Abby.

This morning while getting ready for the day, Abby asked me to do her hair, "like mine."

Maybe this is commonplace in your homes, but in mine, it most definitely is not.  There are not many things Abby likes to do like anyone (except Maddi). Her sincerity has lingered with me throughout this morning and made me smile.

Abby was born independent.

She refused to sit in a swing, bouncer chair, or any of our laps for a significant amount of time since the day I first saw her blue eyes.  It was as if she was born telling us, "Excuse me. I can handle my own business. Thank you very much."

Abby is driven to excel...at anything.  If she makes a decision to do something, then she rocks the Hell out of it.  Soccer (when she chooses), academics, friendship and of course cheer.  She wants to dabble in many things. Often while driving in the car to her already crazy 6 hours a week of cheer, she'll say,"Hey mom. I'd really like to play the violin."

"Hey mom.  I think I want to try a singing class."

"Hey mom.  I would like to do a little theatre."

"Hey mom. I want to start a special needs cheerleading team at Cheerz."

That's just how her brain works.

Abby has had consistent life goals since she could talk: have a baby girl and become a NICU doctor (Yes, she knows the term, NICU).  In fact, she drew a picture of a "baby doctor" (what she called it at age 4) in her preschool memory book as a description of what she wanted to be when she grew up. 

Even though being sick with the flu is terrible, I have to admit, I've loved being given the chance to baby my baby girl for a day.  I relish in it, because rare a time does it come.  Earlier this week when I was down with the flu myself, Abby got herself out of bed (set her alarm), got dressed, did her own hair, fed herself breakfast and made herself a lunch. I came upstairs, and she was done. 

The girl can take care of her own business, but sometimes I just want to take care of it for her.

I don't know why, maybe because it's Mother's Day soon, maybe it's the fact that a large portion of my free time has been tied into organizing Deak's Run for Hope. Whatever the reason, I am feeling sentimental about my sweet girl, and I wanted to document how full of love my heart is for her, especially today.

I am just so proud to be her mom.

*Age 7*