This Baby

This teeny-tiny 6 pound 6 ounce, dark-haired Baby has turned into

this Baby. This Baby of the big blue eyes. This Baby of the wispy, light hair. This Baby, who just in the past few days has discovered that she can crawl on her hands and knees (although she still prefers her army crawl) and can pull herself to standing. Today this Baby's age is no longer counted in weeks or in months but in years. Today this Baby turned One.

Dear Father Time,

I would be eternally grateful if you would grant but one small request. Just a few more hours in each day. A few more hours to read books. A few more hours to play. A few more hours to marvel at new milestones. A few more hours to watch peacefully slumbering babes. A few more hours to listen to shrieks and giggles. A few more hours for splashing and eating bubbles in the tub. A few more hours to cuddle. A few more hours to kiss deliciously soft cheeks. A few more hours of quiet contentment. This train of my children's childhood is hurtling down the tracks at breakneck speed and while it has been a wonderful ride I wouldn't mind slowing down to stop and enjoy the scenery.