Happy 9th Birthday, Isabel Hope

holding the 9-year piece to her annual collection from Mom-Mom

Yesterday we celebrated the 9th birthday of our second daughter, Isabel Hope. Each year on her birthday, a couple of things happen. First I am taken back to the day I first laid eyes on her, under circumstances never imagined during the anxious months of waiting for her birth. As I wrote on my Facebook page:

Nine years ago today, a baby girl entered the world in quite a scary way. With no heartbeat or breathing for almost nine minutes, and Apgars of 0 & 0, her survival was against the odds. But GOD had some great plans for her life and wasn't about to let that stop Him (or her!)

Secondly, I find myself plotting with Pedro about what in the world to give this unique child of ours. I've mentioned before that she is not into toys and the usual paraphernalia of little girlhood. (On the other hand, more and more she is interested in the paraphernalia of big girlhood!) Fortunately, this year we both found ourselves thinking the same thing and were able to come to a quick and satisfying conclusion that we knew Isabel would love: a pair of boots, with a heel.

modeling her new boots before church

Isabel has been longing for high heels but most styles are too grown-up for our taste or too unstable for her safety. Recently she began admiring the boots appearing for winter in Chile, and this inspired us to find something that would be pretty, comfortable and (gasp!) even high-heeled. I think it's safe to say she was very pleased!

just after blowing out her last candle

She looked so grown-up and lovely on the morning of her birthday, almost too grown up, so that I breathed a sigh of relief when I looked at this picture and saw my little girl again. Wearing a t-shirt and ready for bed, freshly clean with wet hair from her shower, and so happy to (finally!) have that long-anticipated birthday cake.

Just for fun, I looked up the birthday posts I've written for Isabel the past few years:

8 years old (2010)
7 years old (2009)
6 years old (2008)
5 years old (2007)

And this year, I want to tell her the following:

Dear Isabel,

You are our deep thinker and feeler these days. Your questions sometimes stir many emotions but it is a privilege to be the one who gets to answer them and to observe your growth into maturity not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. I am so grateful for all that you have taught me during the nine years we have had together so far, and I look forward with great anticipation to all God has in store for the next nine! I love you, my sweet special girl. Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy