Growing Up

Julia has a loose tooth.

This is really bothering me. Really. Really? A loose tooth? Bothering me??

I always joke that I'm counting down the days until the girls turn 18 and move out. While I'm mostly joking, the sentiment has a certain truth to it - I am determined to raise these girls to become independant, highly functioning, successful members of society. So, instead of freaking out and getting bummed about each and every milestone that they reach, I tend to rejoice and congratulate them on getting that much bigger.

I did not get sad when Julia grew out of her crib.

I did not tear up when Rebecca started walking.

It did not bother me too much when Julia went off to preschool (except that I miss spending each and every day with her - but thats different than being sad about how 'grown up' she is).

I can't wait for Rebecca to lose the diapers (for more reasons that just the ickyness and the cost.. I'm really ready for her to reach this milestone! I'm proud of her for growing up and gettin big!).

But, a loose tooth? This is completely bugging me.

In fact, I admit that my throat may have swelled and my eyes might have watered a bit when she wiggled it for me. To verify that it is, indeed, loose.

Why does this bother me so much?

I think it's because I have so much experience with young children growing up, that I was not expecting my PRESCHOOLER to lose a tooth yet! I forget that she could be in kindergarten right now if her birthday was just 7 days earlier (though, I'm very thankful she's not). But yes, all the kiddos I've ever known that have lost a tooth were kindergartners and above.

I will try not to get sad and whimper that she's growing up TOO FAST. But... dang, Seriously? she's going to be five in just two weeks. When, where, how and why does this have to happen so fast?!?

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On the other hand, elementary school could go by even faster, and then we're that much closer to being empty nest'ers ;) Now, that's something to cry about (How Exciting!)