I need to take a few moments to appreciate all of the baby steps and milestones that brought me to my 14th “mommyversary.” My little girl is officially a teen, and I’m gearing up for more milestones snd memorable moments.
Motherhood is not always easy, but I always try my best to be physically, emotionally and mentally present for Quinn. I’m blessed to be a mother to her and to have my mother there to offer advice.
I’m grateful for motherhood and all that it has taught me about life.
Alas! Another major milestone has occurred. Born in 2013, by “baby girl” is officially 13: a teenager. While I’m grateful for every moment from Quinn being placed in my arms minutes after her birth to taking her first steps and saying her first words, I need time to slow down a little because this mommy still feels like she’s taking baby steps.
Though every year is special, similar to when she became a toddler, these years tend to have so many changes in development and at such a rapid pace, and I’m just hoping that I can keep up with her needs and be who and what she needs me to be when she needs me to be it.
Some family and friends have asked what it feels like to now have a teenager, and if I could only use one word it would be “overwhelming,” not because of my daughter but because I know that she’s now closer to adulthood than childhood, or at least that is how she will be recognized by society in just short five years. But even still, she will always be my sweet girl who deserves the world and for all of her birthday wishes to come true.
Yesterday was my twelve year old’s winter orchestra concert, and though it’s been less than a year since her spring concert in sixth grade, the improvement of the entire orchestra was noticeable. Not just the way they sounded, but their posture and overall performance demonstrated how much they all have matured.
I don’t know if it’s because many of them are or will soon be teens, but witnessing this makes me want to “queue” the violins as I reminisce about when Quinn first began playing the violin nearly four years ago.
It was a lovely concert, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do in the spring.
One of the reasons I post about my fitness journey is to hopefully inspire others, but today, it was my mini me who left me feeling inspired. Quinn, a 12 year old, boldly ran in the Rocky Run 5K a race with over 30,000 people, predominantly adults 😅. Think I might’ve felt a bit intimidated at her age, but she smiled, was in the zone and had a great time the entire way.
Not only was she determined to cross the finish line, but she maintained the pace she set for herself and demonstrated what hard work, commitment and dedication is all about!
This is not the first time that Quinn has left me in awe and certainly will not be the last, but today she was definitely my inspiration! She went the distance!
How is it that my daughter is starting a new school and seventh grade when I vividly remember her starting kindergarten as though it was moments ago? 😅
I asked my twelve year old how she was feeling this morning, and she said a combination of excited and nervous, but more excited about the school year. I too am excited for her as this is her last stop before she enters high school! 😳 Wow! High school!
But before she gets there, I’m grateful that she is entering middle school with the opportunity to continue her educational journey by not only continuing with the core disciplines like math and English but learning a foreign language, financial literacy, cooking skills along with countless extracurricular activities to further establish what she’s good at, enjoys and may even want to pursue when it’s time for high school.
Here’s to a wonderful semester for my tween who continues to make me proud to be her mom.
I remember being nervous about my daughter leaving her elementary school and starting her new school as a fifth grader. Now, we are somewhat back where we first started, but this time she’s closing her sixth grade chapter and will be officially transitioning to middle school.
Though it was only two years, I know they made an impact on her as she met new friends, teachers and experienced a little of what’s to come as a seventh grader.
I’m so proud of the progress she’s made and look forward to having a wonderful summer with Quinn as we count down til the first day of middle school.
While in the first row and first chair, my daughter was focused and played intently, This will be the last time she performs with the school orchestra as a sixth grader.
I’m so proud of her. In knowing that she has decided to continue playing violin at her next school for seventh and eighth grade, I hope she continues to thrive and has a wonderful experience ahead of her.
As I celebrate my thirteenth “mommyversary,” I’m feeling luckier than ever to have a daughter like Quinn. While I will miss her as my little girl, I welcome her last year as a tween and how much of a positive influence she’s had on my life even as a child.
I’ve become more assertive as I advocate not just on her behalf but my own. I’ve become even more conscientious about my health to lead by example and to be around and active with Quinn.
Somehow, holding her in my arms as a baby simultaneously seems like it was yesterday and light years away, but the feeling of being a mother and loving my daughter unconditionally continues to grow and evolve into something beyond measure.
Though most consider becoming a teenager a milestone, I think turning twelve is just as significant. It’s the last year of being a tween and many changes are coming or already happening.
I’m so happy to celebrate my daughter’s 12th birthday as she continues to grow into a lovely young lady. She truly deserves a dozen roses for being such a great kid and person.
Here’s to many more birthdays to come because each one is special.
Yesterday, my daughter was overjoyed as we entered the dental office because she was getting something she’s wanted for the past two years: braces! For the most part, her teeth are straight with a minor cross bite and under bite on one side, but it was enough to warrant braces. I still recall when I got braces at 13, which was two years older than Quinn.
My teeth were in dire need of braces, but I was still a bit resistant to wearing them because of the taunting and name calling I endured from my sister and a few classmates 😩. Quinn, on the other hand, welcomed getting braces and had a big smile before and after. She spent the last week leading up to getting braces doing thorough research regarding what she’s permitted to eat and how to take care of them, which definitely impressed her orthodontist and me.
I have a feeling that braces will do more than just straighten Quinn’s teeth, but they will give her an opportunity to exercise self-control and discipline as she must resist food and treats she enjoys and responsibility when it comes to maintaining and brushing her teeth.
Here’s to a new milestone as I keep taking baby steps into motherhood.
Mommy's Baby Steps 