Happy 9th Birthday Z.!

Ah, my darling Z., you are 9 years old today! 9 years! It's so incredible to me that you are that old already, but you have grown so much in this last year that there really shouldn't be such surprise. Physically, when I look at you I see glimpses of the teenager in you. I see that same teenager in your mannerisms, the way you talk and in your total annoyance at my very existence at times too. I also see flashes of your cousin V. when she was your age in you sometimes (V. is currently 16 years old). That's a good thing!

This past year was a much better year than being 7 was. You were much more confident, happier and much less angry. I'm sure it helps that I was no longer in treatment for cancer and your daily life was much more normal. You are still incredibly imaginative, if anything more than ever before. But you also have a much better sense of when it's appropriate and when it's not.

This was the year of the interesting hairstyles (the Donald Trump comb-over with barrettes was the most interesting) and the perpetual tail (knitted tube scarves worn around the waist, often adorned with various colored hair bands). One of your best friends this year is also a "marching to the beat of her own drummer" type of kid. Another is a kid with as wild an imagination as you. I particularly loved listening to your conversations in the back of the car when you both discussed each others huge imaginary families in a "I can top that" sort of way. I love how kids at this age talk in the back seat of the car as if there is sound proof glass between the adults and them!

You've had to gather up your inner strength to deal with the discomfort of orthodontia work this year and having to give up your beloved chewing gum. But you have taken it in stride for the most part, even when you've been pretty uncomfortable. You even had to endure your first shots of novocaine for the 4 baby teeth extractions that were needed. It was difficult but you were very brave and while it was hard for me to watch you so uncomfortable, I was so proud of how well you handled it all. You've come a long way from barely being able to open your mouth for the dentist when you were 5.

I love how you still go for my hand whenever we cross the street or walk in parking lots, even though you quickly let go as soon as we're back on the sidewalk. I love how once in a while you forget that we are at school and your friends can see you and take my hand just because. I love how you decided that you wanted to take ballet and did so with serious enthusiasm, even if you didn't want your friends at school to know because "it's not good for my image Mom". But when you had your performance last weekend and you noticed one of your good friends in the audience you smiled and waved at her and was glad to see her.

We have come a long way my dear, and I hope that this coming year is a wonderful one for you. I love you so very much Sweet Pea.