So many of you walked through the pregnancy and the birth of Lila with me on this blog. Remember my produce reports? And my Lila Lunes weekly updates? Oh friends, today she’s 10. Can you even believe it?
Ten years ago today I was a 29-year-old with copious amounts of free time.
(I thought I was “so busy,” too. Ah, perspective…)
Then, I had a baby.
And everything changed.
Extra time was a thing of the past, as was sleep and the ability to have a “hobby.” I think I even forgot to pet Ferg for about 3 years…
Instead, I was excitedly consumed with this teeny-tiny, long-legged string bean of a baby that was absolute perfection.
That smile.
Those curls.
That giggle.
THE GLEE.
That voice.
The joy.
A sweetheart-muffin of a little lady who loved books, loved to pet Ferg and to wear clippies in her hair and tutus.
Oh, sweet Lila.
A ray of sunshine.
The delight of my life.
My buddy, my sweetie, my daughter.
From the minute I first held you, my heart sprouted arms and grabbed you and held you close.
I still hold you close.
And I’ll forever hold you close.
I remember when you were born feeling… ill-equipped. (This means that I just didn’t know what I was doing.)
Bath time! Oh gosh, be careful with your head. Taking your temperature! Oh no, did I do it right? Teething? Or do you have an ear-infection? Potty-training! I was winging it. Figuring it out as we went.
But, here we are! Ten years later. You’re alive, whole and complete, (except missing your tonsils and adenoids), and I think we’ve done well.
You’re awesome.
Still, as we enter this new decade, I feel kind of the same way I did when you were first born… I kind of feel ill-prepared.
Like, I don’t really know what I’m doing.
I feel like I’m figuring it out as I go.
Lila, I’ve never been the mommy to a ten-year-old before. This is new for you, and well, new for me.
I was a ten-year-old once, and I’m going to do my best to remember how I felt when I was your age.
But bear with me.
Let’s keep talking. (Even when we don’t want to.)
Let’s make one another a priority.
Tell me how you feel. All of your feelings matter to me.
Growing up is hard and I’m here to love you through it.
I’ll love you through the easy parts and the hard parts. (Please? More easy parts?)
You’ll get mad at me and annoyed with me. But know this: My heart still has arms and it still holds you close every minute of every day.
I love you, Lila Ross.
I love you for who you are, deep in your heart.
I love you for your kind soul, your sweet hugs and your thoughtful notes.
I love you just because you’re you.
It is an honor to be your Mom and I am so, so beyond thrilled that you were born on this day TEN YEARS AGO and placed in my arms for me to love and smother and hold and laugh with and giggle with and boss. (hee hee.)
Happy, happy birthday, my decade-old Lila Pickle.
I love you to the moon and back.
You make my world better.
Love,
Mommy
Ok, and here is your interview:
So much sweetness!!! Happy Birthday, Lila!!! It’s SO MUCH MORE COMPLICATED to be 10 today than it was when we were 10!!! This year Charlotte turned 9, I remember being 9, I try SO hard to balance what I hope and pray are appropriate responses to various situations while remembering what it’s like to be 9 and be empathetic.
Aw, thank you so much for reading, friend. It IS so much more complicated to just GROW up today. AMEN. Yes, you’re right.
Your words are truth, too. We try to remember, to be empathetic, and just go with it.
Turning 9 was a huge one in our house, too. I noticed such a difference in maturity.
I just watched and smiled through the entire update video! I loved it. And I love your sweet, growing, lovely, smart lady.