...a pink bundle of joy made her appearance ( 3 weeks late).
I turned around to change her diaper one day, and she was already one.
I ran to the grocery, and then she was three.
Did a load of laundry and she was suddenly four.
Silly as can be with just a tad of personality.
She amused us with her dignified ways at her first tea party....
and I patted myself on my back after giving her her first perm...
We clapped with abandon at her first recital....
Watched (and sang from behind with the guitar) as she danced with her sister to 'Breath of Heaven'
Giggled at her larger-than-life, never-ending make believe games...
Thanked my lucky stars when she helped get the baby to sleep
Blinked....and she was in jr. high...
then suddenly going to her first high school dance...
and realized she was almost as tall as me!
Stood in the stands to cheer on my cheerleader...
...and my show choir soprano.
And then I brushed my teeth and I swear she was 16.
We sometimes endured a round of pouty teenager...
But mostly enjoyed her cheerful antics, like posing with sis.
And then I put some gas in the car, and it was time to schedule senior portraits....
Then I'm sure it was just the next day, and we were overcome with pride watching her receive awards, trophies and an honors diploma....
But then, I took a shower and she brought a boy home.
And just like that, we were buying a wedding dress....
walking her down the isle....
and savoring the father/daughter dance.
In the blink of an eye she went from this....
to this. The blink of an eye.
Today, my first baby girl turns 21. So much has happened, so many 'firsts', and yet I still remember those wee fingers uncurling as she made her entrance into the world without a sound. She's made up for those first silent moments (grin), and I wouldn't have her any other way.
Happy Birthday Schmodie.
You are a gift, a treasure, and forever my baby girl with a ribbon scotch-taped to your bald head.
I love you.
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is beautiful! My boys are ages 6 and 8 and the time has flown by. I can only imagine how I'll feel when they get married! Congratulations on a beautiful family.
And, thank you for your great blog :)
Ohh I LOVE this post, bought a tear to my eye. My kids are only young, but it feels like it is going waaaayyy too fast for my liking!!
ReplyDeleteOh how sweet. What a beautiful young woman. Happy Birthday to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAwww....so sweet.
ReplyDeleteShe's a beautiful girl! Makes me want to hit the pause button on my kids :) Happy Birthday to your 1st!
ReplyDeleteOh I know how you feel! I blinked 3 times and my bald little girls went to 19, 23 and 25! Just like that!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this has me bawling. Literally. I know I will feel the same way one day when my baby girl leaves the nest. Beautifully written, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful. Many happy blessings.
ReplyDeleteThis totally got me. It was so sweet. Makes me sad knowing this will be me in what now feels like ages away, but in a moment it will be here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI totally took my dear sweet time scrolling through this post and relishing in every loving word. I didn't want it to end. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to such a gorgeous daughter! Her mom's pretty kickin' gorgeous as well. :)
LOVE this! I'm right here celebrating this day along with you!
Donna
What a sweet post! You made me cry! I have a four year old girl, and it sure does go fast. We should all be so lucky as to have a daughter as lovely and successful as yours! Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteSniff sniff. Pass the tissues, please. Cindy, that is a lovely tribute of the love you have for your "baby" girl. Thank you for sharing. Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter.
ReplyDeleteYour Friend,
Deborah
Cindy- That is so timely today for me. On my way home this morning I thought to myself that I have to do my daughter's birthday post because I was gone ON her birthday. You are so blessed to have such a beautiful daughter. She is lovely...just like her Mom! Happy Birthday and Happy Mom's Day to you- Diana
ReplyDeleteThis was the most beautiful post. Really heartfelt. They grow up so fast. Happy birthday to your daughter.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lee Laurie
Made me cry...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your daughter!
What a lovely post, Cindy! Your girl is beautiful - truly. Just like her Momma.
ReplyDeleteYou made me cry. Really. My daughter, who turned 31 this year recently had surgery for a brain aneurysm......and that's when you realize that in a blink of an eye it can all be gone. Thanks for this tenderhearted post. It was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the cry-babies too- bit emotional!!I just want to give you all a big hug.,Thank you for sharing this with all of us,your little girl who has turned into a beautiful woman, all your memories .How blessed you are!!!This was such a very sweet post.Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA blink of an eye, that's for sure! So a lovely post. My baby will be 17 next week. It won't be long and they will all be out of the house. What will I do?
ReplyDeleteShe is absolutely beautiful!I wish I could have one more day of my kids being little,but then it would be heartbreaking when that day was over.
ReplyDeletetears to my eyes...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Cindy. Really fun and touching to see these pictures and read your sweet mama reflections!
ReplyDeleteOh Cindy Lou Who that was no more than two - this is one of my favorite posts of yours. Goodness - she's a keeper. I loved meeting that chatty thang. You are an incredible mother - well done girl - well done.
