Friday Night Leftovers

• Oh my word, school. There is so much to do I can’t even get a to do list written. I mean, there’s so much “stuff” at the end of the year, not to mention, you know, actually teaching the kids. Or controlling the chaos.
• I’m getting the hives/eczema combination. Think there’s any connection to the first bullet?
• Aubrey is obsessed with her cozy coupe car. Obsessed. And she doesn’t want to ride in it. No way. She wants to climb in and out of it. Over and over and over. And over.
• I’ve managed to kill the first plant for the year. The hanging plant in the front isn’t going to make it. Too much sun. Because, you know, when it says, “full sun” apparently it doesn’t really mean full sun?
• I am so ridiculously excited for two days off! It was an awfully long week, for one that was only 4 days!
• I should change the blog header. Add to list.
• You know, I never shared the biggest thankful there is…my very favorite preemie is home! Baby P is doing so well, I just can’t believe it was 8 weeks ago that she surprised everyone by showing up so early.
• I’m pretty sure Aubrey just had a major growth spurt, height wise. All of her onesies are suddenly not working. But they are so cute when she’s toddling around with her chubby thighs and sandals!
• Speaking of growing…I think I’m going to change pediatricians. I’m so sad. I love, love, love the office we go to. But it’s by our old house, and is at least a 40 minute drive one way now. It is just too hard for a quick trip. I know where we’re going to go next and I’m fine with it, I just don’t want to make the break!
• Logan picked up a cicada on our deck today. And I freaked out a little and ran away. That was not the appropriate reaction, especially since he gets so scared of things like that and it was majorly brave of him. Must work on that.

Happy Weekend! For more leftovers, visit Danifred!

Thankful on Thursday

Here we are again!

• 12.5 more days with students.  SO close to single digits!
• I went to my first official National Board Certification class tonight. They were honest and this is going to be tough. BUT, I’m very excited to do it and ready to jump in, and so thankful my neighbor is doing it with me!
• Aubrey saying mama. It’s so purposeful, I love it. After my meeting tonight she was getting her jammies on when I walked into her room and she said mama so perfectly. Ahhhhh.
• Giggles with Logan. I was reading with him at bedtime and he was telling me what he had for dinner (daddy and Grandma spoiled him with Moes!) and I was asking him what part of his tummy the food was in and tickling it and he was laughing so hard. Then he tried to listen to my tummy and we were laughing at that too. Love the laughs.
• My mom helping with swim class tonight.
• Magic spray. Do you have magic spray? It’s a spray bottle from my bathroom. And it’s magic. It helps Logan sleep at night when I spray him with the magic spray. Oh, and it just so happens to be empty and I’m spraying him with air, but don’t tell him that, okay?
• A successful internet class exchange project with my students! It was one where we were paired with another class (in NJ) and did some writing work. Sometimes those are big duds and you don’t hear back. I was the only one to try it this year and it went really well!
• Oh my new book – The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult. It’s a good one. It’s been a while since I’ve stayed up too late reading, and this book has me doing it again!
• A birthday party this weekend for a fabulous little girl!

Wahoooooo, almost Friday!

She’s Off!

So Aubrey took her first official steps on Mother’s Day, but she’s been in crawling mode unless forced to do otherwise since then. The past two days she’s changed her mind!

I still think she needs a helmet just to move, but she’s doing pretty well! It’s not perfect, and she already has one bump to show for it!

Can you see that bump above her eye? It looked a lot worse when she first got it. But she literally cried for 2 seconds then needed to “PLAY WITH THE TRIKE again, come on, why would you people ever take me away from it???”

I’m so ready for her to walk – but it’s that whole dramatic mix of emotions that comes with every milestone. Remember that little baby that would sit all snuggly in the Moby???

It’s all good…SO much fun to be had, and plenty more snuggles to come (I demand them!)!

The River!

The moment you’ve all been waiting for…the RIVER! I have to say it with that much excitement because that’s how Logan says it. All last week it was, “And then, when I wake up on Saturday, we go to THE RIVER!”  Uncle Brian and Aunt Kim were nice enough to invite us down there to spend some time last weekend, and we had a complete blast. I now present you a million and one pictures (some courtesy of Aunt Kim – thanks!).

Somebody was very proud of his new life jacket. He even wore it around the house a few nights before we left. It actually isn’t new. I was picking him up from school one day and it was sitting in the garage there and Mrs. C was like, “You can totally have that.” And so we took it! Perfect!

