Ainsley Turns 9

Ainzer when she was two and a half and below at her 9th birthday party with her friend Jenna.

Hard to believe that Ains is already nine years old!

It just seems like a blink ago that we were telling her big sister the wonderful news that there was a baby in my tummy. I remember having a lot of nausea during the first few months, but no vomiting. Brushing my teeth was the worst! After that subsided, then I was exhausted! After teaching all day I would come home, put a 45 minute Franklin video on, put Mckenna in the crook of my knees on the couch, and crash out. When the video was over and I had woken up, I would then make supper- Bill ate a lot of hot dogs, pasta, and take out during all of the pregnancies and never complained.

I remember feeling Ainsley's little bottom right at the top of my huge belly just a few days before she was born. I would pat it and hope that today was the day...

I remember my dad taking me to the clinic for a check up and saying good-bye to Mckenna, as she was jumping up and down on the couch, knowing that things would be different the next time I saw her...

I remember the doctor saying that I needed to go to the hospital and they needed to give me the "strep meds" right away before the labour decided to move along more quickly. I remember waiting to check in at the hospital at the front desk, while the receptionist was having a conversation about her bedding plants with another woman. Meanwhile, I'm having contractions and trying not to let anyone around me know it. When she asked what I needed, I said I was having a baby. Then she asked when, and I said RIGHT NOW. She was all flustered and quickly got the paperwork done and sent me on my way.

I remember singing Row Row Row Your Boat in my head every time I was contracting.

I remember the terrible pain I was feeling as the doctor told me that the baby was upside down (face up, instead of face down) and I was just going to have to push on through. Huge ouch!!

I remember the overwelming feeling of joy when they placed her in my arms at 9:10 at night. She was here, she was Ainsley and we just needed a middle name. I was sitting in the wheelchair getting ready to be pushed to our room and I looked up at Bill and almost at the exact same time we said "Jade, Ainsley Jade." And that is who she became.

She has always had her own personality- strong willed, but soft, quiet, but taking everything in. As she has grown into a young girl it has been amazing to watch her find a love for reading anything and everything. She has the talent and patience for sketching and drawing and loves to share her creations. She loves Science and learning facts about anything possible. She loves writing stories, and hopes to publish one someday. She enjoys soccer and swimming. She has a goofy side to her that loves to entertain others and make them laugh- she loves to talk in quirky voices. Her giggly laugh always brings a smile to my face. She has a temper that tends to flare up when her sisters are in her space or are using her things.

She is loving and kind and above all, she is our Ainsley, and we love her so very much!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!