when you notice they aren't babies anymore

Every mom has experienced this. And I did with both my children just a few days ago. In the midst of taking a million pictures of them, you look back and BAM! There is the picture that changes the game. The one that makes you tear up instantly. Not because it didn't come out the way you wanted it to. But because it's a glimmer of what your precious pea will look like as a teenager! It's true that they grow so fast and when you see them everyday you don't necessarily notice how much in such a short amount of time. So without further ado...

Nicolas,
Really???? This day when we got home from work and daycare, I let you check the mail because your daddy wasn't home yet so I knew it was still in there. It was all junk obviously and I let you carry it up to the door while I got your sister out. You plopped yourself down on the door step and starting what looked like reading the ads. It was absolutely an adorable sight so naturally I snapped a few pictures. Then once we got inside the house I looked back at the pictures and there was this one. My eyes instantly welled up. When did you get so big? You have such a smoldering handsome look about you in this shot and it took my breath away. I could see you as a 17 year old boy. I could see you all grown up. Why are you in such a hurry to get there? Don't you know I'm not ready for that yet? You've hit the stage where your looks are permanent. When you're grown, we can look back at this picture and I'm certain you will look exactly the same. One more thing, please slow down.

Raegan,
Look at you pretty girl! This picture was taken because you just looked absolutely adorable in this jumper that I had to send a picture to your Aunt Devan. Her text back to me was exactly what I was thinking, that you looked so big here. Anyone that knows you knows how petite you are but for some reason you just look so grown here. Maybe it's the angle from which it's taken, but whatever the reason I don't like it. You're taking a liking to your brother's pace and if you're not aware, I don't approve. Your smile cracks me up in this picture because you look like you are so proud of your standing accomplishment, of which you should be. But again, I can see a glimmer of the teenage you. There's only one thing I'm sure of, you will only get more beautiful. I'll end same as I did for your brother, please slow down.

We're moving!!

yes that's correct! Currently we are in a 2 bedroom 1 bath duplex which would be perfect if we still only had once child. But since having Raegan we've felt like we've outgrown this little home of ours. So to better suit our family that has grown, we are in the middle of moving. We found out right before Christmas that we were approved for our new home so since the day after Christmas, I've been overwhelmed with packing. Thankfully I've been really organized and it hasn't been too bad.

When I really sit to think about all that has gone on since living here it makes moving bittersweet. After my husband and I first married at the end of that same month I found out I was pregnant so to save money we moved in with my grandma. When Nicolas was 8 months old we moved here. This home was our first home as a married couple and a family. Nicolas finally got his own room in this house. We celebrated his baptism, first and second birthday. I found out I was pregnant with our darling girl in this house. We also celebrated her baptism while living here. This house has seen us through two Christmas' and we will (in this upcoming week) have brought in the new year twice. This may not have been the best or most up to date home but it holds so many memories from our family. It's witnessed our relationship evolve and had front row seats to watch our family grow. This has been a great little home for our family and I will always have sweet memories when I think back to our first home.

But for now.. packing, packing, and more packing!

With the occasional play time of course!

Rock-a-bye baby

Right now if you remember..we are in the midst of sleep training our son

who now has a toddler bed and loves to get in and out of

open his door and run out to play

instead of sleeping

so...

we got a baby gate..

and he would cry it out until he would get the point

and crawl back in bed and..

fall asleep

hallelujah!

Lately he's had good nights and bad nights when it comes to bed time

This night was one of those bad nights

It was a Sunday

He didn't take a nap this day

So when bedtime came around he was clearly ready

but of course he wanted to put up a fight

My poor son stood at his door

crying and begging for me to hold him

so of course

I caved..

Rocked him and

20 minutes later...



I don't want to forget this..

I actually started to cry

because I was thinking that one day

he will be too big..

one day

he will no longer need me to hold him

but this day

he wanted and needed his momma

and this is something I never ever

ever ever

want to forget

My babies..

As if I don't talk about these critters enough and explode my blog with nothing but pictures of them..

Here's yet another reason to mention just how insanely obsessed I am with them..

Every few weeks I try to sneak in a picture like this just for my keeping..

As a reminder that I have the two most precious blessings I could ever ask for..

I want to remember this warm feeling that overtook my heart the second I looked back at these pictures..

A brother..

And..

A sister..

Already friends..

Who already love each other so much even though they don't understand the feeling..

As soon as I sat her on his lap the snap shot to the left was her initial reaction..

And as soon as he realized I sat her there the snap shot on the right was his initial reaction..

So natural and so heartfelt..

I'm very very very much in love with these two!

I don't want to forget..

((Back story))

When I was younger, I (and my sister and two cousins) would go to church with my grandparents. I would try to always sit next to my grandpa because he kept me entertained during Mass. Whether it was playing tic-tac-toe on the bulletin, giving me "candy" which were really his breath mints he used to keep in his pocket, or playing with his ring. Yes, his wedding ring. I would take it off his finger and try to see if it fit on any of mine. I would examine it completely. And my favorite of all, was to twirl it on his finger. (I always have loved how a wedding band looks on a man's hand. Especially hard working hands. A diamond in the rough, if you will.)

So this day, when I was at home with my babies doing nothing imparticular Nicolas sat down in front of me and grabbed my hand. My left hand. And what he started doing next brought tears to my eyes. He was twirling my ring. Memories flooded my mind of a time when I was the child facisnated with something I didn't quite understand the meaning of. And now, I'm the adult witnessing that same fascination. This time from my son. Who just happens to be named after my grandpa..

I don't want to forget this..