MY growing Child!

Last night, Nathan and I had to go back to store where we had gotten some clothes for Natalie for Christmas b/c they were too little.(we exchanged them for bigger sizes.). I got to wrapping some presents for her to put under the tree, and as I was wrapping I was thinking of each item before I wrapped it, and trying to hear in my head what she would say or think of each item. (she's so adorable ...most of the time!). Anyways, I got to two outfits, one a sweater, and one a pair of jeans, long sleeve shirt, and zipper sweater. The sweater alone was too short already, and so were the pants, and the long sleeve shirt, was just way to short on her...it was a 2T bought a month ago!!! If fit her perfectly! :( I told my friend/cousin-n-law/best friend in one, why can't I see her growing, I know she is b/c her clothes aren't fitting her, by the week it seems, it is happening so quickly all of a sudden. I just can't see it. I want her to stay little. But she is growing, very quickly. I looked at her the other day and asked her if she felt okay, b/c I thought her little face, cheeks especially looked a little swollen. She says she was fine. I picked her up, hugged her, and cradled her face for a second or two with my hands, and I realized, she is is growing, getting bigger, and blossoming into a preschooler. She almost isn't a toddler anymore. :( She is all around beginning to loose that "baby" look in her arms, and legs. It is so amazing to watch the cycle of life.
How we grow, literally like sunflowers, from little seeds, quickly sprouting up, and as the years turn into days, we are all grown up, and nearing the last stage, just as quickly as the body can grow, it can shrink as well (if that may be the right analogy...shrink. ). I see it on both extremes. I work in a Retirement Community, which serves the skilled nursings needs as well. The end of life is so much like the beginning, just in reverse! Have you ever thought of it.? If you really do, it is beautiful how God works. It is a cycle we come into not knowing about, and try our darnedest during our human lifetime to be prepared for when leaving. From baby food to pureed food, from formula in bottles to honey thickened liquids in sippy cups, from baby spoons to built up utensils in efforts to keep our old' shriveled hands from contraction even further.
Just goes to show how each person needs to make the best of life, no matter who you are. Each day, each year, and each age is certainly to be appreciated. Once a moment is gone, it won't come back.
10 Things I am Thankful for:
1. My eyesight, being able to see my parents grow and get older each year, and watch my daughter grow as well!!!!!!!!
2. My taste, b/c I can taste Mom's good o'le chocolate cake with caramel, mamaw's pecan pie, and Natalie's "make believe" tea, from her little kitchen.
3. My sense of smell, so that I can smell good things, and bad to know if something is not right and needs to be paid attention to.
4. My hearing, so that I can hear my daughters' voice as she sings Jingle Bells, and Away in A Manger every day, (and the wiggles songs, and Barney etc...too), and my Moms piano playing, and everything else as well.
5. My sense of feel...
6. My sense of imagination, thankgoodness I learned as I was little to have an imagination and know about fairy tales, imaginary friends, The Easter bunny, and Santa, and all the fun events that would need an imagination in life!
7. My sense of humor...what little I have left, so that things can be laughed at when needed.
8. My very own freedom and ability to choose between right and wrong, and do as I please.
9. My family!!!!!!!!! (all of them, all immediate, and extended)
10. Did I say that I can see my daughter every day!?! and My husband every day!!!!