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across your site, read this entry and got tears in my eyes (even though I don't know you) From a new mom - to an experienced one - I appreciate the love you expressed over your daughter... you're right - you blink, and they are grown!
ReplyDeleteOh, how beautifully said. I felt each milestone. I too have a daughter that seems to grow-up in the blink of an eye. Very tender. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your beautiful daughter. You wrote a very loving tribute to her today.
ReplyDeleteJane
She's beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how fast time goes. I wonder if I'll ever be blessed with the feelings and emotions you've described in this post. You are blessed Cindy!!
Happy 21st to your beautiful girl!!
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ReplyDeleteCindy-what a fantastic post!! Your daughter is beautiful ! My oldest son turned 18 last month... I know just what you mean about going to the store or brushing your teeth. My other two little babies aren't far behind either! The grow so incredibly fast! Touching post and happy birthday to your daughter!!
ReplyDeleteAs a mother of 2 girls, I have tears in my eyes as I'm reading this. I have also watched my 17yr old grow within a blinks of my eye and my 8yr old is sprouting like a weed. Thank you so much for sharing you daughter with us ... Happy Birthday to her : )
ReplyDeleteHoly smokes you've got one gorgeous family on your hands!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful daughter you have! Congratulations on her wedding and her birthday. So young! Wow!
ReplyDeleteCindy, that smile could light up a room. She's gorgeous. I welled up reading this. She's so lucky to have a mother like you.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Beautiful post! I'm the only daughter in my family and treasure my relationship with my mom. This was an awesome read!
ReplyDeletethis was the sweetest post ever, and your daughter is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteplease tell me it doesn't really go by this fast. i can't imagine my little emmy getting married. my heart is breaking a little. and though i do have pms, i admit to crying through the entire post.
As a new mother. I got the goose bumps. Your brave for letting her go at 21! She is beautiful and gosh that wedding dress was amazing. Loved the post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post... thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI teared up reading this~you put everything I've been feeling lately into words.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post.
This is the sweetest post I have read in some time.
ReplyDeleteThis is the sweetest post I have read in some time.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteSo very true, in the blink of an eye, life will pass you by! Beautiful post, a great story was told by your photos!
Something to treasure forever!
-PS i may join you one time for the MI4M post!
-loretta
What a sweet blessing to read this tonight. My son is eighteen and a senior this year. We have homeschooled throughout his school years except for two. I have recently had to go through photos to pull out for his senior page in the yearbook. Can I just tell you how sad this is for me. I actually tear up just telling you about it. I know it doesn't matter...BUT...I AM NOT ready for this. I am praying about it and I know this time will come for all three of my children, but it sure isn't easy. I can only imagine when one comes home and tells me they are getting married. Oh my...
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is a beauty just like her mama.
OH MY! I was just thinking about how very fast their childhoods move and then I read your POST! URGH! It's soooo bittersweet having them grow! SHE is just such a beauty, she looks like her momma!
ReplyDeleteOMG- I've never posted here before, but you brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteOk- can't see- everything is misty- thank you for such a nice birthday for your daughter!
What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful daughter. Time does go by so quickly and my first born will be off to college next year :( What a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteProud of yourself? You seemed to make the whole world cry! *sniff*
ReplyDeleteCrazy how the years go. My young friend's first child recently turned 1 and she just didn't get why it was such a big deal for me that last Saturday my oldest turned 18! One day she'll look back and realize how quickly it becomes a memory!
Happy b-day to yours!
Hugs,
Me
I had just posted a similar post on 10.26 about my son who is 5 (and everybody knows it). I laughed at your comment ... "I took a shower and she brought a boy home" ... that cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful daughter!
I had just posted a similar post on 10.26 about my son who is 5 (and everybody knows it). I laughed at your comment ... "I took a shower and she brought a boy home" ... that cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful daughter!
Your daughter is such a beautiful girl. They grow up too quick. One of mine turned into a teen this year. Very fun post!
ReplyDeleteWaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't do this to a mama with a four-year old daughter.
It ain't right.
It's downright mean.
PS - That daughter of yours? Gorgeous.
Happy birthday Mommie and Daughter.
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful, inside and out, and she takes after her mother.
Cindy, this is my first visit to your blog and I am thrilled to have found you! Your story about your daughter brought tears to my eyes! I too, have a daughter (now 21) who grew up while I was having breakfast!!!! Your words so perfectly captured that feeling of "what the heck?" THank you for sharing... :) mercedes
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful ...
ReplyDeleteMy girls are 2 and 4 and I sometimes wish I could tell time to stop. I know it won't be long before I'm looking back the way you are now.
Happy Birthday to your "little girl"!
~Melanie
Came across this. Thanks for smearing my mascara.
ReplyDeleteStop it. you are making me sob. ;-) *sob*
ReplyDeleteMy "baby" is only 10, but I can't believe how fast that has gone by.
*sniff*
She's beautiful. Loved this post!