Happy Birthday, Stella!

(sorry about the flash...I had to take a picture of a picture...)

Today is this sweet little girl's birthday! Today she is 3...

This is Stella and she came into this world at the very moment that the Boston Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. The really funny thing is that her daddy is a huge Red Sox fan and the Pediatrician who was on call was from Boston AND of course, a huge Red Sox fan...

She had a rough start in life because she was premature and so tiny. She stayed in the NICU for 2 1/2 weeks fighting for her little life. She basically has no immune system and currently undergoes regular immune builder shots and blood tests...she is so used to them that she now rarely cries when she gets stuck with the needle! We're hopeful that these shots will eventually build her immune system, but so far, no luck. So she is sick every other week (on schedule, without fail!) but she continues to grow and develop in every other area.

Today, Stella is a beautiful, smart, sweet, tender-hearted little girl. She has an unbelievable stubborn streak, but that's OK. She is tough and has had to learn how to stand up for herself. Somehow, she melts my heart like no other...

I wish for her every good thing that life has to offer. I know that she has been and will continue to be challenged, but I will always be there for her to offer my love and support. Happy Birthday, Miss Stella!!