Abby's 9!

This little lady turned 9 the other day.  Halloween, actually.  9!!  I can hardly believe it!  It doesn't seem so long ago that she was forced into this world...with a room full of doctor's and specialists.  This little lady is a miracle!  She was only supposed to be 3 lbs. when she was born (according to an ultrasound that was done the week before she was born), but she came out weighing a whopping 4 lbs. 10 oz.  The doctors didn't know if she would be breathing on her own, but she was.  After only a day in the incubator, she was taken out, and after 10 days in the hospital, she came home.  Screaming.  For 4 months.  Every.  Single.  Day.  It was purgatory!  However, after she outgrew that (thank the Lord!!), she has been a joyful, cheerful, sensitive girl.  And oh, how I love her! 

When Hannah turned 9, I cried and cried.  Because I thought, "Her time at home is half over!  In another 9 years, she'll be in university, living her life...."  

When Abby turned 9, I cried and cried. Because I thought, "Her time at home is half over! In another 9 years, she'll be in university, living her life...."

And although it is my job as a mother to prepare these daughters to go and live their life, I must admit, I feel a bit panicked about the whole thing.... Am I doing well by them?  Am I really preparing them to live their lives?  WHAT am I going to do when they are gone?! 

And I find myself panicking.... the time is going by SO quickly.  If I could just make it slow down a little bit.  Does everyone feel this way?  Because I sure don't remember this feeling before I had kids....

Anyhow, enough of this....I'll just go and lay in a fetal position on my bed and cry if I continue down this road any further this morning....

So, here's my birthday girl.  Abigail Grace.  Who is now 9.