Sunday, December 21, 2008

I'm Not Hyperventilating...I'm Just Breathing Really Quick For Fun

Nothing in me can believe it's been five years since I brought home the best Christmas present ever.

That's right...my teeny, tiny, newborn infant turns 5 today.


When did all this growing up happen?

She was always a little silly and wild.

Daily, she reminds me that parenting is the most humbling job.

And most rewarding.

And it makes me cry more than anything else in this world.

Do you know what I love about her?

She is the exact same today as she was the day she was born.

From her first smile, her first silly face, and her first tears...nothing is different.

I'm including a lot of profile pictures because her cheeks? They are edible.

It seems like years ago and yesterday that she got her big girl bed. And MY, she was excited.

Probably because she wasn't actually a big girl.

And here?

Do you see how that cheek just dangles from her face?

YUM.

Another trait (inherited, unfortunately) that I love about Lilly is that she's a mess.

(That's not Sharpie on her teeth--just some black frosting from a soccer ball cake.)

When I pictured having a little girl, I thought it would be days of dress-up, twirling, and ballet.

Um, not so much.

It may be all of those things some day, but for now she's more into weapons and burping and coloring and playing waitress and reading and The Wizard of Oz and being my precious sidekick while Jackson is at school.

She's been growing up as I literally hold her hand, and yet I look back through pictures longing to return--just for a moment--to the days when she toddled around and spoke her first word (it was "hi").

The adventure, the spunk, and even the occasional seriousness are all parts of her that I love.


It is hard to pull off sophistication and thumb-sucking all at once.

But if there's one girl who can do it...it's Lilly.

We've let her plan a full day of celebrating, so we're off to breakfast.

Did I mention that I love her to death?

I'm going to have my pancakes with a side of precious, 5 year-old cheeks.

Photobucket

7 comments:

Mandie said...

Happy Birthday Lilly!

The Page Family said...

Love your blog always!...hey wondering if I could get your recipe for the Pumpkin pie thing...I actually forgot what Holly called it (but she got the recipe from you)...I wanted to make it for Xmas...let me know if you have no idea what I'm talking about! :)ha

Robin said...

We love you so much Lilly Bean! Happy 5th Birthday (gulp, cough, cry)

Queen B said...

Happy Birthday to Lilly and Merry Christmas to all of you!

Holly said...

I constantly have to do a triple take when Im around Lilly...I too like to remember her in a one-piece pink cozy thing drinking her Dr whatever bottle, with her chubby cheeks enjoying every bite/swallow. At least she still has her occasional stutter and thumb! Happy Birthday.

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I loved looking at each and every picture. She is so beautiful and what a sweet smile! Merry Christmas

Unknown said...

What a delightful little girl! I love your pictures! Your family couldn't be cuter. Wow : ).

I love your blog it is very beautiful! I love your spirit. It comes pouring out in every post!