Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sloane, at 7

Tomorrow my little girl turns eight. And while she'll always be my little girl, but she's not so little anymore. She's growing up and it is much, much too fast for this Momma. My heart aches tonight. It's the kind of ache that's accompanied by a lumpy throat and stinging, brimming eyes. How can she be eight? Stop!, my heart cries. Wait. Please, please wait.


I read once that when a child is born, two people are created; a child and a mother. Jeffrey would tell you that the truth is three people are created. My Mom would say five to seven, depending on which people had grandchildren already. No matter the head count, you get the point. And it's true. So true. I became a new Relyn when Sloane was born. A better, more fun, more thoughtful, hopefully wiser version of me. Definitely a safer-driving version.


Sloane and I played around tonight and I took some pictures of my seven year old, just before bed. This is what seven-nearly-eight will always look like to me.


It looks like silliness. And jokes about bums and booties. It looks like sleepy eyes and snuggles. Like giggle-filled whispers and dirty fingernails. It looks like drawings and stories and non-stop chatter. It looks like freckles across a nose and skinny arms cuddling two American Girl dolls.

It looks like love. Just like love.



If you'd like to wish the birthday girl a happy day, please visit her here. She'd really, really love it.

24 comments:

Lubna said...

Happy birthday, Sloane. May you always be cheerful and happy.

Tracy said...

Happy Birthday sweet, Sloane... Happy birthday to you all, Relyn...may this joy you are feeling always be yours. Feeling the love... ((HUGS))

Mrs. E said...

Happy Birthday, Miss Sloane! And Mom--every year is so much fun. You miss the little girl, but you'll love the young woman! Enjoy and celebrate every age, every stage!

Jeanne said...

God bless your special child with an enriched and enchanted life.
Happy 8th Birthday to her........
Love you
Jeanne

Gigi Thibodeau said...

A very happy birthday to Miss Sloane! To this day, turning eight is still my favorite birthday memory. Eight is a magical age, full of discovery and new wisdom, and, yes, even more jokes about bums and booties.

Big hugs,
Gigi

Suz said...

What a beauty she is! Such a happy face.

If only every child had what she has...

Happy Happy birthday blessed child.
Good job mom

Marilyn Miller said...

Have a wonderful time of celebration. It is so worth celebrating each day! Happy Birthday Sloane!

Jessica said...

Sloane- Happiest 8th Birthday! It is a good, fun year. Kiss your Mama and Papa and tell them 'thanks' and keep being the smiley one you are!

d smith kaich jones said...

Happy happy birthday Sloane! You tell your mom it will be okay - she can be eight with you! :)

xoxo
Debi

Connie said...

Happy Birthday to Sloane and to "Mama"! My heart is so filled with gratitude for all of my "blog buddies" who share such delightful parts of life!

Sue said...

It does go so fast. My baby girl is 25 and I don't know how it happened. I still remember 7. One thing I will say, is that we are every bit as close now as we were when she was Sloane's age. It is hard to let them go...but, a joy to watch them blossom.

Sue

PixieDust said...

Happy Birthday to you girl... and you are absolutely correct about the birth of more than a child... I always call my daughter's birth my rebirth... it truly was...

:-)

(((hugs))),
love,
me

Se'lah said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SLOANE!!!

8 is great ;)

TheChicGeek said...

Pure love, Relyn! Sloane is so beautiful and her spirit shines through in her pictures. It is so true that our children make us better people. What a blessing!

Happy Birthday Sloane :) Wishing you the best 8 EVER!!!!!!
HUGS :))))))
Kelly

Dutchbaby said...

Happy happy birthday, Miss Sloane! Enjoy your eighth birthday!

Kirsten Steen said...

So lovely Relyn! And a happy birthday to your girl! You are so very lucky! Enjoy the day!
Kirsten

spudballoo said...

Ah Happy Birthday grown up girl. I'm not really here, I'm on a blog break, but couldn't resist this. The photos are just gorgeous xx

Rita said...

Where did the time go? She was just a baby a few days ago! How I have missed having my birthday with her the last couple of years. Happy Birthday, my baby girl! I love you. Grammy

Dandy said...

She really is beautiful, but you already know that.

Dandy said...

Are you sure she is only 8? What a bright young girl you have, her blog, her profile and the answer to the question on the profile page are so witty and well written. I am really quite impressed!

Jaime said...

I love how you two play together.

Such a perfect picture of 7, almost 8. I think, even when she turns 18, you two will still be making jokes of bums and booties! Hee hee!!!!

Happy Birthday to a sweetie pie.
xo

Gayle said...

I know exactly how you feel, Relyn. I have a 12, 13 and 16 year old and I still feel like they should be my babies! Of course they always will be, just bigger!

Jeanie said...

What a wonderful photo essay and beautiful story of your gorgeous little girl. Happy Birthday (belatedly)Sloane!

Patti said...

Happy Belated Birthday Sloan and Relyn! May 8 be the best year yet! Hope your birthday was extra fun and special!

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