Happy Birthday, Heather Grace!  Ten years ago I was blissfully in labor with a wonderfully strong epidural.  At 6:15am on Monday, July 28, 2003 I became a momma to the most beautiful baby I had ever seen.

You slept well, you were happy, you followed all of the Baby Wise instructions.

You were musical before you could talk – whistling before you were one, singing a melody before you could talk, clapping on two and four better than most adults.

And just like that you’re a preteen.  I actually had to google that to verify.  I’ve never been the parent of a preteen before, and I must tell you that I will mess up a lot.  You should have a later bedtime than you do.  Your boundaries should extend farther than Eli’s and Ada’s.  The problem is I don’t know how to parent a preteen.  I’ve only parented babies and toddlers and elementary-age kids.  I’m not good at gradually expanding boundaries and limits and freedoms.

I promise you I will try.  I will talk with you about your expectations and mine.  I will listen and learn.  I will talk to my friends who have older children.  I want to do this well.

I love you, Grace.  And I’m so proud of you.

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