I have a teenage daugther, how did that happen?

My chubby, 8  pound, red-head baby girl turned 13 this summer. She's a teenager. Not a pre-teen, or a tween, but an actual teenager.

How did this happen.

But more importantly...how do I make it stop?

When you have a baby, everyone...and I do mean everyone, tells you to cherish this time. That they grow up way too fast. But when you have a 5 month old baby who's teething, won't sleep and cries when you even hint at the possibility of putting her down...its hard to cherish it.

But its true. They do grow up fast. Too fast, I'm afraid.

I tried to cherish it all. The newborn days, the toddler years, the pre-school times. I was lucky enough to be home with my kids for most of their youngest years. I miss those days, and sometimes just look at my kids and think...you used to need me for everything, and look at you now. So grown up, so independent. So much their own person.

Then came the school years. At first I cried when school started, now its possible that I count down the days until school starts. But every year, we make it through. There have been struggles, sure, but we get past them. And we cherish these years as well. We've made it through first crushes, fights with best friends, training bras and the ever fun first period. Good times.

Now, my baby is about to leave me for 3 days. She's flying to DC for a class trip, without me. Yeah, I could have went along, but I chose not too. I'm letting her have this time to grow, and be more independent....as if she wasn't independent enough, right?

So I have to let her fly and hope she's been cherished enough. This is the hard part. The teething and sleepless nights...seem so far away now. All I remember is the good stuff.

Now, just let us make it through these teenage years. I know someday I'll look back and be glad I cherished these years as well.