beautiful and I wish you all the best in your upcoming year. You are growing up so fast!!!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Nellie and so glad I got to see you for a bit this past weekend 😉
The Pinterested Parent says
Awwww. This is so sweet. Some answers have changed, but it looks like a few have remained the same. It is fun to watch them change. I love that Women’s World Cup is her favorite. That is awesome. Lol! You have such sweet girls. Enjoy every second. They do grow way to fast.
Janine says
Thanks again so much, Kim and I know they most definitely do grow fast!!
Nina says
I love this, Janine! I gotta do this with my kiddos. My eldest is also turning 6 this year and seriously, how did this happen?! lol I’m most sad about the irreversibility of it all. No more little baby cheeks for this one. And that’s hilarious Frozen is still her favorite movie. Hey, it took me a while to get over some of my old favorite Disney movies (ahem: The Little Mermaid).
Janine says
I hope you do get to do this Nina and I know was shocked how much Frozen still has staying power in my home!! 🙂
Samatha Square says
My daughter is turning 6 as well. And I’m obsessed over how many pizzas we need to buy for My Gym birthday party. It really puts life into perspective when we can appreciate the bigger picture. Thank you for sharing!
Janine says
Aw, totally my pleasure and trust me I totally get the pizza head count here though, too 😉
Leslie says
So very cute! I hope she had a wonderful birthday. LOVE that she chose soccer as her favorite TV show. And how she’s at a perfect age to remember that they won this year, especially since she’s playing soccer too.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Leslie and I know it is really awesome that she is now at that perfect age to indeed remember 🙂
Stacey Gannett says
Awe, what a beautiful post Janine! She is so adorable. Definitely enjoy these years, they do grow so fast. I miss those days with all of mine, but I think more so with lil miss as my baby. Happy Belated Birthday to Emma! And Pinkalicious is great! Have an amazing week!
Janine says
Thank you so much Stacey and wishing you an amazing week ahead now, as well!! 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
Very impressed with her answer to #3. That probably means she’s really going to be into playing for a long time. You ready for that? 😉
Janine says
Kenya, I am so not sure, but still I know very impressive and can’t agree more on that with you ever! 😉
Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
Aww, so sweet! I’ve done this with my oldest too but I think I should start with my youngest! She’s definitely old enough to answer questions.
Our oldest girls have so much in common (aside from pizza being a favourite food).
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a lovely week (and a happy belated birthday to Emma)!
xoxo
Kristi Campbell says
Happy happy birthday to your beautiful Emma, Janine! I’m so glad you didn’t have to have a c-section!!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Kristi on both counts!! 😉