Things I love about my Sweet Caroline

*Walking through the door and seeing my baby girl smile as she recognizes me.

*Holding her when she falls asleep after drinking her bedtime bottle. I love the heaviness of her tired little body.

*Listening to her babble and hearing the occasional Dada and sometimes Mama.

*Pigtails! (And the more popular and easier to do ponytail too!)

*Listening to her laugh at the silly dog.

*Playing peekaboo.

*Sneaking in at night to watch her sleep...with her butt up in the air.

*Seeing the pure adoration that she has for her Daddy. He is her world. I can't even explain how much she lights up when I ask "Where's Dada?" and she looks at him.

And my most favorite thing right now...

*Sweet little baby kisses! (when she'll give them of course)

It's been five years since 9/11. I was at work that day at the doctor's other office. I was by myself and there was no TV. I was listening to Kidd Kraddick in the morning and trying desperately to get something on the internet, but it was slow b/c so many people were trying to do the same. I was worried about my cousins who lived in DC. My uncle was in midair and had to land immediately. I got a hold of my Dad and we both just cried. John and I weren't married yet and had only been engaged about a month. I remember calling him and he was desperate to go up there and help. It amazes me everyday that I have one of those heroes that will run into a burning building and help.

As I held my daughter close and watched the recap on the news on Monday, all I want to do is protect her. What happened on 9/11 was a horrific moment in American history and I support ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that can and will prevent this from happening again in our lifetime and possibly to my child.

God Bless America. We are lucky to have freedom of speech and so many other things that some just don't seem to appreciate. I have read what I consider to be loads of bullshit the past couple of days and I try not to comment on it, but I can't help myself right now. I want to get in someone's face and yell, "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN? HOW DARE YOU!"