Still. Not Ready

This is my babygirl, aka The Brat. Ok...Actually THAT is how I picture her. That’s not really how she is. SIGH. This is The Brat, circa 2008

(Halloween party. Yeah, she's a goth something or other...Yeah, she had to wear a shirt under that there outfit because HELLO? she's 12)

I don’t really miss the baby days. I do look back fondly of the new baby smell and the cuddles and the cute baby outfits. But I don’t really miss the changing wet diapers, OMG I don’t have a babysitter, what the hell did she just put in her mouth?! days. I miss THESE days:

5 years old (First Day of School, Boston)

7 years old (Downtown Boston, day on the town with Daddy)

8 years old (Renaissance Faire, Canton, Mass)...Wait. I don't miss this. We still do this every year, just different State.

Anyways, my point is..I miss THOSE days. Those days are the I still want my mommy sometimes days. It's sort of double-edged. You can't wait for them to get older and become more independent.... until they get older and become independent.

11 years old (random event, So. California)

Time is NOT on your side, ladies & gentlemen. These babies we have grow up and start kindergarten and middle school and hanging out with their friends at the mall and not needing you as much to hold their hands for the little things. And I’m NOT looking forward to holding her hands through the BIG things: 1st boyfriends, 1st dates, 1st heartbreaks, 1st TIME (*screaming on the inside* I can’t believe I just said that! But I have to keep it real. Even when I don’t want to)

What brought all this on? Why am I having a minor meltdown about The Brat/Teenager getting older?

This week, I received this

She’s going to High School. And I’m totally NOT ready. Why can’t she just stay like this forever?

9 years old (Knotts Berry Farm, CA)

SO not fair.