13 Going on 30...

No, not the movie with Jennifer Garner (although it is pretty awesome, and I am totally planning on watching it with Hannah very soon).  This, I believe is a fairly accurate description of my sweet Hannah as she turns 13 years old today.  But perhaps an even more accurate description might be 13 Going on 30, Going on 7.  While she is SO excited about being a teenager and is so eager to grow up and have her independence, she still loves her stuffed animals, has a special place for her baby dolls, and is happy in her innocence.

A recent article (or blog...I'm not sure) that I shared on Facebook wrote about this juxtaposition beautifully.  I'm not going to try to top it, but I encourage you to read it if you haven't already:  http://www.foreverymom.com/a-letter-to-my-12-year-old-daughter-theres-no-time-like-right-now/

My sweet, spit-fire of a girl has made the last 13 years of my life (and the lives of everyone who has had the privilege of knowing her) better, brighter, more joy and laugh-filled, more sigh and eye roll-filled, and more blessed than any of us could ever have imagined.

13 years ago, Kevin had gone to grab some lunch since labor wasn't progressing very quickly.  The doctor assured him he'd have time.  Not 15 minutes later, they told me it was time to push!  I grabbed my phone, called Kevin, and told him it was time.  Luckily he was just around the corner.  He walks in the room, puts his arm around me, and we get the show on the road.  A little while later they said, "It's a girl!", and Kevin and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes (we had chosen not to find out what we were having).  After Kevin cut the cord, they gave her to me, I said "Hi, Hannah" for the very first time, and we were instantly in love.

She has changed and grown so very much since that day, but she is still the best girl we know.  Hannah has gone from a shy withdrawn little girl who would stand back, play with her belly-button, and watch others very cautiously to a feisty, funny, outgoing girl with personality in spades.  She has gone from being the most precious round-faced, arm-roll-having, adorable chubby little girl to being a tall, strong, athletic beautiful young lady.  She has gone from being a big sister who would go back and forth between punching/pushing/pinching and playing/bossing/laughing to being a big sister who goes back and forth between being disgusted/annoyed by his every move/mere existence and playing/bossing/laughing.  Hannah has gone from being a colicky baby who pretty much cried ALL THE TIME unless she was being held to being a strong-willed, independent girl who still likes hugs and the occasional snuggle.

Hannah is an incredibly hard worker and an incredibly loyal friend.  She has a sense of humor and a comedic timing that would make any comic proud.  She has a beautiful singing voice, a beautiful heart, and a beautiful mind.  Hannah is largely responsible for both my scowl lines and my laugh lines.  She is simply amazing.

Happy 13th birthday, sweet Hannah.  We love you SO very much!

Please click on the link for a sweet little trip down memory lane...

https://flipagram.com/f/ouWWjBU4SX