Miss This

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this
-Trace Adkins "You're Gonna Miss This"

Emerging from a rough season of sickness after sickness, 

emotional exhaustion, physical brokenness, 

I do know I will miss this.  

Maybe not the sickness, exhaustion, and brokenness, 

but the little moments in between.

While I do not love that a white box of baby wipes is the centerpiece on our kitchen table
among paperwork, computers, and crumbs, I am happy that we have a table to sit around as a family. I will miss it when life gets too crazy or sports, friends, and work interfere with family dinners.

While the piles of books on the floor day after day drive me crazy, I love that I have two little ones who have access to a well-stocked children's library and will likely love learning.  I will miss it when my boys think they are too big to present me with a book and plop down in my lap to listen to their favorite story for the tenth time in one day.

While urgent care visits and blood marring the face of my first born are admittedly one of my least favorite things, I am glad to have great care providers - and a calm husband and a brave boy.  I will miss the days when a hug from Mommy and a stuffed-Rex snuggle cannot fix the hurt that the world will bring.

When dishes get stacked up and laundry baskets overflow, I find peace in playing on the floor, holding a grumpy toddler, and listening to my five year old sing the same song {incorrectly, but adorably} twenty times in a row.  These are the moments I will miss.

The happy.

The sad.

And all the crazy in between.

I'm gonna miss this.

18 Months

A year and a half - unbelievable.

Even though he is more 'big boy' than baby, 

I have cherished just a few more nights of 'wok-wok' 

- rocking the sweet boy to sleep.

He is easily half (almost exactly) half of my height,

but fits so perfectly against my chest.

Sweet little hands that mimic mine rubbing his back; 

chubby fingers grabbing mine to rest on his cheek; 

open mouth breathing leaving puddles of drool on my shoulder.

Precious, quiet moments.

When he is not still or quiet,

he is laughing at Alekzander's shenanigans,

chasing after Syra, 

or wrecking shelves of organized books or toys!

Elmo, books, gorillas, and balls remain favorites.

He knows every book in the house that has a "rilla" in it

and walks around with at least one Elmo book in his hand at all times.

Strawberries, blueberries, bread and "noo-els" are consumed often and voraciously.

Brother hugs are met with resistance 50% of the time.

"No" has become a favorite phrase - especially when he's being silly.

Silly happens often!

Unbelievable - this little human whom we love with all our hearts.

Seventeen Months

While some seventeen month olds

melt on the ground in a toddler tantrum,

our sweet boy laid down in the middle of

Billy Graham Library to get a better view

of the enormous Christmas tree.

This season is one of wonder.

To see it through the eyes of a seventeen month old

makes it even more wondrous.

Trees with lights "on", 

"balls" decorating the trees.

"Tanta" saying "Ho, ho, ho."

"No, no, no" becoming a favorite word.

Touching the ornaments,

dancing to a musical ornament

over and over and over again.

Laughing delicious belly laughs.

Eating too many Christmas cookies.

Wonder-filled.

Wonderful.

A Visit with Santa

You have to put your name on the nice list.

Santa will check it twice though.

{First year penning his own name} 

 Pretty successful!  

No tears, though Anderson was not particularly impressed.

{Alekzander later pointed out that we didn't tell Santa what Anderson wanted.

Luckily, I think the old guy has a special connection with babies,

and knows exactly what they want.}

Telling Santa his Christmas wish :: a red scooter.

Santa initially heard "red skittles," but we were able to clarify.  

And to clear up any confusion, Alekzander drew a very clear picture of his wish.

Incredibly proud Mommy & Daddy moment - 

Alekzander flipped his paper over and drew out his Christmas wish ...

{unprompted & unassisted}

Apparently there were no red crayons available 

to add detail to the scooter, so on his own, he spelled out R-E-D. 

{Yay Mrs. Meaghan & TK}

Mailing his note

Merry Christmas Cards

Five!

Sweetest boy. 
We are so proud of you.
Proud of your bravery this year - facing school, making friends, branching out.
Proud of your kindness every day - to your brother, to your doggy, to your friends.
Proud of your creativity - building car washes out of wood blocks, making bathtub milkshakes.
Proud of your intellect - endless questions, counting, writing, spelling your favorite food "BL-BRE" and your name.
Most of all, we are proud of your heart.

Instead of presents from your friends, we asked for books for one of our favorite non-profits, Rohr Rockstars.  Instead of tears or whining, you said, "OK" and even posed for a picture holding the heavy pile.

Even though you are starting to rough-house with your brother, you always make sure he is okay - even after the accidental bump.  You know what what he needs before we do.  You like to touch his face and talk to him in the sweetest voice.

On your special day, you chose to run errands with Mommy and picked out two Christmas presents for children who would not have a Christmas otherwise.  Your heart shined through when you picked out a present you would have liked to keep for yourself but wanted another little boy to enjoy it.

At dinner each night, you add something to the blessing.  You, alone, are a blessing, but your prayers are always thoughtful and selfless.  You thank God for your family, our safety, and you remember to pray for your uncle specifically remembering the place where he is deployed.

You are the best snuggler and freely hand out "I love yous" when they are needed most or - even better - just because.  You have so much love in your heart; you are loved so much. Adored beyond words.

Happy 5th birthday, big guy. 
We love you!

Party Prep

Posing in front of the movie posters that Daddy drew

for Alekzander's Planes: Fire & Rescue viewing party.

The party plan :: 

Invite 13 TK classmates for an after-dinner, drop-off, movie-viewing, 

pajama-wearing, lovey-toting birthday party on a Friday night.

Simple refreshments.  Zero decorations.  Toys/distractions hidden.

Easy and fun.

We followed through with the Planes theme with a few special, early birthday presents

{Planes: Fire & Rescue movie, Planes sleeping bag, Planes: Fire & Rescue pajamas}

and had to test out the goods and the projector before Alekzander's friends arrived.

Brother had to be in on the pre-party action too.