Nine Years Flown Quickly By... Happy Birthday M

This is M a few days after birth. She had to "n...e sunbath" for some jaundice issues.

M at 19 months: Christmas 2001

M on her 2nd Birthday. She got her glasses the day before. What a new world they opened to her.

Today is M's 9h Birthday. She officially turned 9 years old at 1:29 p.m. CST.

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I remember that afternoon like it was yesterday. We had left the house early in the morning to go to the hospital for the induction. There had been thunderstorms the night before and, when we exited the elevator, there was our doctor. She was finishing a very busy night.

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Since we liked surprises, we were still up in the air as to whether we'd be bringing home a boy or a girl. Both "going home" outfits were waiting at home for my husband to bring up later. There was a "I'm the Big Brother" t-shirt on the kitchen table waiting for C to wear.

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We were ready. At least we thought. My father who always seems to make it to the hospital just in time to see the brand new baby (usually waiting in the hallway the last hour or so) had just brought P up a sandwich when the time came. I'm not sure P got to eat it all.

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When the doctor announced it was a girl, I think I was a little shocked. A girl how do we do a girl? She was stunning with the biggest blue eyes ever.

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M has been a delight. She's feisty, independent, strong willed, determined, compassionate, and passionate and all girl. While she never asked to be the middle child, she has taken to her role of big sister so well and she makes her self known enough that we never worry about her being lost in the shuffle.

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On this her 9th birthday, I can't help but look back at the blond hair curly girl who got glasses at the age of 2 and never once complained about them to the girl, who today,will go from dance class to a softball game all within an hour. Finally, she'll have her best friend spend the night and they will spend hours giggling and telling secrets while they watch movies in her room. She'll even let A in for a little while. Dad will fix over easy eggs in the morning with sausage and we'll wait for June for her official party at the lake. Like she said, it's too cold to swim yet so let's wait.

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She is a girl with a mission and I can't wait to see what God has planned for her life. I'm sure the ride will be full of fun, challenges, and lots of joy. I'm so glad that I'm along for the journey.

M in her Cat in the Hat Dance outfit last year

M donated 11.5 inches of her hair last April to Locks of Love. A year later it's almost all grown back. This girl has hair.

Fashion Show time last night. We went shopping at Justice for part of her birthday gift. This girl can shop too.

M today eating her breakfast in bed. Cinnamon Toast Crunch-her request.