This one.

I remember the day Jaia got stitches for a nasty gash on her forehead.  The scar has all but faded now but I had taken a really cute photo of her by the pool that afternoon and I kept thinking how that was the last photo before her face was permanently ‘changed’.

I felt the same way years earlier when I took a photo of what ended up being Jaia’s last day with a gummy smile, as her first little tooth poked through the next day.  I still treasure that captured moment.  In fact, it’s in a frame, on my wall, and I have no intentions of changing it out anytime soon.

Look at her now.  Almost seven years old and with two wiggly front teeth.  In a matter of days, weeks, or months, she will change yet again when those teeth finally fall out.  I’m doing my best to soak up every second with this wonderful face before we have to say goodbye and hello to a new, yet equally lovely one.

The days are long but the years are short.  Before I know it she’ll be starting high school or going on a first date.  Since I can’t quite wrap my head around that kind of insanity, I’ll attempt to welcome things like wiggly teeth with happy anticipation instead of sadness about quickly fading little kidhood.  I can’t make any promises though…