If I had a baby girl on this day in 1997, she must be 13.
I carried her in my body for almost 42 weeks.
I nursed her as a newborn. I watched her blossom into a gorgeous, bubbly blue-eyed baby. I tried to wrap my mind around her toddler tantrums and antics and managed to get her through those years unscathed.
I watched her write her name as a preschooler. I dropped her off at school on her first day of Kindergarten. She read thicker and thicker books and completed math problems with increasingly high numbers—without my help.
She grew taller, lovelier, wiser.
She is still growing in that direction, up and eventually away. That’s the goal, right? For our children to be independent, self-sufficient, productive, good, and on their own.
She’s entering the last official stage of childhood with an eye on the future. She is optimistic and proud, but she is also realistic. During dinner on a recent night, she told the boys there may be days ahead when she is very crabby and days when she is happy.
It’s normal, she said.
I laughed from the kitchen, amazed by her self-awareness. Or perhaps she’s been reading The Care and Keeping of You again? Either way, she still delights me in the same way she delighted me as a hammy preschooler. She’s still cute. She’s still my girl.
It’s time for the teens around here, ready or not.
Happy 13th Birthday to our Aidan Elizabeth.
What a beautiful journey…and it’s just begun! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AIDAN!!
My first baby will be 15 on Sunday. As one with 2 years of teen experience, I have to say that they bring me so much joy!
.-= edj´s last blog ..Snippets- Five- Pinatas and Friends =-.
She is absolutely darling, in every stage!
Happy Birthday, beautiful teen!
Happy Birthday Aidan – you are a sweetheart!!
.-= Stephanie Gardner´s last blog ..You Know You Are A Foster Parent If =-.
She is so beautiful, she reminds me so much of you.
Steph
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How fun to see her change and grow in the photos. She is lovely, and I know you must be heart-bustingly (yes, I made that up) proud of her.
Peter likes to remind me that he’s only 5 years away from his teens. Reading your post makes me wonder even more what he will be like at 13.
Taller, lovelier and wiser… not to mention beautiful through and through!!! Well don eon reaching the teens and hope you have a wonderful new year together!!!
.-= se7en´s last blog ..Se7en’s Celebrities- MayaMade… =-.
I think she’ll break you in really well!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..My Poopy Day =-.
Happy birthday to your lovely daughter! (My 1 year old daughter saw the pictures of her on your blog and has informed me that she is “tyoo” [cute], her highest form of praise.)
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Ruminations While Driving =-.
Tell her Happy Birthday from Will and I. Welcome to teenagerville.
Having done it three times now, I find that my emotions are as varied as the teenager I am celebrating. I am proud of her maturity, I am filled to overflowing with love as she sprouts her wings, but I always find myself clinging quietly but desperately to the small moments that remind me of her younger days, when she needed me just a bit more. I wonder if, as their wings unfurl, they realize the resulting breeze helps to dry the tears just a little.
Happy Birthday to you new teen
Oh, how I LOVE that last picture!!
I wonder where she gets that self-awareness?
🙂 Happy birthday to your daughter AND you. Birthdays mark a change for the parents too, do they not?
.-= Kelly @ Love Well´s last blog ..I dont remeber putting get frustrated on my to do list =-.
Hoping your dear girl had a lovely birthday. She is a beauty!
Oh – and YES about the groundhogs – hadn’t thought of them! LOL!!!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..HOT- =-.
She is just gorgeous. I love that behind those blue eyes looks like a lot of deep thinking going on.
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Good luck!
She is beautiful, and so is her name.
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Nice post. She’s beautiful.
Your children are beautiful! How fun to see her through the years.
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Good work, Mom.
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Happy Birthday, Aiden. Aren’t teens (young adults) so much fun! I’ve gotten all the way thru 3 of them so far. 4 in that stage now and 2 more coming up. I love this time in their lives.
Congratulations for making it to this stage of life. Always remember, the reward we receive for not killing our teens….grandkids 🙂
God’s Blessings
awwww….I’ll get to say the same thing in a few days when my oldest of 7 (with an old soul) turns 13!
Aw such a pretty girl. Great post!
So can we get together this week and you can impart all of your “surviving the tween years” wisdom to me? 🙂
I’m here for 10 more days…