Annie Marie is 30

 Annie keeps harassing me

 that she didn't get a birthday blog

on June 10th

dedicated to her fabulousness. 

Both her sisters got blogs about them on their special days.

 I cannot be blamed. 

The first year after I started blogging she had Ollie,

 who had open heart surgery 

the day before her mom's bday. 

Um, way more important news. 

Then this year we had the big "heart anniversary" party 

the day of Annie's birthday. 

Still the girl won't let it go.

She's relentless.

She will beat a topic like a dead horse. 

Daily beat it.

So without further delay, here goes.

She arrived on June 10th...

just a mere three weeks late.

She was supposed to be here on May 17th.

She weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 15. oz.

after pooping all over the table.

She spent her early hours looking a lot like John Belushi

but her drained mother thought she was beautiful.

 Blessedly, she morphed into a gorgeous baby in a matter of days.

 (one week old)

She made me a mom for the very first time and

 gave me a bladder that drags in the dirt behind me.

She made our couple-ness into a family.

Unlike Abbie or me( who converses with every face we meet)

and much more like Maggie, 

Annie is a shy one.

She takes a bit to get warmed up.

Once she does, she is a goof 

and usually gets so tickled she cries.

Things seem to come easy to her.

She's one of those girls.

You know the kind that you wanna hate. 

Smart, pretty and good at everything she attempts.

 But nice enough you have to like her.

 

But best of all,

she cranks out pretty babies. 

A "man pretty" husband helps too.

(pix by jme)

Now she's a mom to three.

Aubrie is 6, Ev is almost 5 and Ollie is 16 mos.

Annie quit her job doing software support

to stay at home with the kids.

After Ollie had her heart surgery and got well,

Annie put her health goals into motion 

and started with Beachbody.

She now has several coaches under her,

coaches multiple teams,

leads a free fit club and

 inspires many to take control of their health.

She is a huge advocator for Down Syndrome awareness.

She is teaching others that love doesn't count chromosomes,

and  Down Syndrome isn't to be feared.

Instead, it is a blessing. 

Annie knows Ollie can do anything 

she sets her mind to do.

Down Syndrome is just one part of who Ollie is.

She isn't a Down's baby.

She is a baby who happens to have Down Syndrome.

It does not define her. 

Annie makes us proud.

This year our first born turned 30.

Happy belated Annie.

We love you.

 Sometimes beating a dead horse pays off.

Word up.