  

Grandma with her girls (ahem, who refuse to smile at the same time!). It is too cute to see her with both of them together!

  

Logan spent lots of time outside with Grandpa K!

The wait for the big canoe ride was tough – they were trying to install a new motor and it took some work. The rest of us hung out on the deck a lot while the guys worked on it. Logan was a lovebug with Aunt Kim all weekend, and Conner was his best buddy!

And there he was, off on his boat ride with daddy and Uncle Brian! You know, there’s no strap there holding him in of course. The only thing that helps me not worry too much is that one, he is a decent listener, and two, I know if anything were to happen both his daddy and Uncle Brian would save the day before we knew what happened! He had a fabulous time.

While we waited for them to come back we hung out on the deck swing. Aubrey LOVED it. Like, when I walked her away from it she got SO upset. And she wanted to sit there without sitting on my lap, she is big, of course. I just love the pictures of her and Samantha on it together!

Samantha is very excited to tell her all about the river!

Awwww, she let me sit with her for a minute!

All of Grandma K’s girls together! I always have such a great time chatting with Kim and am so glad the girls are close in age!

See? They just love each other!

Saturday night we had a little bit of drama. Logan somehow managed to get a TON (seriously, like 20) splinters in his hand, right around his thumb and pointer finger. Peter decided to try to get them out, and it was bad. BAD. He was trying his best but getting frustrated (they were deep!) and Logan was screaming SO terribly. Aunt Kim prevailed with a calm head, and that may be why Logan continues to adore her! Peter got a couple out that night, but we left the rest. Then on Sunday, once we were home, we sat him down in front of a new Jake (totally feel no guilt about this – it was a distraction!) , used a needle and tweezers with me holding him, and Peter got the rest out. There really were 20, I promise, no exaggeration! He keeps saying, “Thank you for getting the black things out of my hands mommy!” (Um, it was really Peter). But, I know the kid has no regrets, he played SO hard with the boys and had the best time hanging out with them. He was even big enough to climb a tree like them!

Saturday night there was too much cute. First, kids in pajamas = cute, always. Then, Logan eating a snack with Conner, cute. But then, to top it all off…Logan crawled up on the couch. I thought he was going to sit with Aidan, but he snuggled right into Grandpa K, and fell fast asleep! No nap and a late night up with the boys meant one tired kiddo!

We had SUCH a wonderful time. What a great way to kick off the summer! Thank you so much Aunt Kim and Uncle Brian, for having us. We were so excited to have everybody together. We can’t wait to see you again soon!

Long Weekend, Part 1

So, as yesterdays pictures showed, we went to the river this weekend! I have  a TON of pictures from the weekend, so you get them in a couple of parts.

We left early Saturday morning. Traffic going south on 95 is crazy this time of year, even early on a Saturday, so the best bet was to leave by 7. That was fine, but we couldn’t meet the other Z’s at their river house until 12…and it only takes 2 hours to get there. So we had a little extra time. No worries, we made good use of it!

We stopped to eat breakfast, breakfast out is always a treat! There were some very happy children this early in the morning. After pancakes they were even happier!

Breakfast didn’t take as long as we were hoping (a 3 hour breakfast anyone?) so we had some more time to kill. We decided to visit Peter’s college campus, and ended up having a blast! Since it is summer break and 9am on a Saturday,  it was deserted. It was a gorgeous (but chilly!) day, and there was tons of room for the kids to run, climb, and explore.

Logan loved the big fountain. All weekend he kept saying, “When I get bigger I’m going to go to daddy’s college and go swimming in the fountain.” Oh, I really hope not kid – the swimming in the fountain part I mean!

This picture terrifies me. Doesn’t she look like she’s just going to go off to college right now, into that dorm? I’m sure this is how I’ll still see her 17 years from now, as this little baby.

Happy, happy, happy – she loves being outside and able to just roam on her own.

There they are in front of Peter’s dorm. I have officially given my approval for them to both go there many years from now. I figure if they’re not going to go to IU (I haven’t fully given up on that dream, don’t worry!) this is a good second choice (it’s where my mom went too!).

After all of that fun running around (and seeing approximately 10,978 cicadas) it was back into the car to finish the trek to the river. Stay tuned for all that crazy fun!

Weekend Peek

We have had a busy 48 hours and are super tired. But, just a sneak peek into how wonderful our weekend has been…now this is relaxing!

