Too Big

Tomorrow Hadley starts her first day of dance class. I am both extremely excited and a little sad. In my mind, I envision her going in with her little leotard, tights and slippers and dancing up a storm, tumbling and tapping her way through this year of dance. In reality, I assume she will cling to my legs until February and even then she'll be reluctant to join in. I am putting some faith in the instructors that they can break her shy little shell and get her moving and participating with the rest of the group. The part that makes me sad is how fast she has grown into this little person. I tell her all the time that she is getting "too big" and to slow down. Be little as long as you can. She doesnt listen to me. She is off learning the next big thing in her little life. I remember when I found out I was pregnant with her. I proudly showed the stick I had just peed on proclaming "Pregnant"! (which in hind sight is kinda gross...sorry about that to my workmates) But I was so excited. I used to rock in her Wizard of Oz themed room singing Beatles songs to her when she was in my belly. I remember the moment she was born like it happened 5 minutes ago. I also vividly remember the sleepless nights of colic, all of the tears that have come with teething, her first skinned knee and the frustrations of being a toddler. Then, she learned to crawl, said "mama", took her first step, learned to run, and turned one. Becoming a big sister has been my favorite thing to watch. She loves that little boy so much! Now she is learning to count and the letters of the alphabet. She is quite the artist, lover of animals and the biggest Elmo fan you'll find...and tomorrow, she'll learn to dance. Dance your heart out little girl! Mama and Daddy are watching every step of the way.