We brought our baby home. An infant swing, bassinet, baby rocker and changing table took over my small home. Anna was a normal baby. She was a NICU baby, so she wasn't used to being held. She liked sitting in her rocker or swing and lounging the day away. We were told not to expect anything as far as milestones go, and to let her move and grow at her own pace. We started physical and occupational therapy at about 3 months old. She was scared to death of her therapists for months, but we went twice a week, every week. Their main goal was stretching out her super tight muscles and working on her balance and coordination. And she was a rockstar. Everyone knew Anna. To this day, I can't take her anywhere in our hometown without someone recognizing her and wanting to catch up on her accomplishments. My older daughter is known as "Anna's sister" and it drives her nuts. My rockstar baby met milestones left and right. She could sit up and reach for her toys and eat rea
Why I love coming from a large family I came from a big family. I have a lot of aunts and uncles and cousins. These are people I love and hold dear to my heart, but that's not what we'll discuss today. My parents have been married for 36 years and I have four sisters. We are close. REALLY close. I have laughed with these people, loved with these people. We have endured heartbreak together, and reached milestones together. My parents have done their due diligence raising us. It couldn't have been easy. There are eighteen years between my oldest and youngest sisters. The age difference fades as we all enter adulthood. The playing field levels and our bonds grow closer. These are my people. My tribe. Never more than a phone call away. Most of us even live on the same property in rural Mississippi. Growing up with a house full of girls was hard. Our personalities are different, we handle life, love and sadness differently. Our words could be reckless, and we even resorted to