Big kid in a little kids world

It was cousin Harvey's first birthday party today. Caitlin was looking forward to being the big kid 'in charge' of all the wee ones.

But as I watched her try and sit on all the tiny toddler playground equipment and look horribly out of place, I felt bad for my first baby. She is caught between desperately wanting to grow up and wanting to be little enough to enjoy playing in a younger, imaginary world.

It's a painful, confusing time being 9.