I look back at pictures of how she grew. She has always been fiercely independent! She learned to crawl at 8.3 weeks then stood up and walked a week later. There was something very odd (and quite frankly - freakish- kids aren't SUPPOSED to walk that early) seeing a 9 month old kid walking around the house. She's always been funny and loves to make people laugh. She has her own idea of what is cool. She has always pulled off "a look" - something I never had the guts to do.
She has known her own mind from the beginning - I nursed her for 9 months and she decided one day - that was IT! I want that stuff you eat at the table lady... no more milk from you. I secretly think it bothered her to have to lay down to eat? She has never been a big snuggler, which as a mom is hard, I always wanted to hold her while she slept. She wanted to stretch out in her crib. At least until she was 13 months old and started jumping ship. I'd find her in the guest bed (in her room) sound asleep most mornings. Alas, she got her own bed at that point.
Her first day of Kindergarten she desperately wanted to ride the bus. I was like NO WAY! I'll take you to school honey, you don't have to ride that awful bus. So, I let her ride the bus. I also followed the bus every day for a week the 2 miles it went to drop her off. I took pictures the first day of her getting off the bus at school and she screamed "MAMA what are you DOING here"!!! Like I was a stalker or something. She would be so tired after school (full day Kindergarten) that most days the driver woke her up to get off at our stop.
My girl has always had plenty of friends. Never lacking in social obligations. She has also tried EVERY sport known to man. Even though she really isn't that competitive - she just liked the outfits and uniforms we found out thousands of dollars later. She is a great swimmer but you really need to be concerned about that other people racing against you - she wasn't. We called her the Barbie swimmer. Beautiful to watch but no drive to be first. And she had years to perfect the Barbie freestyle....
5 yrs old to 11 yrs old
We have now come to a sport she picked grudgingly. Golf. Amazing that this child has such a natural ability for it. We would never have guessed. Riley was the first to take up golf and we kinda made Denton do it, too - easier to drive 2 people to one place - right! Now, I catch her watching golf on TV lately. A joy that I'm sure equals paint drying to most. I drop her off at the golf course to practice, drive her to lessons, she participates in 1st Tee and hopes to be a coach at some point. She also longs to be on the high school team. Either this year(if she makes it or next) she has set long term goals with her new love - golf.
In ninth grade all I could think about was not tripping over the curb at school or not making a fool of myself too often. I had no self confidence like my girl does. I also wasn't 5"10', blond, and thin. Maybe that would have helped? Who knows. I'm just so thankful and feel so blessed to have this child that even when she screws up - she's learned to own it. She's not perfect, never will be, but has learned to admit she is wrong and move on. Try not to do a repeat.
When I say she's gracious and has good manners I mean it but she can also be a stubborn, irritating teenager. Stomping around the house, saying nasty things under her breath, slamming doors, torturing her younger sister and the most useful tool she learned from her mother - the eyeball roll. She must have paid close attention to that lesson from mommy :-) OK I should not be proud of that but, it is an art you know.
So, for my beautiful, sweet, pushy daughter - I love you. I feel so close to you. I love when you talk to me about problems and joys. I love that you WANT to talk to me period :-) I love that you grumble in the mornings when I wake you up to run with me. I love that you still want to sit on my lap, watch TV, ride to the grocery store, talk privately when I kiss you good night. I love that you listen when I tell you WHY I wouldn't advise you to do something because I've been there - done it- and it didn't turn out well. I know you'll make mistakes, even the ones I've warned you about but I think you have plenty of sense and you've paid attention over the years.
You make good grades, you are very self reliant, independent, you can cook really well, clean, do laundry, mow grass, clean the yard, use a leaf blower, dig a hole, water a garden, set up a tent, fish, drive a truck, drive a boat, swing the heck out of a golf club and even though it isn't your favorite thing you'll horseback ride with me. It doesn't hurt that your the cutest thing ever!
I love you so much. And even though I yearn for your baby, toddler and little girl years (actually it makes me ache inside to the point of pain)- I am excited watching the person you are becoming. The young woman I see has a bright future. Nothing Ho-Hum for you ...but a life that is full of surprises, full of love, blessings and rewards for hard work.
Happy Birthday - Peapie
love, love, love - Mommy
Very well written, couldn't have said it better! We love you Denton! Dad
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