My baby, my first-born is turning 12 years old today.
It’s hard to believe that the little person who made me a mom for the very first time is celebrating her 12th birthday.
WOW!

I wish I had more pics to show you, cause she was such a cute kid, but I’m not going to go and scan a whole bunch of the pics that aren’t on the computer ’cause….well……I’m not. She did go through a bit of an awkward stage, but she’s come through it nicely. I look at her and am amazed at who and what she’s becoming.
Even 6 months ago, she was still such a little child. She was selfish and self centered and frankly, I was worried.
But, somehow all our conversation and love and time has come together and she’s changed into this beautiful young woman……inside and out. She is caring and compassionate and responsible. I never thought I’d use those words about her 6 months ago, and not that she’s perfect, but the change is amazing.
She is an excellent student and so smart and well……I could just go on and on and on…….

She is different than what I expected….in so many ways. She loves sports…LOVES SPORTS…and would rather have a baseball glove over an iPod…..weird!?! (I asked her this morning.) She loves to play hard and hates frilly stuff of any kind….to try to get her in a dress is hell, but she does like to look nice…..so trying to find “that” balance……is……is…..trying….at the best of times. She has a style “ALL HER OWN” and it’s pretty cute – if I do say so myself!

She is communicating now so much better than she ever was, and we are actually talking about “all those gross girl things”. In fact, we just sat down the other day and shaved our legs together……weird, to think that I’m shaving my legs with my daughter now. I remember the first time I shaved my legs. She’s growing up, and I’m loving it!

I’m not saying that I want her to grow up faster than she should, but I want to encourage her to think and explore and grow and develop all within the safety of our love. I want her to learn to make “choices” and to realize that every one of those choices has a “consequence”. I want her to think though those consequences and determine if her choices are worth the consequences. I want to teach her how to make the choices that will positively effect both her and those around her.
I think that she’s starting to understand. Obviously, it’s a work in progress….aren’t we all? But I’m so proud of her and of who she’s become in these first 12 years, that I am confident she’ll do well over the next 12.
I love you, sweet girl.
I hope you have the best day at your Beauty and the Beast Musical Practise at school today. What a way to spend your birthday…..good thing that we are not all stuck on the actual day.
We celebrate for as long as it takes to get it all done…..and really, isn’t that how it should be?