Gone Baby Gone

I remember very vividly what the days and nights were like after we brought our little miracle baby home. I spent hours and hours snuggling and nursing her in bed. Daddy would come home for lunch and be discouraged that we hadn't really gotten up for the day yet. He didn't fully grasp that days and nights all become the same, and he worried that I was going to sleep until 1pm forever and ever. I was tired, but mostly I just loved being next to her, feeding her and taking care of her. I loved watching episodes of Little H0use on the Pr@irie while she slept next to me in bed. I loved being right there for her when she woke up. There was nothing better than being with her, cuddling her, looking at her pretty little fingers, toes, nose, lips, eyes, every little piece of her. I remember it well, because I knew. I knew those special days and moments would slip by fast and so I enjoyed every second. Suddenly we have a young lady in our family. A three year old going on thirty. She's smart, silly, clever, loving, stubborn, and fun. She can do somersaults, count to twenty-five before she loses interest, and she can hop "really, really high!" She loves to make silly faces that I try not to laugh at. She tells stories and makes up words. She demands things, throws temper tantrums, pushes buttons, and tests limits. And she loooooves going to her new pre-school!!! I don't think either Daddy or I realized just how fast our lives would go from sleepy cuddles to pre-school, soccer, music, dance, playgroups, and parties. It's not the same as it was during those first weeks, but I love it just the same. Our little one has gone from a sleepy snuggle-bug to a big school-girl in the blink of an eye. She may not be a baby anymore, but she will always be my baby...and I am so proud and lucky to be her Mommy!