My baby is growing up. The tiny little girl who made me a mother is no longer tiny and it's breaking my heart. Nana stopped by to pick up some shoes on her way to her friend's house. Steven took her shopping last night and she got a new outfit. When she walked up the stairs, I was momentarily stunned. There was nothing obviously grown up about her choice, it was just jeans and a top, but something about the way she was carrying herself shocked me. She just looked so much older all of a sudden. And now I sit here, tears streaming down my face, because I am not ready to lose that little girl. I am not ready for her to grow up and have bigger concerns than barbies and puppies. It's like a clock is loudly ticking in the background of every day, counting down the days of her childhood. It echoes in my ears and I can't do a thing to stop it. She is becoming an amazingly brilliant and beautiful young girl. I am so ridiculously proud to be her mom. I only wish there was a pause button...