Happy 9th Birthday Lauren!!

Lauren in her new birthday outfit. April 23, 2008.

Mom and Lauren and Caroline at Olive Garden.

Lauren and her friends eating at Olive Garden after having had their manicures. Aren't they cute?

Wow! I can't believe that it has been 9 years since my first baby was born. I still remember it like yesterday. It was Fiesta Friday (a big deal in San Antonio) and my doctor was arguing with another doctor about who was on call and would deliver my baby. (This after being in labor for 12 hours! Needless to say, I did not not use that doctor for my other babies.) I still don't know the name of the doctor that actually delivered her. My eyes were shut and by that point I didn't care who delivered her. Then she came out a big surprise. We had been told that we were having a baby boy. 2 baby showers later, Lauren entered the world as our surprise baby girl. Jared was totally in shock. I was just glad to finally be done with labor and have a healthy little baby. She weighed 5 lbs 12 oz. But I could have sworn that she was 9 lbs! She was beautiful (even with bruises on her head from forceps to get her out) and so tiny. She has been playing practical jokes ever since. Lauren is a beautiful and smart girl. She is a great big sister to her brother and sisters. Although sometimes she does lose her patience with them just like I do. She tries very hard. She is a good little student who has worked diligently at mastering Spanish this year. She loves to play tricks on people, cracking herself up as she does. She enjoys visiting with people, dancing, shopping, eating out, writing in her journal, and organizing her room. She is a detail person, always noticing the slightest new thing or if something has changed from before. I appreciate the special spirit that she is. She is a big help to me.

For her birthday, Lauren invited 3 other girls (9-10 year olds) and she asked Caroline to come (another example of the kind big sister that she is) to have manicures and then to eat at Olive Garden. It was a lot of fun for me also. Today she got picked up from school at noon by Mama Pam and she went to lunch and then to shop for her birthday gift. She brought home a very cute Build -A- Bear. Tonight Meme and Papa and Becca brought over her gifts and a cake and we had dinner. We are going to have a family dinner on Sunday at Mama Pam and Papa Miller's house. Jared had school tonight so we didn't do it tonight. I think she had a great 9th birthday. I love you Lauren!