Rayven-my bayyybbbyyy- was the last of the Mohicans. I don't quite know how to feel about this. What do we do now? I've been raising kids for as long as I can remember. My bambinos, range in age, from 29 to....now...*drumroll please*....EIGHTEEN! What happens now? Tell me, fellow moms, of now "legally adult" babies, what am I supposed to do? Well, I think, I may smell, some semblance of mommy-freedom, on the horizon. People have been telling me, that when she leaves for college in the fall, I will, almost certainly, experience empty nest syndrome? Maybe. But, I seriously, doubt it. I mean... never say never, right? But, I wouldn't bank on it. However, I do believe, her Dad certainly will. She is a daddy's girl for sure. I think, for me, as her new chapter in life begins, mine will, as well. So anywhooooo-back to her turning 18... Normally, birthdays are not a big deal at our house. It's not because of religious beliefs, or anything of the sort. It's just kind of the way it was. I never really placed a lot of emphasis on my own birthday, (for a few different reasons) so it kind of carried over to my kid's birthdays, as well. They always got gifts and we always sang "Happy Birthday", but there were only a couple of parties, total, between all 4 of my kids. Honestly, I don't believe Rayven ever had a birthday party. None of them ever really cared, though. It just wasn't "a thing." You can't miss what you've never had-I guess. But of course, she wanted her 18th birthday to be special. She requested a 90s skate party! So, we rented out the local roller rink and had one! Of course, with Covid, being a thing, we had to limit the number of guests. But, we still had a blast! It was complete with 90s playlist and a wonderful custom made cake, that is synonymous with her business brand, Rayven Cne' Beauty. Did I mention my baby started her own business last year? Why, yes. Yes, she did. I am so proud of her. She is determined to to be a beauty mogul and I certainly believe she will. She is driven, determined, and fiercely independent. She's been that way she was a baby. Literally. When she was a toddler, she was so cute and chubby. Our family always wanted to hold her and cuddle her. She would always say "noooo I don't want anybody to hold me...I don't need anybody to hold me...I'm big." And she would wiggle and writhe out of our arms, back onto the floor or couch, and look at us, with a very annoyed and exasperated expression. I tell you this because, something odd, happened over the years. Around age 13, she began setting her alarm clock for the time her dad leaves for work, which is early in the wee hours of the morning. When he would leave she would come and get in the bed with me, and say "Mom, can you hold me, please?" Ohhh how the turn-tables..!" as Michael Scott from The Office would say. I would then say (which is now a running joke in our house) "Awww... you're just a baby... awww. Do you want a bottle? Do you want me to change your diaper? Where did you put your pacifier?" With her reply being, "Moooom STOOOOPPP! I'm not a baby! I just want you to hold me." I did it for a few years. I held her. Every night from 2:30am to 5:30am until it was time for her to wake up and get ready for school. And for what seems like an eternity on Saturday mornings. From 13-18 years old. (Because, believe it or not, it's still going on). I know...It's hard for you to believe, ain't it?! Sis, I wouldn't tell you no lies. :) But, lately, I've been saying "Noooo, Rayven, I don't want anybody to hold me. I don't need anybody to hold me. Because, I'm big. And then wiggling and writhing away from her clutch around my waist. She hates it! I tell her your an adult now (so the state says-but you know-whatever) so that means I wanted my freedom too. Where is my Emancipation Proclamation? Can I live? Let me live! Why am I still rocking babies (read: Grown People) to sleep?" BWAHAHAHA! Riddle me that. QTNA. But I do it. I let her hold me. Because, the truth is, no matter how old she gets-my greatest joy in this world- has been being her mom. Her dad and I, are so proud of the young lady she has become. Her most admirable qualities are how kind, caring and thoughtful of other people, she is. She is beautiful inside, as well as out. We are so excited to see where her journey in life and business takes us. My girl is really growing up, but "she's still just a baby. Awwww!"
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AuthorHi! Meryl, here. Glad you stopped by. I'm just living my little-lah-ti-dah-life,here in the great state of Texas. I'm a mom of 5. Archives
January 2021
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