Moments With Ivan

When you read Ivan in the title you just assumed it was a boy didn't you?

Here's a little background.

Years ago (6 1/2 years ago to be exact) there was a beautiful little hairless girl named Ivy. She was hairless by choice. She loved to pull chunks of her own hair out and twist it in her fist while she sucked her thumb. Seeing how she is my cousin and I have it in tight with her mother (Mysti), I made a suggestion.

"Mysti, I have noticed that on the left side of Ivy's head her hair is thick and about 4 inches long. I have also noticed that the right side is completely bald. Let's shave it."

Five minutes later I held the clippers and Mysti held Ivy. We shaved a # 4 all over. She cried.

When I finished I said "Hey, we should call her Ivan now, she makes a dang cute little boy."

And so we did. And we still do.

Even though she is 9 now, and her hair is halfway down her back.

It makes me sad to think that I could blink my eyes and when I open them another 6 1/2 years could pass just as quickly as the last. Sad to think that pretty soon I won't be able to pick my little Ivan up and throw her on my hip. Even more sad to think that pretty soon she won't want me to. Sad to think that one day she'll be too cool for our little photo shoots (that's what she calls them) and things of that sort will be too silly for her.

I guess for now I will just smile and be so thankful for my moments with Ivan.