Nine years ago today, after 4 days of labor, I held in my hands a 7lb 2oz, wrinkly pink, yawning baby girl. And she was perfect.

Today, she is a sassy, intelligent, social butterfly that still holds an air of innocence and is full of wild laughter. There’s nothing in the world I love more. I still hope I don’t mess her up too badly.

Here she was 9 years ago:

Here she is today. As you can see, we haven’t gotten around to take the official 9-year-old/Christmas photo yet this year.