Happy Birthday, Ali!

Four years ago, I sat in a hospital bed for 50 hours (one week past my due date, mind you) waiting for Ali to decide that she wanted to enter this world. My friends talk about how they would call my sister in law for updates only to hear, "no baby yet!"   Finally it was time to push and we got so excited that she was finally going to be here.  2 hours of pushing and no baby. Allison Mackenzie was quite content in her surroundings. So, around 11:00pm on August 23, 2007, she arrived via C-Section.  She was  perfect!  8lbs 11 ounces. She had cheeks that just hung off her face and a head of dark hair.

When I got pregnant with Ali, I was certain it was a boy. I was looking for boy bedding and thinking about boy names.  I wish there was a camera on our faces when they said it was a girl. Nick had this look like "what I am supposed to do with a girl?"  I just walked down the hall of the doctor's office saying "I can't believe it's a girl!"  4 years later I can honestly say that this girl has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.  I pray every day that I can be a great parent, role model, and friend to Ali. I pray God will help me have balance in each of those roles and cherish and enjoy each stage of her life (the good and bad).  I love being a parent...it's an adventure like no other.  Happy Birthday Allison MacKenzie