I know EVERYONE tells you that kids grow up way too fast, but I don't think you can ever really understand what they mean until you have your own. I find myself amazed over the "simplest" things - my baby girl can wipe her own hands and face now? When did that happen? While I am thrilled that Avie enjoys playing on her own now, I still love it when she comes to me with arms held up and that sweet, "Mommy, hold you?"

As she informed me last night, however, she is "All done Mommy!" Mommy is no longer in charge of rocking chair duty (I can't say that I'm too sad)! I have almost always been the one to put Avie to bed, but lately, she is very much a Daddy's girl. As soon as she's done nursing, she looks up and asks for Daddy. And if he doesn't come immediately (as was the case last night), she becomes a little frantic, "Daddy? Daddy?" Daddy was on the phone last night, so I tried to offer my services. "Do you want Mommy to rock you?" "No! All done Mommy!"

And then there was the scene at Grandma's house this morning. She used to cry when I left her ANYWHERE, but thankfully she's improving (slowly, but surely). I wasn't planning on leaving her at Grandma's this morning, but she certainly wasn't ready to go to the store with me! When Grandma asked her if she wanted to stay, she nodded. Just to make sure, Grandma told her to tell Mommy bye. She kissed, waved, hugged, and said "bye bye!" with not a hint of a tear.

It is impossible to describe the feeling of being so excited at your daughter's newfound independence, but so sad that her "baby" days are almost over. I can only imagine that there are many more exciting (yet sad) chapters to come in this journey through motherhood!