Where, oh where has my little girl gone?

Amanda celebrated her 20th birthday last Friday! It's so hard to believe she's 20, let alone a mother! I remember the day she was born. It seems like yesterday.

I have video of her at the age of 3 dancing in ballet class. Then there's the video of her being introduced to her new baby brother, Shawn. It's so funny to see her sitting on the hospital bed trying to pry his mouth open to see his teeth. She was just a little munchkin with a tiny, high pitched voice and a silly giggle. She was such a help with Thomas when he came along. I have video of her rocking him in the chair, at age 10, singing to him the songs I sung to her when she was little.

Soon she turned into a teenager with a different boyfriend each week. Then the attitude hit and lord, I was wishing for the day she'd fly the coop! Now I miss her horribly and wish she was back home.

But she's a grown woman now with a little munchkin of her own. Soon she'll be the mom fixing up scraped knees and kissing hurts away. She'll be taking pictures and videos and making memories of her own.

She still calls me for advice or just to blabber alot about nothing. She still has that silly giggle and often lets out a snort or two when we get to laughing. I miss her alot but I'm glad she is doing well. Sometimes I wish they never grew up.

I didn't realize until now that the thing I miss the most about my children growing up is that I can't hold them like I did when they were little. I can't snuggle and rock them and sing silly songs or comfort them while they are upset. The hardest part of being a parent is watching as they grow up and fly away.

I don't know how to end this post. I'm rambling now. I guess I'll just say, "I love You, Amanda. I'm very proud of you."