miss Hannah banana.

I admit I was a little, okay a lot, surprised when I delivered our firstborn and lo and behold!  it was a girl!  up until that point, all (at the time, five) of Gary's siblings had bred males first, and so I just assumed we would have a boy as well.  heavens, why break the trend?  but I guess eventually someone has to buck the system and become the "black sheep," right?  may as well be me. (actually, there has since been a couple others that have had girls first, so phew!  I'm not the only black sheep now ;-)

I feel fortunate to have been blessed with such a wonderful daughter (although are there any other kind? :-)  from early on, Hannah's been a superb helper, my right hand (sometimes left, too!), and without her I'd have drowned a long, loooong time ago.  not even kidding.  girls, by nature, just seem to possess those motherly instincts, starting at a very young age even.  they have the distinct capability to see what needs to be done, and they do it, no questions asked.  if either Rowan or Scarlett has a poopy diaper, they take the initiative to change it.  whereas Jake, he'll avoid diaper duty at all costs, claiming he "never smelled anything."  pfft, whatever kid.  as if you can't smell the noxious odor that is wafting throughout the entire house, practically burning the nose hairs.      

anyway, my intentions aren't to pooh pooh the young male species here, because I know there are plenty who are indeed responsible and capable individuals, whether it be inherent or learned.  and Jake will definitely pull his weight if he has to-- emphasis on 'HAS.'  also, boys do come in handy at times, especially when it comes to fixing bikes and killing spiders and all that manly, macho stuff that girls simply don't have the knack or guts for. but as far as babysitting/housekeeping goes, when I compare my two oldest (girl vs. boy), hands down Hannah wins.  there's simply no comparison. none. although it probably doesn't help that Jake knows she'll take over at his first cry of distress.

Hannah is pure sweetness through and through.  she has a heart of gold and a personality that sparkles and shines, even through the gloomiest of moments.  feeling blue? no worries, her bubbly nature and infectious laugh will cheer you right up.  guaranteed. 

LOVE this girl with all my heart.

FYI- there are a TON of pictures, but they were all so gorgeous I just couldn't decide! enjoy!                                      

whatever her goals and aspirations may be in life, I'll be there to support her, 110% of the way.

and speaking of goals, I accomplished mine for the week.  go, me!  completed week three of training, adding weights to my repertoire.  for an extra punch on yesterday's hike, I lugged Rowan on my back.  we're talking 30+ pounds of oscillating weight that eventually turned into dead weight once he fell asleep.  pure torture!  needless to say I was soaked in sweat, and covered in drool where his face rested against the back of my neck as he slept. lovely!  thinking I'll go for distance tomorrow with a 6-miler.  sound fun?  I know you're all jealous, hee.  haha.  haaaa.

happy weekending!  oh, and don't forget to dream BIG!

-jessica