More to come tomorrow!

You're Welcome

I think it's important to laugh at yourself. A lot. And so I bring you a fabulous reason to laugh at me...a dance party tonight in our family room. I wasn't attempting to dance well , though if I was it would still look like this. But this? This is the stuff family memories are really made of. Embarrassing, all out there, fun. And Aubrey's moves in the beginning are awesome. Can't believe I'm really posting, but here ya go!

I'm phone blogging and could not figure this out, so you have to work a little harder...

Click for the awesomeness.

Thankful on Thursday

• I’m thankful that goggles make this kid so happy – and that he agreed to take them off before we went into Chipolte!

• Also thankful that Aubrey has decided talking isn’t the worst thing in the world. She seems to be more into it than her brother was at this age, and that’s good because lack of talking stresses me out.
• I’m thankful my husband puts up with all my talking!
• Cocoa powder, pb2 and banana – YUM.
• A little break from the heat this afternoon and for the weekend. The high 80s was quite sudden and sticky.
• Rain that helped water the flowers, since I cannot seem to remember to do it.
• 16.5 days. IT MUST GO FASTER. I fear I will not make it to the end!
• Dinner with my mom (and the kids) tonight. Always love not having to do dishes!

HAPPY almost Friday and long weekend! Summer is almost unofficially here!

Awwww

All together now…

I promise, promise, promise they do not always smile and hug each other. We have our moments:

• Aubrey steals cups that aren’t hers (Seriously, is there a way to keep her from doing that? She is not getting the color difference, clearly. A cup! Mine! is all she thinks). Logan does NOT like that, at all.
• Logan is loving the baby bottle we got Aubrey. The concept of sharing is not quite being understood by either of them on that one.
• Aubrey pretty much wants to be with Logan all.the.time. Including when he is sitting calmly on the couch. “Mommy she’s touching me!” AHHHH! Touching!
• And who in the world ate the last graham cracker at the grocery store? Because they were both a little mad at each other for that – and I never figured out who the culprit was.

But oh, so far so good. Logan still loves to go in and get her up in the mornings, she pretty much adores everything he does, and for the most part there still isn’t a whole lot to argue about yet. YET. For now we’re still enjoying the calls of “sweet girlie” and he frantic beating on the glass at swimming lessons last week when Aubrey saw Logan in the water.

Talk to me again in 10 years…

And Again…

My TV is glued to CNN. I mean, after kids go to bed of course. The tornado in Oklahoma today has shaken me over the past hour, since I got on facebook and saw some posts about it. You know what gets me, right? The same thing that gets everybody – the school. Yet it pulls at you a little more when you are a teacher.

School can make us crazy. Yes, it’s this cute little elementary school. Kids are adorable, it’s so much fun! And then, sometimes it’s just NOT. Because, you know, it is WORK. 26 little bodies who depend on me, for everything, for 7.5 hours. Oh sometimes they make me crazy. Sometimes I feel like I’m not doing the best I can, I’m not giving them enough, I’m not being patient enough, yet they still look at me with those sparkling eyes and are happy and bubbly, and ready to know what’s next. They are non-stop, needy, and go, go, go.

But you know what? They’re babies. They are somebody’s babies. And while they’re there? They’re mine. They trust me completely. I know what those teachers felt. Protect the kids. Take care of the kids. Take care of MY kids.

If you are a parent, here’s how you can help your child’s teacher. Teach your children that when there’s an emergency, their ONLY job is to be QUIET and to listen to the teacher and follow directions. We have about 6 different “emergency” preparedness drills that we do, with different procedures. They’re hard for me to keep straight, let alone a first grader. Every time we have a drill they pull the “what ifs…” What if we’re outside? What if somebody knocks on our door? What if there is a fire while there is a tornado? And what I always tell them is, “That’s my job. All you have to do is be quiet.”

I really, really do not want another reason to watch CNN anytime in the near future, unless it is for some amazingly happy event. Thinking of everyone affected by these sad, sad events.

Sunday Rides

Um, no, we didn’t go for a lazy Sunday drive, the way my dad used to do with his parents (uh, I think you did that dad…did I make that up?). I mean, are there such things as lazy drives in NoVA these days? I think not.

But, the kids did go for some fun rides of their own this afternoon. Hey, we take free, cheap fun where we can get it around here!

Someone loves, loves, loves the rocking horse. She also kept waving out the window, which was hysterical.

