The only vegetable my 5-year-old will eat willingly is corn. She especially loves corn on the cob -- this is why I will shell out big bucks for less-than-tasty corn on the cob in January (and that is why I get highly irritated when she doesn't eat it).

On Monday, she left her corn laying on her plate. When I asked why she didn't eat it, she said it hurt her "wiggly tooth."

I took a look inside and, sure enough, one of her bottom front teeth is loose.

I feined excitement, lest she be frightened about losing her teeth, but in truth my heart sank a little. I mean, she's losing her BABY teeth! One more remnant of childhood soon to be gone forever.

It seems one of my kids is reaching a new milestone or acquiring a new skill every other day now and frankly, it's all just happening too quickly for me.

What next? Training bras? The "talk"? College applications? Helping Kelly pick out a china pattern for her wedding registry?

Wasn't it just yesterday I was running my finger over her drool-covered gums in search of new baby teeth. The ones that now, a mere 5 years later, are falling out?

I never thought it would be this hard. I thought I'd celebrate every milestone, cheer every accomplishment and beam with pride at my "big" girls. And, I do -- on the outside anyway.

Inside I'm still struggling to find a balance between wanting my girls to grow up and wanting them to stay my baby girls forever.