I wonder if we had fed her less over the years, she would have stayed small and cuddly?
I remember the day she popped out her mom. It was yesterday. Or it feels like it. I remember every detail of it.
Where did all of that time go?
Today, our daughter started Jr. high school. 6th grade. Holy Tweener, Batman, when did she get that old? I remember going to the school’s Christmas shows and thinking, “wow, look how big those Jr. high school students are. Glad that’s a long way off.”
I AM AN IDIOT. That time is here.
So, on my 29th work day in a row, I’m a little discombobulated by the speed at which my daughter aged. It seems very unfair. And, if there is a God, I’d like to register a complaint with her right now.
The sweet spot of childhood is definitely over. Ages 2 to 11 are the golden years – pajamas with feet, princess dresses, riding on my shoulders, Santa, the Easter bunny, Disneyland trips just before Christmas, a homemade dollhouse, the beach, bringing home a yellow lab puppy.
Don’t be surprised if you read my blog post in seven years about how I’m going to miss the last seven years and how quickly they went. It’s gonna happen.
Yes, Heaven, hello. Please connect me to the complaint department. I’d like to discuss the concept of time and childhood and how to improve it. Yes, I’ll hold.
The Unknown Cystic 
Dear Madman of LAShire,
Good luck with the upcoming teenage years! And don’t get me started on the I’m old enough to go out drinking with my mates now age!! 😉
Sir Sean
Sir Sean,
I thought they started drinking at age 10 in the UK. If Lauren didn’t start til her teens, you did well as a parent. Nice job.
UC
UC,
Ditto on Sir Sean’s comment and best start saving up on the auto insurance. Just cherish the years; cherish the years.
Great picture BTW.
Larry
Larry,
First rule here, never ditto Sir Sean’s comments. That only encourages him. We mustn’t do that. It’s a like a bear in the wild: we don’t want him to become used to human food. Otherwise, he’ll never leave the campground.
UC
And oh yeah, don’t even think of college cost. Got a spare arm and leg?
Larry
Larry,
Oh, college costs. I’ve told her a lifelong career at McDonalds is nothing to be ashamed of. And I’ll get free McGriddles. We started saving for her college many years ago, but with the way costs have gone up, I feel like it’s nothing compared to what it will cost.
UC
D was just 10. freaky.
OnlyMatt,
Like a blink. Can’t believe it. Send a recent picture, please. H and T will want to see her.
UC
Yes, you will be writing that blog post in 7 years! I can’t believe that I’m now the mom of grown children. I remember moments but it’s gone so fast that it’s feels a blur on a fast ride. Ride being the operative word. I know this is not normally the case, but the teenage years were my favorite. I loved watching my precious babies turn into amazing adults. I loved how our conversations changed and I learned so much from them when I could look past the insignificant stuff. There’s a lot of crazy, but you can get beyond that to the great stuff. I think our teenagers need us more than when they are smaller. They just want us at a distance instead of right there. So, I say congratulations on a job well done and now you get to see some of the results. Enjoy! Oh, and with girls, here’s a tip on how to communicate:
My husband had to learn the hard way to just listen. Now there’s this helpful video.
Margie,
I really appreciate this comment your wrote. I don’t get the video at all, but I love the comment. It gives me great hope the next few years will be great. I even told my wife what you wrote and that everything will be okay because Margie says it will. 🙂
The distance. That’s the hard part. Oh, yeah, about the video again. The woman in it is hot. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
UC