Happy Birthday Sydney!

Monday is Sydney's ninth birthday.

I cannot believe it. It kind of crept up on me without me realizing what was happening. How could my baby be 9?!?!

I love, love, love having a girl. First off, we really thought we were done having children after Noah came. But then....SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE.... we got pregnant again! I was thrilled when I found out I was having a girl. After having two wonderfully, precious but very ornery boys, I was so excited to have a sweet, soft, pink, and sparkly girl! And boy oh boy did I ever get her.

Sydney is as girly as they come. She is as pink and glittery, and sparkly and sweet as any girl could ever be. She is so much fun. From the minute they laid her in my arms, she was mine and I couldn't have been happier.

Sydney and I have a great relationship. She is very open and kind and isn't afraid to talk to me about whatever is on her mind. She loves to spend time with me and still allows me to hold her hand or kiss her face even when we are in public. She is tender and loving and adores her big brothers. Her daddy is her hero and watching her melt into him when he hugs her is just about the sweetest thing.

She is wonderful!

But now she's nine! Will nine be as great as what eight was? Will she still love me without abandon? Will she hold my hand when we walk through the grocery store parking lot? Will she want me to read to her before I tuck her into bed? Will she even want me to tuck her in at night? I don't think I'm ready for nine!

Well, I found out the answer to these questions the other night. This conversation happened when I was putting her in bed.

S: Mom, will I like being nine?

M: Probably. You're just a day older than you were yesterday. Plus, you'll still be in third grade, so not much will change. Do you think you'll like being nine?

S: (shrugs) Um, I don't know. I really don't want to get any bigger. I like the size I am.

M: Well, I like the size you are too but being nine is probably going to be pretty great.

S: Will you still read to me?

M: Yes.

S: Will you still tuck me in at night?

M: Always.

S: Will we still hold hands when we walk together?

M: Of course.

S: Good! 'Cause I don't want to be nine if things are going to change.

I think my heart just melted into a puddle. She is amazing. And, just like she needed the reassurance that things weren't going to change, I needed to hear that with the ninth birthday there wasn't going to be an abrupt change too.

Anyway, I took Sydney and her best friend, Brittany to Libby Lou in the Castleton Mall today. They got a makeover (complete with fake hair, pink extensions, make up and nail polish.) They had a GREAT time.

I love Sydney and I know when each amazing phase of our lives ends, a new exciting one will begin. I am going to do my best to just enjoy each passing day of my childrens' lives without getting caught up in the thought that OH MY GOSH...she's nine!

God Bless Sydney on her birthday!