12 years & 364 days

• My little Bean, you will be 13 tomorrow.  A teenager.  I can't believe it.  I feel like crying every time I really stop to think about it.  You were gracious enough tonight to get dressed up and go out with me to take photos.  Your last day of being a kid.  Although, I have to say you don't exactly look like a kid.  You're a beautiful girl Katie Bean.  I sure didn't look like that when I was 13.  Maybe I should post a side by side photo for comparison.  
• I love doing your hair and makeup.  Your hair is so perfectly straight, it amazes me.  
• You didn't want to go anywhere for photos, so we just went up to Mariner and used the tall grass around the city works lot, then the parking lot at Save-On.  I was pleasantly surprised we were able to get so many locations in such a small area and so close to home.
• Katie, I fell in love with you the moment I knew I was pregnant.  We started calling you Bean when you were the size of a bean.  I felt really good when I was pregnant with you.  I gained very little weight and my body felt strong and healthy.  I craved Raisin Bran.  I ate boxes and boxes of Raisin Bran, and it had to be the President's Choice brand from Superstore.
• I love your birth story Katie.   I know I tell it to you all the time, but my birth stories are my favorite to tell.  Yours is the silliest one.  And coincidentally, you are my silliest kid.  Detours, birthing balls and a bossy nurse...and a lot of gas (dad, not me).  My labour was about four hours, free of complications and pretty decent, as far as births go.  Daddy and I couldn't believe how beautiful you were.  You were born at 5am and daddy stayed for a couple hours, then went home to sleep for a bit and bring Jane to meet you.  You were the perfect addition to our little family.  Jane was so serious, and you were so silly and filled with smiles and giggles.  You brought a lot of joy into our home.
• Katie, I hope your 13th year is wonderful.  Happy (almost) birthday kid!