Then we went to Lowes, to get some more flowers (Oh my, I have 8 flowers planted right now, in 8 different pots. My black thumb is scared.). Logan asked to ride on the “tractors” – and was there a reason to say no?

Don’t worry Bestie, he’ll come mow your lawn!  

On a totally different note, Peter would like me to show you this video of what happened in our living room yesterday.

That’s what happens when you leave your husband alone for too long. He finds crazy apps on his phone and starts making movies that make him laugh so hard you’re afraid he’s not breathing. There are approximately 396 videos like this. It’s the little things in life, right?

21 days people…21 days. I mean, if you want to be even more precise it’s 20 1/2 days. That means after tomorrow we’ll be in the TEENS. I think I can, I think I can…

Saturday Randoms

• Today was Relay for Life Day! It was rainy and yucky, but cleared up around 4. I did my part of the walk and also got to see the Survivor’s lap, which was SO touching and incredible.
• Aubrey said mama twice yesterday! With intention!
• I just went to Target by myself. I KNOW. That is some serious Saturday night excitement.
• We still have the Pack-n-play set up in the family room. The intention of having it there was to have a place to keep Aubrey contained. Aubrey does NOT like it. At all. Yet taking it down seems so hard, the real end of babydom!
• I watched Logan wake up today after his nap and he made the same faces that he did when he woke up as an infant. I kind of wanted to melt.
• We got a baby bottle at the store for Aubrey’s babies. Logan has been very into feeding the baby, and I think it’s interesting how quickly Aubrey knew exactly what to do…look how cute!

I left Relay tonight after crying HARD when one of our teachers got to walk in the survivor lap, and her daughter was there with her. They are super close, and all I could think of is what it would feel like as a mom, not to have a child who was sick (oh I can’t even begin to imagine) but to be the one who is sick and be terrified of THEIR future. Because that’s what happens when you become a mom – it all changes to them. I am so, so, so blessed and lucky to be healthy and have healthy kids. So glad I could walk today to support those who have gone through those hard times.

Happy rest of the weekend!

Thankful on Thursday

• I’m thankful it’s Thursday. Because that means tomorrow is Friday. Was this the l-o-n-g-e-s-t week ever or what?
• I haven’t seen a cicada yet. That makes me very happy.
• Aubrey’s ears were all clear at the doctor for her follow up today!
• Speaking of, so thankful my parents were able to get Logan to swimming while I had Aubrey at the doctor.
• Also thankful that Logan finally “fell” off the wall without help. Oh that skill was killing us – I did get there in time to see it!
• I have learned to sleep with the hall bathroom light on. I used to hate complete darkness, but now I have to have it. And Logan has been wanting the bathroom light on all night, which doesn’t seem like an awful request. We keep our door cracked, so I was worried about the light bothering me. But so far, so good!
• There is ONE more week until Memorial Day. And we all know after Memorial Day, it’s over. No matter when you get out of school.

And, that’s all folks. Bedtime for sure, early morning workouts make this girl tired at night!

What They’re Saying Lately

I always love when Tasha does these posts, and forget to do them myself! We’ve had a few funny moments lately, so here’s a roundup of what we’re hearing around here.

Logan:

“Can you build me a super dooper fort please? Not a medium one.”

“Mommy it’s just a yellow light, go slow, no stopping!” (ahem, thank you soccer and red light/green light games!)

“I am going to marry E (from school). And I’m going to marry Mrs. C (his teacher). And then I’m going to marry you mommy.” 

“No, but thank you for asking.” (Said after I asked him if he wanted more dinner, out of the blue).

“Remember when…” Fill in the blank. This kid remembers EVERYTHING and would like to take you down memory lane a thousand times a day.

“Is it Thursday?” (nope, sorry buddy, Wednesday) “Oh, Coach Heather will miss me today, no swimming.”

“You turn left, then go straight, then right, mommy, turn here…” He gives me directions all the time in the car. They are not correct, but they are amusing.

“I need a band-aid, you see I have a boo boo. ” I do believe about 2 weeks ago he hated band-aids. Now they are required. Always.

“It’s May! We can go to the big pool now!” Yep, says that every day too. Even though we still can’t go until Memorial Day.

Then there’s this one…

She likes to say HI. A lot. Then some more. She likes to wave to everybody. Random strangers at the grocery store. The neighbors. The ducks in the pond. The people walking on the other side of the pond. You’re in her line of vision? Aubrey’s waving at you and saying hi.

