Faithfully Fit: ...snip, snip.....sniff, sniff....

......there are times that occur when I open my eyes just a bit wider to get a closer look at the people in my life....because the repetition of seeing each other day in and day out can cause us to miss some small and subtle changes.....

......and on the day that Elsie and I had planned our day date, just she and I....it was one of those days I had to set the camera down to take it in and inhale the moment of watching my little girl.....not through the lens, but through the sheer excitement and anticipation of my oldest being pampered for the first time.....she was so thrilled to prop herself up on the carousel of her choice....this day she happened to be in the mood for some bunny love.....and she was ready.....no fear, no angst, no worry.....she gave Korey, her stylist, a polite hello there.....and she was ready to indulge in an event that she will certainly look forward to most of her adult life.....it was time to get her hair cut and blow dried....

.....and as I had emphatically suggested no bangs at the beginning of this first experience for both of us, Korey was snipping away 10 minutes into the hair cut.....

.....and the reason I had emphatically suggested no bangs initially, is because I knew what the look would do.....selfishly I wasn't ready for her to lose the toddler look....and Korey, ever so nicely and convincingly, simply explained that her hair would still constantly be in her eyes unless we made the change.....

.....so I mostly watched.....and snapped a few shots here and there, while my little enjoyed the relaxation of a warm blow dryer.....

.....until we had a final style that greatly pleased her.....

.....and I was happy she was so happy....

.....and as we sauntered out of there.....me trying to adjust to this big girl, with bangs; and she, thrilled to be heading towards the ice cream shop.....it was a moment that I watched her and had to let go just a bit.....she independently walked down the upper eastside sidewalk.....me hearing an exscoose me every so often as she weaved herself around oncoming pedestrians.....and a c'mon Mahee over her shoulder, every few seconds, as if she worried I wasn't coming along too.....and she reminded me in that moment that she is changing.....she is growing out of toddlerhood, weeks away from starting nursery school three half days per week and thrilled about the idea of school alllllll by myself.....and my little is ready to soar......in some ways with me, in other ways without me....and the ying and yang of it all is so bittersweet....

.....but no matter what phase we enter or how many changes we encounter in the years to come....it will always be bittersweet....because just like anything in life, when one door closes- it's sad, it's complete.....but another door opens that is filled with newness, anticipation, and excitement.....and I like the things that have been behind the new doors of my life.....

.....and I have also been liking the love of sisterhood this week.....despite four protruding teeth in Callie's swollen mouth, she too has had some giggles in lieu of the pain, from the joy of having her sister by her side.....

.....whether they are getting snuggly for some story time.....