We blinked.

We blinked and you’re 3,
you’re not my baby anymore.
Neither of us were ready
we still aren’t.
Holding each other tighter these days,
rocking more, cuddling more.

We blinked 
and you’re too tall for your leggings,
arms peaking out of sleeves 
that were once too long.

We weren’t ready 
but here we are,
still crawling up into my arms 
onto my lap 
just like always.

Except the fits a little different, 
your legs dangle a little longer, 
you have to curl a little more 
to get into the crook 
of my neck like before.

My baby, 
now my little girl.
But forever 
my baby to me.

- Jennifer Anne Patton