My Crazy Crazy Life in Gilbert: September 2009

My baby girl, my only girl, my first born...Sydney is 12 today. Where has the time gone? I'll never forget the day I found out about her. Sydney knows this story. I tell it to her all the time. Not to show her that she technically was not wanted, ha! (so we thought)...But to show her that what we thought was our biggest mistake turned out to be our biggest blessing. My doctor who told me I was pregnant came out to the waiting room, as I sat there crying, and handed me a pink carnation and said "here...maybe it'll be a girl"...and guess what...9 months later...I got my baby girl.

I cried for 9 months because I didn't want to have a child and then after she was born, I cried for another 9 months because I couldn't believe how special and beautiful she was and that I actually thought that I didn't want her in the first place. She changed my life!

At 11:59 p.m., 12 years ago today, on her due date...(with only a minute to spare)...Sydney Rayne came into this world. And ours lives were never the same again.

I couldn't believe how beautiful she was. While I was pregnant with her I used to cry all the time because I thought she was going to be ugly. I still crack up that I was so worried about what she was going to look like. I know, I'm shallow like that, but come on now...who doesn't worry about that, right??? Scott pulled her out and laid her on me and I couldn't believe it...she was GORGEOUS!!

When she was a baby, I would hold her all day and all night. I never wanted to put her down. To this day some time I catch myself staring at her in amazement. She is truly unique and awe inspiring to me in so many ways. She's so beautiful inside and out. Having her in my life has changed me forever! I know I am a better person today because of her!

Sydney has 3 little brothers and everytime I got pregnant and had another, she would just cry because she wanted a sister so bad. That is my ONLY regret to this day....that I never gave her a sister. But she has PLENTY of cousins to keep her occupied.

She's kind and caring and loves life! She likes to shop. She is definitely going to send us to the broke house with her love for all things Juicy Couture. The funny thing is this is what I love about her probably the most. I love how she can hang with the boys but then can totally get all diva'ed out.

She also loves to cook and will try ANYTHING I make...which of course makes her a keeper, in my book!

She works so hard in everything she does. She is a straight A student in an accelerated class. She gets her own talks up for the meeting and does a GREAT job. We are so proud of her for doing her best in everything she does.

She loves to hang out with her friends and chit chat and design clothes on the internet. She loves to read and play her viola. And if she had her way...she would still be sleeping in the same bed with me and Scott. Just this morning she quietly strolled in and crawled into bed with us.

I'm so glad she was a girl and that I get to experience having a daughter. It's fun to go shopping or lay in bed and read a book or a magazine with her. Words cannot describe how my heart melts when I see her all dressed up for the meetings and her bags and books ready. I never have to tell her twice. She knows when I'm stressed out and will jump right in and help me out. She's so grown up. I can't believe it's been 12 years already.

She's also star struck and loves to meet and read up about famous people. She's alot like mommy in that way.

Did I mention, she loves to shop, oh, and have LOADS of clothes. She's alot like daddy in that way.

Even though I tremendously miss her being a little girl, I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her life and to see the wonderful woman she becomes. She brings us so much joy and even though we are tough on her at times, I think she knows it's because we love her and want only the best for her.

Dear Squidney, you were absolutely GORGEOUS when you were born and you have only gotten more beautiful with each passing day, inside and out. Daddy and I are so very proud of you. You are growing up to be quite a little lady. You make us so proud and we love you very very much!!! Please don't ever stop loving us...it would crush us. So if you could please not turn 13 and just stay 12 forever...that would be great!