As I near half a year
Of raising my baby girl
My heart is tearing at the seams
So full of love
That has been collecting
Since I learned
I was going to be a mother
That grew alongside her in my womb
And only expanded when I met her
It grows everyday still
Through the difficulties we have faced
From hospital stays that we like
A dark cloud over our heads
To the days that feel like
Sunshine and rainbows
Just because I received a bashful smile
Or a contagious laugh
That is worth more than gold
My heart wears the same
Stretch marks that I do
And I would not want to change either
I consider both to be a gift from her
It is proof that I did something incredible
I grew and cared for her
And I brought her into my world
My heart will never feel the same
That it did before it knew her
I would never want it to
I do not know how I lived without
Those blue eyes of hers
Peering into mine
Or that playful, mischievous, bashful look
That two tooth grin
Her dinosaur-esque screeches
Everything about her
Has a special place in my heart
And though she has outgrown
Those newborn noises and facial expressions
Or the first set of clothes I ever put her in
Each day there is something new to love
To replace what has changed
Though I look back in awe
Mostly through the tears in my eyes
I am loving every bit of who she is
In the present moment
But I do not hold on so tight
To this girl that she is now
For I know that she will soon
Be changed again
Into something just as exciting
I have learned in motherhood
In just five months
There is no time to miss
The previous phase of babyhood
For the next one is already here
To take its place
And be celebrated
Just like the last
And just like the next
.t.a.h-b.