Happy 12th Birthday Cailin Anne

One month ago my sweet Cailin turned 12. We are now 30 days closer to having a teenager, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how this happened! It seems like just yesterday that I was the one wearing bonne belle lip smackers (Dr. Pepper flavor) and riding my bike back and forth to my best friend Stacy's house. Shouldn't I be the one tying up the phone chatting endlessly about nothing, and not my firstborn, who now texts rather than calls, and sends pictures and messages just as silly as mine, albeit more tech savvy?



How can it be my child who is now consumed with her clothes (and rolls her shorts up twice at the waistband until I pull them down!) and the mirror? The same girl who just last year was still wearing her old tattered preschool jammies ( and yes, they were much too small!), now wants to shop only at Aeropostale. Instead of me complaining that nothing is made to fit petite figures, it is now my girl, crying over the fact that while everyone else can shop in the junior department, she is still stuck in children's sizes, also known as "babies" according to her.


Wow. These days came much sooner than I was prepared for, and I find myself desperate to hold on to "Cailin the child", and not quite ready for "Cailin the pre-teen". I love her so much, and every stage has truly been delightful, but I have entered each one kicking and screaming, and this one is no exception. Even though she is appropriately more concerned with appearance and friends, I'm thankful that she remains pretty grounded and respectful, even still enjoying time with her family.

I wish time would slow down, but since it won't I'm going to enjoy these days, watching the metamorphosis of growth in my firstborn.