So here it is, the first family picture in ages. We have attempted this many times before, but our kids tend to get a severe case of the wiggles. So we went out on a limb and prayed for a Thanksgiving miracle and got it! I must say the look on my face is a bit mischievous, but Seth has assured me it looks good, but I think he might be pulling one over on me;) This past month has been such an eye opening one, but in a very good way. I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but when I am feeling down and out, I like to spend money. With all this black Friday stuff, I feel like Satan has been waving temptations in my face. I have been really trying hard to simplify our lives and just learn to be content with what we have. As a parent, I find myself constantly trying to encourage my kids to share and to be content with the things that they have. Yet, I find myself going out and buying things to make myself feel better. Sure, it's not something normally fancy. In fact it just might be something simple as a salty treat or whatever, but still it's quite hypocritical on my part. So here I am, hiding out from the black Friday shopapalooza, thinking about buying a new bedding set for only $100 (but not doing it!), or maybe a new sweater to hide my muffin top. The only thing we indulged in was a toaster over for $20 that Seth has been salivating over long since before we were married. So today we are having a family day after having a wonderful Thanksgiving. The kids got along great with their wonderful cousins and Seth and I got some much needed adult time. As I have begun to check my messages, I am finding so many others in such great need. A friend whose son has Leukemia and now the whole family has the stomach flu, another whose water bag was punctured during a much needed surgery and now their baby needs many prayers to stay in so she can finish out her pregnancy, another child who lost his battle to cancer yesterday. I have found these stories to encourage me not to take one moment for granted. All of the worldly things that I so easily get caught up in, really don't matter. I am glad I read their stories, as now the temptation isn't there, instead it shifts my focus to what really matters. Community, love, and time. Even us, who have learned these lessons first hand, still need reminders to help us focus on what is truly important. I experienced this first hand this morning as Seth let me sleep in. When I woke up, I was bombarded with hugs from my wonderful family. Aria kept on wrapping her arms around me and saying "Mmmmm, great hug!" Isaiah of course wanted to show me his latest find in his latest book. Seth was happily informing me of all that went on before I woke up. I was only separated from them few hours and they missed me so much. The cutest part of my day so far was watching Seth learn how to braid Aria's hair. I have been trying to teach Seth how to do her hair. My Dad used to do my hair, and I feel it is important that he learn something that can really be quite the bonding experience (I teach him domestic things, he teaches me how to do household construction, it's a fair trade). Plus, if I am not able to do it, then he can. Aria sat really still as we passed her back and forth while I showed him how to do it. It took a few tries and he'll need much more practice, but Seth did really well! I really admire him. Seth works so hard for our family, and really tries so hard in all that he does. I don't think he realizes the impact he is making on our children to see their father love on them so much. Instead of doing things he wants to do, he plays with the kids or listens to me talk about my latest passion. Every day we are reminded that Eli and Rory aren't here, but holidays really emphasize their absence. We became better spouses to each other and parents to our kids because of their lives. We have been through so much, and we have learned nothing is guaranteed. Every day is a miracle. Whether it be bad or good, it's another day with our loved ones. It's really the simple things in life that really bring you joy, a sunny day, your kids getting along, or watching your husband braid your daughter's hair for the first time. My kids are healthy and I don't take that for granted. So I encourage you after all that you do, to sit down, let go of your worries, give G-d thanks, pray for others, and just be in the moment. I imagine Aurora and Elijah are singing, playing, eating, dancing in Heaven. I don't think they are worried how they look or that they don't have the right clothes, they are just enjoying G-d's grace. We don't have to be in Heaven to enjoy this ourselves. Instead, we can bring Heaven to Earth and just appreciate what we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Watch, pray, believe, and be amazed.
