Don't Turn Around

We went for a walk this evening with some friends, after it stopped raining pigs and chickens, and it hit me: Kyra is definitely not a baby anymore! Except for a short time where she was carried because of the narrow, busy street, she walked the whole way--a little over a mile! And that made me think of one of my favorite songs, called "Turn Around".

Written and sung by Harry Belafonte and the Kingston Trio in the early 60s, it's also one my mom used to sing to me when I was small.

I can't think of another song that says it any better when it comes to the fleeting moments in your child's life. That's not to say that the first couple months before she was sleeping through the night, that I didn't think, "Wow! Are we ever going to get past this phase? It's lasting forever!"

And now as I look at Kyra, who is growing and changing so much every day, I also can't help but think about a quote I read recently that sums it up pretty well:

"Time is a mother's (parent's) enemy."

They are only small for such a short time, and then, not too long, and it's, "Mom, don't walk near me, and don't you dare hug me or grab my hand in public! MOMM, you're embarrassing me!", with the famous pre-teen and/or teenager eye-roll.

So for now, I'm going to treasure every single time she reaches up to hold my hand, or asks to be picked up, or hugs & kisses me--this is her new thing, by the way, when she's been naughty. When I tell her, "No," she'll immediately pucker up to deliver an "I'm sorry" kiss, and then throw her little arms around my neck and pat my back. I know they have to grow up someday, but dang it, not today!

I've included the lyrics to "Turn around" below, and I challenge you to read through them without misting up--I know I can't, and I've read and sung them a thousand times. I've also included some "look how I've grown" pictures to show how fast a year and half can go.

Turn Around

Where are you going my little one, little one
Where are you going my baby my own
Turn around and you’re two,
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of the door

Turn around (turn around)
Turn around (turn around)
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of the door

Where are you going my little one, little one
*Dirndls* and petticoats, where have you gone
Turn around and you’re tiny,
Turn around and you’re grown
Turn around and you’re a young wife
With babes of your own

Turn around, Turn around,
Turn around and you’re a young wife
With babes of your own

Where are you going my little one, little one
Where are you going my baby my own
Turn around and you’re two,
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of my door

Only 5 days old
First trip to the beach at 4 weeks old
Sunset Pres Baby Shower--almost 3 months old
With Mommy's Raggedy Annie--5 months old
"Swimming" in the backyard--9 months old
Christmas Eve--almost a year old!
What a doll! 14 months old
So serious! On the Beach in Hawaii--15 months old
First Haircut--16 months old
Enjoying the Children's Museum--16 months old
Sprinkler time--17 months old
Boating on the Snake River--18 months old

Blessings friends, K~