I cannot believe that my little Sweet Pea is about to turn four years old. Honestly, it seems like just yesterday, she was fresh from the womb, in my limp noodle arms at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, ceasing to scream just long enough to latch on and empty my milk stores in record time. Then? Back to the crying. I do not miss those early days of mommy-hood. The first time around? Every peep sent me running for the Baby Book Library that was growing at warp speed in our hallway bookcases. You had a question? I had the answer. Attachment parenting? Check. Cry It Out? Check. Love & Logic? Potty training? Laughing with your kids? Check, check and check.

Funny thing is, I don’t have any of those books any more. I kept “What to Expect: The Toddler Years,” and the “Love & Logic” series. The former because I like it, it’s full of good information, non-judgmental and generic information, and the latter because, well, on occasion it works for us with our defiant preschooler.

Minutes after being born. The only time she was silent the entire three days we were in the hospital:

Her first birthday party, in Fort Worth:

Her second birthday party, also in Fort Worth:

Her third birthday party, just after moving to Utah:

Her fourth birthday party is this Saturday. All of the kids from her preschool class will be there, as well as some of her buddies from outside of her class. She’s very excited. We just came back from Target, where we were picking up ’supplies.’ She’s gone birthday dress shopping, found a pair of party shoes, and can’t stop talking about it.

But in the meantime, as we wait for the big day to arrive, I’m looking through photos of her last four years, and ugh. My heartstrings are being tugged. They just grow so stinking fast, you know? From a helpless newborn to a fiercely independent preschooler. And this is not to say that I’m weepy for another baby, those days are long behind me. Especially now, that one girlfriend has a brand-new baby, and another just found out she’s pregnant for the third time. My husband will be relieved to know that I feel no pangs of desire for what they are going through right now, or will be, in the next seven or so months.

But, still. Babies. They’re so awesome. But you know what? So are preschoolers who can tell it like it is.

Happy almost-fourth birthday, little Miss Sweet Pea. I love you…