So much has happened in the past 30 days. I ended up going on my Pursuit of Wholeness Woman's retreat. I went with the hope of rejuvenating my faith in the Lord, but at least figured I'd get a much needed rest. I came away with much more than that, Praise the Lord!! I came away with a deep thirst and hunger to seek out the Lord, made wonderful friends, and also got a much needed rest. It was surreal how time disappeared while we were there. It almost felt like you were somewhere between heaven and earth. I learned a lot about how I view G-d, others, and myself. I have come away less fearful, anxious, anger, bitter, jealous, and list goes on. Instead I now feel hope, faith, love, excitement, joy, and that list goes on. I am learning to let go of the painful "whys" and instead am looking to "what good is going to come from this!" It doesn't make all the pain and hurt of the past, present, or future go away. Instead it makes it feel more valid. Pain happens to help mold us. You can either sit in it and ask "why me?" or say "this stinks, but I know He is faithful." I am not saying my kids dying was the way I wanted things to go, or that I wouldn't change it in a heart beat, but it is what is. I want to show others that their lives meant something, that G-d doesn't make mistakes. We don't forget what has happened, we learn from it. I have learned to not take one day for granted. I have learned to love others with my whole heart (it is better to love and lost than never to have loved at all). I learned that I was putting my kids and my husband before G-d. I can't do that. I figured if I hang on to them tight enough, G-d won't take them away. That isn't true, and it doesn't make them happy. I found it was suffocating them, they couldn't fully live because Mommy or Kelly might be upset. I admit I have back slid, but now I allow myself the grace to forgive myself. It's funny, I have been living in a house for 4 1/2 years and all but one room is white. We painted the nursery when Isaiah was born, but other than that I have been afraid of painting in case I make a mistake. What if the colors look bad or go out of style? How silly is that? I didn't want to invite my friends over because my house wasn't as nice as theirs. How ridiculous is that. The list goes on and I look back and think, how much time have I wasted for fear of taking a risk. So what if the colors look bad, I can repaint them. So what if my house isn't like theirs, if they didn't like me because of that then they aren't my friend in the first place (besides none of them would care anyway). The so what's are all coming out. I love it because I am getting a taste of freedom and I like it. Life is full of change, no matter how much you try to control it, bad things are going to happen, things are going to hurt. But if you are always worried about what is around the corner and what if, what about all the great things that you are missing while worrying or obsessing about? I am praying that G-d will show me how to embrace how real I am. I have been through a lot and that is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, I am a survivor. I now know how to enter into other peoples pain. I don't hide from it, because it isn't fair to let others suffer alone. It isn't just about me, it's about everyone and they need that. I remember when Eli was up at the hospital and after he died, the greatest support I had were those that wrapped their arms around us, cried with us, prayed with us, and just let us say what it was that we needed to say. They didn't try to "fix" things, because they couldn't. They just loved on us. I had a special friend do that for me last night and it really helped. I want to do that for others as well. I have hidden myself for so long because of my pain, but as it says in the bible, there is a time for everything. I will always miss my kids, that will never change. I will have good days and bad days, but I am clinging to the hope that I am releasing the spirit of fear that has so paralyzed me for so long. I am learning to be real, but with love. I have been in a season of mourning and grief (I think that part will always be there) and now it is time for me to learn to dance, to live life in color, to take risks whatever they may bring. I no longer want to live in the shadows of fear, anxiety, self condemnation, and depression. One of the many great things this retreat experience has showed me was how much I long for community. I feel alive when I am with people, especially those who love me for who I am. Seth and I tend to be homebodies, so this is quite an adjustment. I am excited to see what the future brings. I feel like G-d is moving in a big way, all I know is this is all for His Glory. I am no longer the same, I am a new creation in Christ.
I also would like to ask something of you, would you please pray for a family that their 18 month old (Isaac)was just diagnosed with Leukemia last night. They have a 3 year old and a new born that was just born last month. They have a long road ahead of them. Please pray he'd be healed. That his Mom and Dad would have great endurance and energy, that the enemy would have no foot hold on this family. I remember with Eli, you get so drained so quickly and we didn't even have any other living children at that point. If you'd like more info or how to help, let me know. As we said for Eli, watch, pray, believe, and be amazed. Blessings be with you all.
