10

Amilia Anne (Millie) - 2 weeks old
Named after her Grandma and also the Millenium (Jan/2000)

15 Months

4 years old - 1st dance performance
6 years old
9 years old (almost 10) My baby girl is ten. Ten!
We really can't believe it. Dad and I were just talking about how fast 10 years has gone by. We will never forget the day you were born and how happy we were to see you. Our life has been so blessed ever since because of you and the joy you add to our family. There is something about the first baby. You take in every detail and second of being a new mommy. I will cherish our time when it was just you, dad, and me. Then you start growing and before we know it, we have 3 more babies and you are the BIG sister. You are the oldest because you can handle the responsibility of being a good example to your little brothers and sister. And even though you are the oldest, you will always be our baby girl. I am proud of the young lady you are becoming. I watched you interact with your friends at the birthday parties and I love how you are a good friend and make sure everyone feels included. I love how funny and confident you are with others. You are blessed to have many, many friends. Your fun personality draws others to want to be around you.
When it came time to plan your birthday party, you were torn because you wanted to include all of your close friends. But, you also wanted to have a sleep-over and we thought it would be too many girls! Because of this, you were lucky to have 2 birthday parties.

Party 1:
I grabbed your neighborhood friends and we picked you up from dance and SURPRISE! You were so surprised to see all of your friends in my car. I fooled you because you thought it was going to have to be the next week.
Then you picked a place to eat dinner and dessert. You chose Olive Garden, one of your faves. I had so much fun with these darling girls!


Here is everyone singing to you!
For dessert, everyone got ice cream sundaes. You got some awesome birthday presents!

Party 2:
Ice Skating at the Gallivan Center, then a sleep-over at the Marriott Hotel connected to the ice rink in downtown Salt Lake. I was impressed with how fast all the girls caught-on to ice skating. Even the boys figured it out and everyone had a great time. Quinny loved it too! The weather was awesome. There was live music and the DJ even wished Millie a happy birthday!

We went straight from skating to the hot tub and swimming. Then it was up to our room for presents and cake/ice cream. This year I made cute yummy "cake pops" and also ice cream cone cakes.




Then dad took the little kids home and I had the pleasure of having a slumber party with you and your friends. I tried to be a fly on the wall and it was then that I realized you really are in the "tween" stage. Right between young and teen. Listening to your conversations and the questions you asked the "magic 8 ball" was very fun! One of your friends was even wearing a bra and I just can't believe you are getting that close to grown-up! Of course we didn't get much sleep but who cares right? When we got home yesterday I loved that you and me got to take a 2 hour nap together! Did you feel me snuggle-up to you while you were sleeping? Could you feel me holding on to every breath, wishing that you would stop growing?

BUT, sometimes growing-up is not so bad...

You are getting old enough to babysit for short periods of time. I love that when dad and I needed to go out for some "alone time" last night, you were willing to be in charge at home. And even more, I love that when we left you in charge, we knew we could trust you to take good care of the kids.
Thank-you, and Happy Birthday!