This girl has been bringing us joy from the very beginning. The day she was born, I was struggling to surrender to the process of birth. Her older brother, born just 18 months earlier, had subjected me to the hardest labor I’d ever experienced, and I was terrified about having to do that again.

We knew the baby was coming; my parents had already traveled in and were caring for our other kids. The pressure was on. At 11 a.m., in frustration and desperation after hours of an early labor phase that wasn’t progressing, I messaged my husband’s family and asked them to pray. After that, I was finally able to let go. Real labor started almost immediately.

This child’s entrance into the world was the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to a painless birth. She was smiling from the very beginning. These days, she has grown into a fierce fighter and a nurturing helper in equal measure.If there is a disagreement or a brawl at our house, chances are, she’s involved. I love her independent spirit and her ability to advocate for herself. Those traits will serve her well in life. Another important quality of a fifth-born child is the ability to shine brightly in chaos.We are so glad to have this little spitfire in our family.