Life Rewinds Now Press Forward: Transitions: No Longer a Tween, but a Teen at 13!!

I can't believe we are finally here. Where did the time go? How are we going to manage this transition?

Life Rewind

The time 2:07 am. Approximately seven hours after the birth of your cousin. I think the two of you had that planned out in the womb! The date February 10, 2003, and it it was the week of the NBA All Star game. You came before the doctor had time to drug me up! I was literally about to get the needle, but you had other plans (natural child birth!)! Beautiful. This is the word I choose to describe you. From the moment you came into my world, we have been on a journey!

You didn't come with any instructions (who does?!!), and my job was to figure it out as a brand new parent. The hardest obstacle was distinguishing your cries (sleepy, hungry, need changing, etc.), and you didn't make it easy (that was your job!). Because you loved to keep us up (more so me!) during the night and day, we hatched out a plan. We would keep you up in the early evening so that you would (and we) sleep through the night. It turns out you just didn't like to go to bed, because you still don't like to go to sleep to this day!!!

I've watched you crawl, pull yourself up in the crib/play yard, take your first steps, and say your first words. I remember at times feeling overwhelmed, because I wasn't sure I was doing the right things by you. I was terrified when I had to go back to work and leave you at daycare for the first time. I was disappointed when I couldn't produce any more milk to breastfeed. Then you were off to pre-kindergarten to start your early education. I can say your education started earlier, because you were in the womb when I was finishing studies for my degree. You even attended a few classes with me as a toddler (and older). I wrote down my feelings in "The Thoughts Corner" of our Francis Family Newsletter about your first day of kindergarten. I was anxious and nervous that September day. I am sure you don't remember, but you might! You used to say you remembered events at five years of age!

I've watched you find your passion for the game of tennis at the tender age of 3 1/2 (can't forget the 1/2). You became a protective big sister at age four. Although baby sister gets on your nerves some times (I can relate to being a big sister-hee! hee!), you love her dearly. My nickname for you is "Ebonista," because of your love of fashion! Your daddy would say you get your style from him. Well......okay we can give him some credit, but you love to design because of me!! You caught the acting bug in the fifth grade after being chosen to play the lead role of Alice (Alice in Wonderland). You have a love for music and dance. You sing and dance every day (at our expense!), and of course I take credit for that! I love your creative side, for you remind me of myself! What am I/we going to do?

Now Press Forward

So you have me feeling some kind of way today. It could be because you requested I bake cupcakes for your classmates (a yearly tradition!) last night! This feeling is different, because now you have transitioned into a young teen. 13 is the number. TEENAGER!! I want to run, but I realize daddy and I won't get far, You and your sister (especially your sister) would find us! So we must face the fact that we are stuck with you and your sister too! It seems like it was just yesterday you were our little tween. Okay it was yesterday! You are now a seventh grader stuck in the middle for the next few months. Come this time next year, we will be finalizing where you will be going to high school in the fall of 2017. My where has the time gone?

I thank God for giving us you my first light. Like I said we are on a journey. A journey that has so far transitioned you from infant to teen. Wow, life has been Amazing thus far! Like I said earlier, you have me feeling some kind of way. I am going to be feeling that some kind away for the next six years of "teendom." No actually I going to be feeling that some kind of way for the rest of my life. Daddy, little sister, and I love you, and we will be here through this transition and beyond. Happy Birthday my "No Longer a Tween, but a Teen at 13!"

Kaisha (Mommy)

Blog post copyright February 11, 2016
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