We get the occasional “Ni Ni” for night-night, and dada, and while she can certainly say mamamamama it’s not directed at me. She’s got the grunting and pointing thing down.

The other day Peter swears she said, “Got it.” When they were rolling the ball. I swear she said, “woof woof” when I asked her what doggies say.

She can sign more, milk, please, and up. She can also blow kisses, love!

Somebody needs to invent a way to just record your everyday, all the time. Like the Truman Show, but not in a creepy way. So I can actually remember all this stuff!

The Real Mother’s Day Fun

Since it didn’t get a real post last night, here are our highlights from yesterday…

• I got up to workout and left Peter with the monitor, which meant I got some extra sleep before I had to get up.
• I got a yummy breakfast delivered right to the table from Panera!
• Then I went back to SLEEP! And I took a really long shower. That’s not very common around here and it was awesome.
• I got some fabulous cards and a flower from Logan too.
• Peter got me exactly what I wanted – my next set of workout DVDs!
• Logan filled out the funniest questionnaire at school. It’s hard to read when I take a picture, so I’ll type it out for you. The bold words are what he told his teacher to write:

She is 10 years old. Her favorite thing to eat is waffles. Her favorite color is blue. She likes going to the park. My favorite thing to do with my mommy is play with her.  She loves to eat with me. I love my mommy because I love her.

• And then, you know, just for fun, Aubrey decided to take some first independent steps! She’s not walking all over the place, but she’ll walk between two people and get a good 4-5 steps in (blink and you’ll miss it!).

A walking

• We got to spend a little while with my mom and Facetime with Grandma K too!
• There was takeout Thai and ice cream. YUM!
• And I totally was in bed at 9. Win.

And then today, after all those struggles to get pictures yesterday, I captured THIS!

Two smiling, hugging children! Love, love, love!  The real meaning of Mother’s Day and all that good stuff, right there.

Happy Mother's Day!

This post isn't going to get the attention it deserves, because my allergies hit full force at 4pm and I don't know what else to do but go to bed!

But, a quick huge thank you to my mom and mother-in-law, for both being so amazing.

And, to my wonderful hubby and kiddos, thanks for a great day! After a million picture attempts, this one was the best we got...I like to think Logan thinks I'm a bit more exciting than this most of the time. I am so blessed to be the mommy of these wonderful little people!

Speed Racer

Did you see that flash that sped by you on the street today? Was it going too fast? Well, here’s a close up.

My parents got Logan a balance bike for Christmas – on my suggestion. And I still really think balance bikes are the way to start. I just think you have to start around 18 months, not already at 3 years. We decided Logan was ready for a real bike, and today we decided to just go for it. Because sometimes you just need a little new fun, right?

We couldn’t exactly figure out what size he needed, but apparently this is the right one. Who knew that even with training wheels you should be able to touch the ground, just slightly?

He was WAY excited. The whole, “We have to put it together” concept was lost on him. Good thing Peter was pretty fast! I wouldn’t say he gets it completely, but he’s getting there!

Logan riding

My favorite part is that when he pedals backwards and brakes he says, “Whew, I need a break.”

So watch out world. We have to move the handlebars up some, but then he’s going to be zooming off…at least around the cul-de-sac!

Friday Night Leftovers

• I got a Subway card for Teacher Appreciation Week today. Um, hello awesome Friday dinner!
• My class planted beans today. We went outside, so it wouldn’t be so messy. And then 3 of them dropped their plants in the hall on the way in. Ah, first grade.
• 26 more days! 26 more days!
• It is not possible for me to be losing any worse at Words with Friends, to either Bestie or M. That’s what I get for bragging about my 3 good words. Stupid point letters (because it couldn’t possibly be my lack of ability).
• I adore, adore, adore my husband. But in the last week we’ve both decided we need a king size bed. For real.
• I need to buy some kid sunscreen. That stuff is expensive, but I can’t in good conscience get the chemical crazed ones. We’re California Baby people, you know, the stuff that makes them look like ghosts.
• Aubrey is in the stage where she picks up everything and pretends it’s a phone, holding it to her ear and saying, “HI!” I laugh every time.
• I’ve worked out at least 4 days a week for the past 9 weeks. In a groove, for sure.
• Now I just need to get my act together with our meals. I am so out of energy when I get home, and my prep on the weekends has been minimal. I need to get on that.
• Logan now sleeps with 2 cars, Finn and Holly. Well, and 4 stuffed animals. He might need a king size bed too.
• Speaking of, grocery list, here I come!!!

