It REALLY is Puberty

Towards the end of 2012, Hannah was in need of a bra. Not an everyday thing, just when she wore lightweight shirts. Keeping modest and all.

Now, another milestone. I officially record March 16, 2013 as the beginning of puberty for Hannah. Why? She is 2 out of 3 of the three big things to look for. "Buds"...check. Body hair ...check. I'm not looking forward to the third. In fact, I'm willing the clock backwards because I'm not ready for my baby to grow up.

We were at the store yesterday, I was looking at flat irons. Hannah was goofing around with pink headbands. A week ago, she hated all things pink. But here she was, on March 16, 2013, trying pink headbands. Already had a pink belt in the cart. Also had a bathing suit with a pink bottom. That shocked me. I had gone through great lengths to avoid anything with pink in her ski attire...had ended up buying boys clothes! She has boys ski boots! Now, it's, "well...pink is my least favorite color..."

She had come up to me, wearing a headband with a pink bow on top, made faces, then reached up to mess up my hair. My eyes went right to the tuft of hair on her armpit. My first thought was Whoa! When did that get there? I schooled myself and brought myself to a place of neutrality, leaned in close to her ear, and whispered, "It's time to shave your armpits."

She groaned, then giggled, then groaned again and said, "Mom! Everyone heard that!" I reassured her I had whispered, no one knew what was going on. I picked a blue razor (The Venus) and she picked a berry-scented shave gel. I texted my husband "I just discovered Hannah has hair under her armpits, I'm buying her her first razor and shave gel!" I'm sure he did not jump for joy over the fact that his baby girl, the one he held every night at around 10pm, feeding her and watching The Simpsons, was indeed at the start of puberty.

Now, buying the stuff was easy. Actually doing it...well, that's another story for another time. Hannah wants to blowdry her hair. She has not wanted her hair done in a long time. In fact, she asked for swoopy bangs. So off I go, to make my little girl pretty.