So, I just wrote half of my post and then my stinkin' computer just erased it!! Blast! Nothing like pouring your heart out and then having your words disappear into oblivion. Oh well. Lately I have been doing most of my posts on the family, but today, I'll write about my struggle. Every day brings it's new challenges. Whether it be lack of sleep, the kids not listening, a bill you thought you had payed coming back, etc... What I have been struggling with, has been a life long thing. My relationship with G-d and my faith. I know that He exists, but there are things I desperately want answered. Sometimes I feel like a child that can not be appeased. With every answer that I get answered, is normally followed with another "why?" My life long question is, will I get into Heaven? Even as a young child I remember worrying about this. In Sunday school all the kids would boast with pride "I am going to Heaven!" I would ask them how they knew that and most of the responses would be "because I said so and if I believe it, then I will." Me being the cynical child that I was thought "but isn't that up to G-d? How can I be the one to judge?" This truly tormented me, it still does. As I went through life, I chose to believe, but not in a firm way. Instead more in a, just believe it or else it'll drive me crazy. Then we had Aurora and Elijah. They changed my perspective in realizing how important faith really is. Without my belief in G-d, I wouldn't made it through. In all my sorrow, anguish, and grief, I clung to Him because I realized nothing really mattered in life, but Him. No amount of money, no amount of knowledge, no amount of anything could bring my children back. He gives and He takes away. All my life, I thought I was in control, but in reality, it couldn't have been further from the truth. I am finally going on my first woman's retreat. It's called the Pursuit of Wholeness. I have been wanting to go for some time now, but always found a reason not to go. Lately Isaiah has been bombarding me with questions and he really takes to heart every answer that I give him. Seth and I believe in telling him the truth about everything. We don't dummy things down, we just say it like it is in the most descriptive manner possible. He like me, is a very literal child. We have already approached the subject of death. Unlike most kids, who really aren't faced with an immediate family members death, we do. I have had great families who years ago had a child die and how they dealt with it with their other children. They all said to be honest, to let them know how loved and missed the deceased child is. Also to let the other children love them as well. Believe it or not, they were right. Isaiah is very aware and protective of Rory and Eli. We have had to explain why we go to the Mausoleum and why the kids pictures never change. I now understand the scripture of "...faith like a child.." I sometimes envy the innocence and the trusting natures of little ones. So I am praying that this weekend that I will be "found" in a way that I haven't been. I feel it is very necessary to know what I believe as that will be the foundation in what my childrens faith will be built upon. I desperately want to be one of those women who is so passionate for the Lord that it is obvious just by looking. I often think about the parable of the seeds that are planted in all the different types of soil. Which one would G-d say that I am? I find myself so eager to please all those around me, when in reality I should be focused on pleasing G-d. He is only one who can truly give me what I need. I try and remind myself that life is full of plains, mountains, valleys, rivers, streams, oceans, storms, and even calmness. If I was always on top of the mountain, I suppose I wouldn't grow. I have a feeling this weekend will be a turning point in my life. I try and not think about all of Isaiah's Universe movies in how vast the universe really is, or else I start to doubt, how could G-d really be interested in us when we are but a speck of dust. I have never been an abstract thinker. I don't like looking at paintings of dots or strokes of paint showing the struggle between humanity and machine. Instead, I like looking at paintings of flowers, houses, anything I can identify. Sometimes G-d seems so abstract, where I wish I could understand Him in a more simplistic view. Oh Lord, can't you just knock on my door or send me and email???
I have quite the story to start out with, as I think this will make you laugh. We are starting to realize the difference between our two children. Isaiah, when he was Aria's age, was easily contained. He'd abide by our boundaries, while giving his opinion of what he thought. Aria, on the other hand, thinks that boundaries are meant to be broken, while being sly as she knows she doesn't want to get caught. We have now entered a phase of life that we never encountered with Isaiah, it is called, "the crib break out." Now, many of you who are parents, already know this story well. As for Seth and I, we have had no experience in this field. On Sunday night, we were winding down for the night. Seth was closing up the house, while I had gone up stairs to get ready for bed. Aria, being the little hoodlum that she is, was not falling asleep, so Seth finally put her in her crib and left to finish his tasks. I finally had crawled into bed, as it was quite late, and listened to Aria chatter in her room. I then turned my attention to the TV, as I wanted to relax, when Seth walks into the room and says "are you missing something?" I looked around the room, wondering what in the world had I forgotten. Then Seth turns around and picks up Aria, who is still, chattering away (she reminds me of those monkeys that chatter all the time). I was quite confused, as I wondered why he had gotten her out of the crib. Seth went on to explain that he was in the basement and came up the stairs and into the kitchen to see Aria finishing coming down the steps leading from the top floor. He said she looked quite satisfied with herself, and was wondering where I was (I don't let the kids go down the top floor steps by themselves as they are quite steep) and why I wasn't "laying down the law." Still a little baffled, I am wondering what happened (don't judge me, it was late at night and my brain had shut off early!) and how she got down the stairs, when it occurred to me, "She got out of the crib?" (yes I am pretty bright, er sometimes) By now, Aria had climbed into our bed and made herself cozy next to me, and seemed quite elated that she wasn't having to go to bed. I started to laugh, half