Tuesday, March 20, 2012

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

52 comments:

Kelli said...

Happy birthday sweet girl! What a ray of sunshine in your lives :)

gina smith said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!!_

Debby said...

So sweet. Happy Birthday to Little Bit. She's just the icing on the cake to your beautiful family.

Anonymous said...

Oh Paige, how many times have you made me cry with your beautiful and descriptive writing? Well, today was no exception. Bless your sweet girl, such a precious angel. I am a momma of four....two girls in college, one son in high school, and my last little sweet baby boy...a seventh grader. I treasure each stage, each accomplishment, but boy do I wish I could hang on to them, could've hung on to them, and freeze time. I miss those sweet and tender moments, and little hands curled up in mine. Bless you, Paige, and all your "Simple Thoughts"....
Linda

Christy said...

I can so relate to your birthday post. My little girl will turn 10 in June! Where does the time go? She is getting big so fast. :( She's my oldest. Our baby will turn three in a week. (sigh) Loved your tribute to your little doll!

Tommy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aunt Grits a.k.a Maggi said...

how great! today is my birthday too! Spring babies are the best!
Happy Birthday to your little one!!!

Heather said...

happy birthday CEK!
what a beautiful little person!! :)

*i didn't realize i was signed in as Tommy before -- so if you got that message - it was me;)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!! She definitely looks like a girl who knows 10000% that she is much loved.

Happy Birthday to her!! XX

PS I love your photos of her so much, she's beautiful :)

melissa said...

Happy birthday to your precious Caroline!!

Anonymous said...

Sweetest pictures EVER!! :)

just ask beth said...

Happy Birthday Caroline..I swear that child has had beautiful legs from toddlerhood, just look at them in that blue bikini!!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

You have birthday season like I do.... one right after another! JJ turns 11 next week... it FLEW by... of course he's my oldest and I can't believe I have a child that old. Crazy.

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Alecia said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Caroline! What a beautiful post & gorgeous pictures.

Blessings to you & your family!

Heather said...

Happy birthday to your sweet daughter!

Jennifer said...

i'm crying...at work...on my keyboard! those sweet pictures of her and dan...ohmygoodness pure sweetness!
happy birthday caroline!

Yvonne from North Carolina said...

What a sweet birthday post! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Littlebit. My daughter's name is Rachel Elizabeth and we also affectionately called her Littlebit when she was young (that's how she pronounced Elizabeth when she was 2). Loved all of the pics...beautiful inside and out!

3 Peanuts said...

Oh this made me CRY!!! I have a similar routine with Katie Ru!!! We don't turn on the I-pod but I do get into bed and snuggle with her.

I know they need to grow up and I know it is all good but it just makes me sad.

Caroline is so adorable. Happy Birthday to her!!!

Cyn said...

My daughter will be 14 years old this year! I can't believe how fast they grow up. Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl. You have an amazing family. God bless you!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet Caroline. My baby turned 10 last week, it goes TOO fast!
xo~Jill

Renee said...

Beautiful... Happy happy day pretty girl!!!!

Deborah said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet baby of the family, Caroline.

I wanted to thank you and all of the speakers at TPE-II. I made a post about it today but feel my words are inadequate of how blessed I felt.

Can't wait to see what cake Madison makes for Little Bit.

Shannon said...

Happy Birthday "Sweet Caroline"!!!
Hope it's a wonderful Birthday.

Lolo @ The Adventures of Stig and Lolo said...

Such a sweet girl and her mama....LOVE.

Happy Birthday to your lil' Spring bit :)
XOX

slip4 said...

Happy birthday to Caroline. My little girl is 20 and I can't believe it.

Jboo said...

I think her photo must be next to the definition of sweetness in the dictionary! What a special girl! You are really a lucky Mama!!

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Kristin said...

Happy Beautiful Birthday Sweet Caroline. <3

Anonymous said...

You speak my heart dear. The words melt me because I feel the exact same way about my "babies". I love your blog and can feel your sweet spirit each time I read. I've been reading for a while, but just now commenting. Happy Birthday to your beautiful "baby". I hate that I missed you guys for The Pearl Event. A friend of mine attended and was overwhelmed and is still bubbling over. Just a month ago the same TS song pricked my heart and I wrote about it here: http://www.annabledsoe.blogspot.com/2012/02/me-my-gang-music-memories.html
Blessings to you and yours from a loyal reader,
Anna

Sara said...

