Wednesday, August 13, 2008

. . . And Motherhood Marches On

Grace 14 years agoFourteen and a half years ago my baby looked like this. This week she registered for high school.

I drove her to the building and it was like traveling through a twenty-year time warp as we walked up the front walkway where students had set up boom boxes, playing in the sun while tossing footballs and barbecuing hot dogs.

We walked inside through the registration stations so she could get her student I.D., class schedule and locker assignment but when we passed the table where you could sign up for the swim team this handsome tall, senior swimmer with wavy blond hair and a perfect smile called out to her: "Hey! Do you want to join the swim team?"

She did this shy little "Who me?" move then when she realized this manly Olympian was talking to her her cheeks flushed, she stammered a bit and began to think that maybe swimming was the sport for her. She probably would have signed on the dotted line if it hadn't meant hanging out in a bathing suit, swim cap and goggles under the scrutiny of the fluorescent lights (I may not remember much but I do recall that 14 is a self-conscious age).

But I can't blame her for her sudden interest, if I had an invitation like that even I would be tempted to brush off my doggie paddle and join up. I can't believe my baby is in high school. I'm not ready for the next four years--I'm sure they'll go faster than they should.

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43 comments:

Beth Cotell said...

What a sweet post! (And what an adorable picture!)

My baby starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks and I am already getting weepy. My latest post is a testament to that...

The Source said...

Just buckle your seat belt, Mom, and hang on. We shopped for back-to-school items yesterday. While checking out of one store the Sales Boy (of maybe 17 or 18?) turned to my daughter...and stood their with his jaw hanging open. I quickly looked to see if she had something hanging from her nose or what?? Nope, just looking beautiful. He stammered a bit, turned red, apologized, and then finished ringing us up. He was CHECKING MY BABY OUT!! Ugh.

I miss my tiny little girl, but am so enjoying these years, too! Grace is going to love high school.

Kacie said...

Aww! Happy high school days to your daughter. It does go quickly (not fast enough, for the student in some cases!).

Best wishes for a great year!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh I can't imagine what that will be like!! She is a doll...

Steph

Anonymous said...

Oh well, I still have that to look forward to (I think it is look forward!)

Mandy said...

Time always goes by so fast for us mom's!

Chrisbookarama said...

So glad it's years away yet for me! Good luck.

Think handsome swimmer was chosen especially to entice new swimmers? Like the girls in short-shorts at the carwash?

reprehriestless warillever said...

Is it always like this? My oldest starts first grade next week.

His four-year old sister is already wailing about missing him.

Michelle Alley said...

I have a couple more years to go before this date, but it must have been a weird feeling to be back in the walls of high school and to be their for your daughter!

April said...

What a sweet little baby! I can't believe she's starting HIGH SCHOOL! Where does the time go???

Unknown said...

Ah, my son starts high school next year! Time goes way way too fast!!! i wish I could still wrap him in a blankie and shield him from the awfuls of the world...but they gotta grow up I guess !!

Janet said...

Oh my. I could have sent the Queen to preschool, but I'M NOT READY!
I hope she has a great year. 14 really is a tough age.

I spent about an hour on your site last night looking through all the crafts, so if your site meter went screwy that was me.

Anonymous said...

I get my chance to do that next week, and it is a little nerve wracking isn't it, as well as a reality that we're old enough for kids doing that.

Blessed said...

Oh No... in 13 years that will be me...

Sherri said...

"sigh" I'm afraid I am getting too close to relating to that post myself. My oldest is 12 1/2!!

Daisy said...

Ah, those babies, they do grow up! I just took my junior to registration on Monday. His ID photo actually looks good!

SarahHub said...

Aww! I can't imagine this phase yet!

Unknown said...

Tell me about it! My oldest is a high school sophomore now. This time next year he'll be DRIVING! Say it ain't so, somebody :-)

SabineM said...

I am right there with you! start date August 27th! Yikes.. were has the last 14 years gone?!?!

Montserrat said...

The whole growing up thing scares me too. One because it means I'm getting older and two they'll be leaving the house before I know it! Will I be ready? Will they be ready?

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, how exciting for her! Is she excited?

I think I would start to stammer if a cute guy asked me to join the swim team and I'm 32.

Heather said...

What a doll!!! It goes way too fast!

CountessLaurie said...

OH MY HECK! That picture sooo makes me want another one!!
Great post, thanks for sharing!

Heather said...

I love that photo. So cute.

Wow, high school. You must have had her when you were 10 huh?

Anonymous said...

That day will come, sooner than I expect, I'm sure. A starts 2nd grade on Monday. I still can't believe that!

Anonymous said...

laughing about the Poseidon-like swimmer guy...

Lord help me when my kids get to high school.

LibraryGirl62 said...

My oldest is drivinf this year and my youngest starts high school in a week. Funny, I could have sworn I just changed their diapers yesterday. I was so glad they were 15 months apart when they were younger, but I already get weepy about being "childless" in just 4 years-yea, I know they never really leave, but it is so hard to think about life without them! Boys checking our your daughter is just plain scary~just ask their brothers.

Channah said...

Aww. My baby is still, well, a baby. But it's amazing how quickly 6 months has gone by. I guess I'll still be amazed at how fast he's grown, once he's 14.

Damselfly said...

What a sweet baby! And a sweet high schooler, too, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

awwww High school! WOW!

Pat said...

You'll love the high school years! My youngest starts her senior year next Thursday - it's almost over!

Abby said...

I so remember this time as it was only two years ago ;). My son will be a junior this year. Where or where does the time go? I remember as we were walking in to register him the football team in their pads and all came running out a side door and I thought OH MY they are so big! I wanted to protect my little guy but now he himself is on the football team!

PJ said...

They grow up waaay too fast! High School is a big deal. They're off to college before you know it.

The Culinary Chase said...

They do grow up all too quickly! Now I know what my mother was talking about! Cheers!

Melissa-Mc said...

And in 4 years she will be having a blast in the dorms...it's all too much :)

Kelli said...

I know what you mean. I was just about to post the pic of my oldest with her learner's permit that she got today! We had our first driving lesson in the church parking lot this evening...I'm not ready for this!

Kelly @ Love Well said...

That picture made me swoon.

And then I turned and looked at Teyla (7 months now) sleeping in her crib, and my heart broke a little.

Antoinette said...

What an adorable picture! Reading your post made my heart melt. I have a 9 month old and 2 1/2 year old so, I can't imagine what the next 14 years will bring. It's amazing how each stage is so exciting!

Anonymous said...

It will go by so fast! My son will be a senior this year and I can't believe it. As much as I have tried to prepare him for his future, I don't know if I have succeeded. Raising my daughter has been easier so far. You will do fine.

Anonymous said...

Oh wow!! Highschool. I'm having a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that Hannah only has two more years of elementary school. LOL!

Unknown said...

Oh, they grow so fast..you are breaking my heart and making me laugh at the same time...i don't know why I have a sudden urge to take back up swimming again???

And, I am a little confused at your daughter going to public school...did I miss a post...i think it is really great....how could you ever experience a thing like this while being homeschooled???

Thanks for a walk down memory lane and a look towards the future...maybe you will have a good story for your own topic of first kiss sooner than you think...tell your daughter to stay away from those swimmers...they are all the rage nowadays.

Sonja said...

This post is appropriately named. I can feel the relentless march of time whenever my kids reach a new milestone. Best wishes!

Nicole said...

Awe. That is so cute!! High School wow!