Thankful on Thursday

• Oh, Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s possible I might just roll out the door of school tomorrow. It has clearly become Feed the Teacher Week. So thankful that our parents are so good to us though!
• SUN! It was actually sunny today. The temperatures can’t make up their minds, but sun was nice.
• My cousins, J and J, graduate from college tomorrow! I’m thankful for this for a lot of reasons, but one of the biggest is that my mom and dad put a TON of their lives into J and J’s lives. It’s a whole mess of a long story that many of you know, and it makes me so happy that my mom and dad get to see the end result of what a wonderful thing they did, opening their home and whole life, 20 years ago.
• Momastery.com – I’m so thankful I rediscovered this blog. I’m reading Glennon’s book right now and it is right what I need before bed.
• I only had to write one bizarre slip to the school nurse this week, so that’s progress.
• Hand-me downs! Aubrey has so adorable clothes from the H’s and she was so stinkin’ cute today, love!
• I am so thankful my children are upstairs, sleeping. After the whole issue in Cleveland I have been majorly freaked out this week. I literally thought I was going to throw up. Thankful for safe babies.
• Peter came downstairs this week during one of my morning workouts and told me how proud he was of me and what a great job I was doing. Since I get up so early he misses the fun most of the time. The compliment meant so much to me, so thankful for those words.

FRIDAY!!! You are so close!

Rainy Nights

Rainy afternoons don’t generate a whole lot of fun around here. We’ve had a TON of rain lately, including storms, and it’s just been crazy. I am ready for it to stop! Anyway, not winning Mother of the Year tonight. The rain and a few random things at school left me rather uninspired when we got home, and my poor children ended up with what wasn’t exactly a culinary masterpiece…

Grilled cheese, carrots, and blueberries. It isn’t showing up on Pinterest any time soon. Some nights, that’s the best I’ve got. And judging from Logan’ plate at the end of the meal, he was okay with that. And Aubrey too, who surprisingly even almost ate her whole sandwich!

However, the best part of dinner tonight was Aubrey learning a new sign! So this is just for Grandma and Pa Pa K, who will be so proud. It’s please, and it’s not exactly the right sign, but it’s what she does over and over for it so it’s how she’s doing it!

“Please”

Can I also please just show you my BIG boy? He looks so old. I can’t handle it. The polo shirts get me every time, and he only has about a million of those for summer. 

Here’s hoping for some sunshine tomorrow!

Where There’s a Will…

Aubrey will find a way.

Saturday night my parents came over for dinner and we played a bit outside. Aubrey was looking all cute in a little dress.

But she was not a fan of the asphalt on her knees. I mean, I wouldn’t be either. That’s why you should walk, ya know? However, our resourceful Aubrey found a way around that, thank you very much.

Enter, the bear crawl.

Oh yes, she did that all the way into the garage. How cute are those adorable legs? My little 19lb15oz peanut still has some fabulously cute rolls!

I promise I didn’t make her suffer. I went to get the girl some pants. But if she doesn’t decide to take the leap and start walking soon, we're going to have to invest in knee pads for summer!

Life with Two

The best and worst thing about having 2 kids?

You know that this messy face (peanut butter and prunes – not together, but they ended up together on her face):

Will eventually change into this clean (mostly) face:

Messy faces are drama around here. The cloth to clean her face is evil, clearly. Just like it was with Logan’s. Messy faces = messy floors = messy clothes. Repeat 5 times a day. It’s enough to drive you batty every now and then.

The biggest way I’ve changed since having a second child is that I know phases really are just that – phases. Sleep? It’ll happen eventually. Not eating? Eh, they’re toddlers, they’ll eat when they’re hungry. Fever of 104? The doc doesn’t worry until 105, I know that! Still hanging onto the bedtime bottle? It’ll go eventually. Messy face and floors? Fewer spills and food actually making it into the mouth is coming, eventually.

But sometimes? The phases are too fast. They’re gone before I even really realized they were there. I have a little girl who likes to crawl, quickly. Walking is just oh so not necessary. And I often think “Come on, walk! Let’s do this!” Then in the same breath I catch myself and think – “oh you’re going to be running away from me – make it stop!”

The best and worst thing. It all ebbs and flows, and changes. And if you blink, it’s gone. Fast.