A Right of Passage to Big Girlhood

In January, we started talking with Whitleigh about her upcoming third birthday. We would sit and ask her what she wanted from Carter and us and one day she says, "I want mine ears pierced. Just like yours Mommy. And like Brooke's too." Ty and I just sat there and looked at each other. We hadn't ever discussed when we would let her do this and really never thought she'd be asking for it at almost 3! So, we did what most responsible parents do. We blew her off in hopes she would forget about the entire converstation. Unfortunately, that NEVER is the case with my kids.

March came and Whitleigh grew with excitement. She never once voiced any fear towards the subject or hesitation about getting them. So, the weekend before her big day we were up in Boise and decided to do it.

After telling her what we were going in to the mall to do, she was beaming! She talked a mile a minute all the way to the store and with each step her smile got bigger and bigger.

She was ready. I was ready. Ty... well, he was a little nervous. But once he saw how brave and proud she was to be sitting up in the chair, he relaxed (a little.)

The lady came over and asked Whitleigh to pick which earrings she would like. I was expecting the same 5 that were offered 24 years ago when I was 3 but, WOW, how times have changed. Seriously, I got to choose from either gold or silver stars, hearts, squares, circles or triangles back in 1985. Now, they can get anything from their birthstone to Hello Kitty. Unreal. Anyhow, so we show Whitleigh the chart and sure enough she studies the types and decides on the 6cm CZ diamond studs. Ty immediately looks as me and says, "Why does that not surprise me? You are your Mother's child!" We decided to make the decision a little easier on her and again showed her the chart but this time told her to choose between the small gold balls or her March birthstone. She chose the gold balls. I signed the paperwork and the pictures tell the rest of the story.