Anna's Big Week

This was a big week for my "baby." You see, Anna turned 5 on Tuesday. Honestly I still have to shake my head because in some aspects I look at her and think "where did the time go?" Other times I swear the morning of her birth seems like a million years ago. From the day Anna came into the world our lives have been in overdrive and she has been a force to be reckoned with. For the first months of her life she wanted no one but me. My first weeks back to work after my 12-week maternity leave tested poor Bill to the edges of his limits. At about 3:00 each day he would start calling me at work inquiring if I truly was coming home at 4:30 (Anna provided a lovely background noise at this point). Generally I would get a couple more calls and each time Anna let her presence be known. Then from the minute I walked in the door she would latch (literally and figuratively!) on to me until I put her to bed at night.

I am happy to say that she is quite the daddy's girl now but she seems equally content to have mommy time and "girl's days." She also is like looking at myself from about 35 years ago! Fiercely independent, passionate about her likes and dislikes and a girl of many many many words. I love it!

Anna is so proud of the fact that she is now 5. Kindergarten looms around the corner and I finally realize that she is more prepared for that day than her mother is. As a parent you find yourself longing for the day when your baby walks and suddenly they are running FROM your arms. You can't wait to hear their first words and suddenly it seems you can't get in a word edgewise. You long for them to become more independent and dress and feed themselves but find the words "I can do it myself" remind you that they really are growing up and no they won't always need you. These are the thoughts that have been tumbling through my mind this week. Bittersweet indeed.

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