My "baby" girl turns.....

years old today.



Eighteen years ago to this day,
Taylor Virginia Mills was born at 1:14am on July 31st, 1992...
2 hours after the USA won a gold medal in the Summer Olympics, 90 minutes after my water broke, 45 min after we left for the hospital, 14 minutes after I arrived at the hospital, one hour and 14 minutes after her sister's 6th birthday, which had to be cancelled because I was in labor.


I have eighteen things to say about my baby.


1. The birth of my youngest child was by far, the easiest labor and birth of my three. However, her birth narrowly missed occurring in the hospital parking lot.


2. As an infant, she was relatively placid and easygoing, but that all changed when she hit the "terrific" two's. At two years old, she knew what she wanted, and she wanted it NOW.


3. She changed clothes constantly as a child, into different outfits, into "dress-up" clothes, or into my clothes; her teachers reported that she was constantly in dress up clothes during preschool.


4.She decided one day, a little past two years old, that she was done with diapers...and was dry from that day forward.
5. When she was told "no" about anything, she would roll on the floor, kicking and screaming. She got even madder when we all thought it was funny.
As she got older, she would stamp up the stairs really loud and slam her door.
6. She was and is, extremely compassionate--even as a young girl; she would gladly give up anything of hers so that someone else wouldn't be sad.
7. She couldn't wait to go to school, and loved every day of preschool at age 4.
8. At 7 years old, her second grade teacher, Mrs. Watts, called her an "old soul".
This would be the first of many many times she has been called that by her teachers.

9. Her favorite toys throughout her childhood were dolls. One doll in particular that we had bought for Lyndsay when Joe was born called Chelsea Alice, Taylor "adopted" and brought everywhere. She would mother all dolls, including Barbies, dress them, kiss them, cuddle them and lift up her shirt to nurse them.


10. She was enthralled with any and all animals, and cried inconsolably when our cats died.


11. She was my shadow when she was younger...anywhere I went, she wanted to come with me. Grocery store, errands...didn't matter.
12. She was, and is, extremely perceptive. She knows instinctively how someone feels, and how to respond. (the "old soul")
13. She was my most adventurous eater as a child, and loved going out to restaurants.
14. We didn't know if she was going to be a girl or a boy when I was pregnant, and as I pushed her out, Jim yelled "Another redhead!"
15. No one on earth has more gorgeous hair than Taylor. NO ONE.
She was born with a massive amount of curly red hair and the bluest eyes you have ever seen. The only blue eyed person in the house, I might add.
16. She is, by far, the child who makes us laugh the most.
She has a great sense of humor, and is very witty.
17. Despite the temper tantrums and slamming doors, Taylor has been and is one of the most loving, honest, endearing, funny, respectful, compassionate, intense, and daring person I know.
She has been a joy to us and we will miss her terribly when she leaves us for greener pastures.
Get ready, St. Mike's. Your campus will never be the same again.

And for you, Taylor, a final bit of advice....


18. Taylor,


You are beautiful, inside and out.
Happy Birthday, my lovely 18 year old daughter.
Love, Mom