Moxie is 9 months old. Nine months! Where has that time gone? I think of all my children, this one has been in light speed mode, and honestly? I hate it. I want it to slow down. She is getting so big, so fast, and I just want her to stay little. For like ever.

She was a blessed, wanted miracle from the moment I found out we were expecting her. We waited 5 years for her and her presence in our lives has been one of peace and calmness. She is, of all my children thus far, the most content and happy. She is happy to just BE. What a blessing in her life that quality will be!

Remember my stupid dumb doctor? Yeah. That one. The one that stressed me out to the MAX every time I went in to see him? Yeah. Freaking Moron. Well, I finally found a new one that I really like. A lot. He is just perfect for my worry wart personality, and gives me only the necessary facts. (unlike the last doctor. Remind me to tell you sometime about the whole Pituitary gland tumor incident... yeah. good times)

Well, at her most recent visit, she weighed in at 15lbs 15 ounces and is growing just grand. (take that dumb stupid doctor!) She got her 2 shots (with no lectures to me on why I was dumb for doing the alternate shot schedule) and did fantastic with them. Well, as fantastic as can be expected when you get poked with sharp, blunt objects.

She is crawling like a pro-- and actually likes to play the chase game. That's fun for us, and yes. You would be correct in thinking that NOTHING ever gets done around here because we are all playing with Moxie. All the live long day. But seriously, who cares? The laundry will always be there, the dishes too. But my sweet baby will not. So to heck with chores! I'm playing with my baby doll.

Speaking of baby doll, she and I had gone shopping together the other day, and the checker at the check stand asked me why I was carrying around a doll. I looked in my shopping cart, wondering what the freak she was talking about, and she pointed to Moxie. She asked again, all snotty, "Why do you have a doll?" Then Moxie turned to look at her, and she about came unglued. I laughed myself silly over that, which in turn made Moxie laugh like a crazy girl. Which in turn made the whole incident worth it, just to hear that amazing laugh.

She is a pro at pulling herself up to the piano and pounding on the keys all the while standing on her tippy toes. I love to hear that banging, and see the ginormous grin on her face as she carefully plays those keys. I just follow her around, from room to room, watching her discover the world. When you get to see the world again through the eyes of a baby?? Yeah. That is a gift from God.

Moxie loves her siblings to pieces. Her grin gets even bigger when they are in her line of sight. It's wonderful to hear them making her laugh, or reading her stories, or telling her "how to play". I find myself longing for the days when ALL my children where little... and loud... and needy. I told my friend recently that having all young children at home is phyiscally demanding, but older children are emotionally demanding. I would take phyically demanding again any day... just to have them all little again. And needing me, and wanting me. I never in a million, zillion years thought I would feel that way again-- my older friends told me I would-- and its true. Oh how I long for those days.

Being Moxie's mother at almost 40 has been such a different experience than my other babies. I'm more mellow. More carefree. I have completely enjoyed every single minute with her. Every. Single. One. I have never felt irritated when I have to get up with her at night (which I can count on 1 hand) or when she just wants to cuddle. Being a Mom to a baby at almost 40 has been 100% different than when I was a Mom to a baby at 25. I wish I could go back and do those first 3 babies all over again. I would enjoy the journey more, and savor every single moment. All of them.

I'm excited for her first Christmas. I know she will be more excited about the wrapping paper, then she will the gifts. I know she will be excited because the big kids are excited. But, it will be a glorious, grand morning. Seeing her excitement with her big kids at the wonder that is Christmas. Children bring Christmas alive. Why have Christmas if we can't have children around?

These children of mine? Well, they bring my life meaning. I can not imagine doing anything else with my life, except loving them. That, my friends, is the greatest Christmas gift. Being the mother to these gifts from God.