baby girl

i'm not sure who you think you are

 going from this

tiny little babychild

 

to an 11 year old...

overnight.

 

or from this little baby girl

to this happy 5th grader

in the blink of an eye.

i'm certain i took this image of you yesterday

or at least this one was yesterday. 

right?

meanwhile

this was a lot closer ...

 

happy birthday my little beach baby!

we have a little morning routine,

you & i.

i open your door & turn on your ipod,

it's usually on adele, maroon 5, or taylor swift.

i say something like " its time to wake up little bit"

& climb into bed with you for a quick snuggle.

brinkley licks your face & you hunker down a little deeper in your covers.

i tell you that you smell like a warm buttery biscuit

& that i could eat you up.

each year i tell you,

"the birdies are singing happy birthday to you"

as we listen to the sounds of spring outside your window.

you always wake up with a smile.

& each morning, get up on the right side of the bed, never the wrong.

you've always been such a happy girl.

this morning as you were putting on your new mint green top from Gap,

& using a flat iron like every other american teenage girl,

taylor swift's "never grow up" came on.

i usually equate that song with big sissy who left for college earlier this year,
yet the words are the same for you too.

"Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that"

& i thought it just keeps going...

 time

you girls keep growing up.

it's a good thing.

it really is.

daddy & i champion you as you enter each new stage

each new milestone accomplished

each new dream you dare to dream.

we're so proud of you caroline elizabeth.

lover of chocolate, harry potter, justin beiber, dance moms, 

crew cuts, & jo malone orange blossom.

you've accomplished many academic achievements this year

& have excelled in dance.

you've made new friends

& taught me how to use my iPhone.

i hope you know how very much you are loved!!

happy birthday little bit!!

~~

psalm 9.1

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
         I will tell of all Your wonders