She's Growing Up, and I'm Unapologetically Emotional About It

My biggest baby is turning 5 in just a few short days. I'm not sure if everyone considers this a milestone, but I sure do. It is the age she will be when she starts kindergarten...when she goes to school 5 days a week...when she has homework. It's half-way to 10! (Ok...I may be getting a bit irrational with that last one) 

I get a little sad with each birthday, knowing the last year is now a part of history. But I get very excited, too, anticipating the new things that are to come. And usually the excitement outweighs the sadness so much, that the sadness is a small speck in the back of my mind, a slight tugging feeling in my heart that I barely feel. 

But this birthday has me emotional! Every day as I check Timehop, I get a little teary eyed seeing how tiny she looked last year, 2 years ago, 3... At night I binge-watch episodes of Parenthood (I'm sadly late to this highly addictive show), and I cry as I watch the struggles the kids go through as their parents do their best to protect them, but sometimes are powerless to do so. And I know that those days are already here. 

Last night Harper started crying in the middle of the night. When I go in to check on her, she tells me through her tears with eyes still closed, that someone told her that her outfit isn't pretty. Once I was able to convince her that it was a dream, she drifted back to sleep. If you know Harper, you know she loves her fashion. And the thought of someone insulting her was enough to be classified as a nightmare. And so it starts...

At the same time I marvel as I watch her learn how to ride her bike that she got for Christmas. As Chris instructs her, I can imagine too clearly the instructions he will give when she learns how to drive a car. How lucky are we to get to do these things with her?! 

I know, I know...she's just turning 5. But it was only 3 days ago when I brought her home from the hospital, all tiny and brand new, right?? 

Five is going to be a great adventure, I just know it. However, for the next 3 days I'll be spending my time reminiscing and reminding myself that's she's still four.