Happy Birthday to a beautiful young lady . You are a treasure and love your beautiful smile such a ray of sunshine. They grow up so fast each year i'm in denial. Happy birthday sweetie have a great day filled with lots of fun and surprises and blessings that last the whole year through.

Susan R said...

Now you would think that Auntie Susan would know Miss C's birthday by now, but I'm a dope. Be on the lookout for your birthday treat dumpling.
Big hugs and kisses to a very special girl.
Those photos just make my heart happy.

Love Being A Nonny said...

What is it about that last child? They are so GROWN so early on!!! I love your morning ritual with her...she will NEVER forget it! How blessed she is with so may adults in her family to love on her. Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle with that *Lil bit*.....priceless! She is beautiful! P.S. This is how I woke mine: *A birdie with a yellow bill, hopped upon my window sill. Cocked his shining eyes and said, AIN'T You SHAMED You Sleepy Head?!* :)

Tracey said...

Happy Birthday sweet, sweet, Caroline! You are such a beautiful girl! Gorgeous pictures Paige! XO

DeeDee said...

What a beautiful angel you have there!! Happy Birthday, Caroline :)

Tiffany said...

She is so adorable!

I so appreciate how you share your family with us!

Hoping the celebration is full of joy!

xoTiffany

Mary said...

Happy birthday, precious Little Bit!

Jodee said...

What a sweet post! Happy birthday to your baby girl!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your sweet baby girl..

Between You and Me said...

sitting here with eyes all filled with tears...oh, these daddies with their baby girls.

Paige, she is just beautiful. all of your girls are!!!

Happiest Birthday to sweet caroline!

Jodi said...

Happy Birthday, Miss Caroline! I hope that she had a wonderful day today!

It's just amazing how fast our children grow up. I have a picture of Beka in preschool by my bed. That seems like just yesterday but was 10 years ago!

Wendy said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet Caroline!!

Home: Inside and Out said...

So sweet and beautiful. Happy birthday little bit!

Talia said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet baby girl!

Andrea said...

She sure looks like her daddy!!

martha said...

just.melting. This is the deariest post! hope you ahd lots of fun birthdaying it up! Enjoy!
{it' my 1st year empty nest and i so wish i had an 11 yr old around!}

Jill said...

Happy birthday to your sunshiny girl! Hope the year ahead is filled with wonderful things!

Love Being A Nonny said...

Yep, Love sweet tea. Don't watch friends but I HAVE been known to watch the Kardashians a time or too!! HA HA HA !!!!!! :)

Lindsey said...

What sweet words for a precious girl. Love all of the pictures...especially the ones from when she was much younger. Happiest of birthdays, Miss Caroline!!

Anonymous said...

That was beautiful....I have tears! Actual tears! I know how you feel...my tiny baby girl turns 10 in a few months and I just don't know where the time has gone :) Happy birthday to your little girl.
Cas x

Colleen said...

So sweet! She is adorable. My son turned 11 last week. I feel the same way about him. When I pulled him on my lap, his legs and arms dangled. He did give me a quick hug before jumping up. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos of your baby.

julieann said...

Im late in this Happy Birthday Wish. These picture of Caroline are so cute. She is such a cute girls with such a natural beauty. I dont think she can take a bad photo. Not to discredit the photographer...She is almost as cute as my daughter :)
So happy B-day pretty girl...

Tricia said...

Wow mom, what a love filled tribute to your angel. You brought tears to my eyes!! My little one just celebrated #8 this week so we've had lots of celebrating in my house.

A belated happy bday to your precious girl!
xo~
T

Laura H. said...

Paige,

I have to tell you that I love reading your blog. If I'm having a bad day, it really brings up my spirits.

What may surprise you is that I am not very religious. I've tried building a connection with God and am still working on it. Even my mom's experience with cancer last year didn't solidify the connection. But reading your story about Dan and Gregg and you makes me feel as certain as I can possibly be that God is there and he is loving and good and looking out us. The photos of Caroline with Dan completely melt my heart. The love between them is so apparent to me, a complete stranger. It's also so nice to know that there are such good people still in the world, and that they are raising amazing kids. I think your girls will be so much like you and that is a true compliment. Thanks for writing.

Many, many thanks,
Laura