because it was funny and half because now we had to be nervous. Mind you, Isaiah NEVER tried to get out of the crib. While we are having a good laugh, Seth went into her room and rigged the crib to go even lower than set for as he is my MacGuyver. He came out a while later and swept Aria into his arms to place her back into the crib. He came back to bed a few moments later and proceeded to make himself comfortable, when you know who shows up, yep Aria. We both just stared at each other and tried not to laugh, as we didn't want her to think it was funny. Seth several times more quietly picks her up and sets her in the crib and walks out (we saw this on Nanny 911 years ago) but each time our little pop tart would climb out and try to get back to me. One time, she startled me so much, Seth said, I'd looked like I had seen a ghost. Now we are in full state of confusion of, what are we in for. Thankfully, we have an Angel care monitor, which for young babies, alerts parents that their child isn't breathing. An added benefit is when they turn into toddlers, it alerts you that they got out of the crib! So we turned on the monitor when it alerted us that she'd gotten out, and off course she is playing in her room by the window. Finally Seth placed her in for the last time, when she realized that we were on to her. She wailed like a criminal that had been caught and was being sent to prison for the rest of her life. After what seemed like forever, she finally fell asleep. I was trying to figure out if this meant nap times would no longer be happening, and yes a bit of panic was setting in. So yesterday, nap time came quickly. I had dreaded it, as I didn't know what to expect. I placed her into her crib and turned on the monitor, went downstairs and waited. Sure enough with in a few minutes, she busted out, and the monitor alerted me with a blaring noise. I swept into the room without a word and picked her up and set her in the crib. She looked at me with bewilderment in her eyes. Almost as if she was thinking "How on earth did you know I had gotten out? You must have eyes all around??" She didn't try it after that and quickly fell asleep while protesting in sobs. So now it looks like it is time to break out the toddler bed (sigh, sniff sniff). That means I no longer have and "babies" in my house, just toddlers. I miss the tiny little diapers, picking them up without grunting because the weigh all of 10 pounds, their little faces full of wonder for any little thing. Yet it's pretty great that now they tell us when they want something or talk in their little chipmunk voices, mimicking every thing we do. Last night, we had our family friend over watching the kids. When she was ready to go, I told Aria to say "thank you Taylor." I just expected her to say thank you when Aria says in her tiny voice. "Bank ooh Tayyor, see you soon!" and then proceeds to blow her a kiss. Both Seth and I about melted into a puddle she was so cute! Isaiah walks up to me and says "Mom and Dad, I missed you sooooooooooo much! Where did you go?" I was shocked as Isaiah rarely seems to miss us, since he loves interacting with people. I proceeded to tell him what we did, and he seemed satisfied that he didn't miss anything, Seth and I just smiled at each other. With all the chaos with kids, you can easily feel over whelmed, but when it gets down to it, it is so worth it. We wouldn't trade a moment for anything. Now, I just have to figure out how to keep Aria in her bed, any suggestions? If it is to confusing to leave a message on the blog, go ahead and leave one on my facebook page. I need all the help I can get!! Hope you found this entertaining!
So another month has passed, and I being the bad blogger that I am, haven't been posting. Several times I had started to write, but then got distracted by something and never completed what I set out to do. So I will give you a review of the past month and play a little catch up. Seth and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. We quietly celebrated the day a day later and were able to go out to dinner (the way to my heart is through my stomach!) without the kids and just enjoy a stroll down memory lane. We really would have liked to go up to Traverse City, but weren't able to this year (BOOO!!!) Hopefully we'll go later in the year, as we find the view so spectacularly calming . Isaiah started his 2nd year at pre-school for 4 year olds. He is doing exceptionally well and has grown leaps and bounds in all aspects of his young life. He really blows me away. He is quite the comic and says such funny things when you least expect it. He loves telling this one particular joke that goes, "what is green and wiggles in your soup? Elvis Parsley!" Only sometimes he says, "I want to tell you a joke." The person will say, "OK." Then Isaiah says. "Elvis Parsley!" and then rolls on the floor with the most contagious laughter you have ever heard. The person will stand there bewildered, and then I have to explain to Isaiah that he gave the answer and not the question. His brain is quite the sponge, he sops up info and seems to put it into action immediately. He still loves space, but now has ventured on to the interests of aquatic creatures, volcanoes, and my favorite, tornadoes (note my sarcasm). We are so pleased to see this, as he is venturing away from space and exploring new things, a great sign for things to come. He definitely is going to be a scientist of some sort as he has a thirst for knowledge. He also is in love with gymnastics. We thought it would be a great place for him to learn how to follow instructions, transitions, exercise, and socialize all at once. He is doing superbly! He makes friends every where he goes and loves to socialize. A year ago, I was without hope and totally consumed by fear of how we were going to deal with him and now he is better than I could have dreamed! Early intervention has been key and by the grace of G-d, he is improving each moment. Speaking of growth, Seth went on a all male church retreat in the UP focusing on the Wild at Heart book. It was quite tumultuous for me, as we have only been separated a couple of times and it really played on my anxiety. We've been through a lot, and we know that you can never take one day for granted. It's hard as you can tend to look on the side of worry, more than enjoyment. We were told they wouldn't be able to call, as there is no cell phone reception up there. I was so worried, as I wasn't able to know if they had arrived safely or not. Here we have hardly been apart and then I can't even call?! Argh! Needless to say, I felt like a shell of a woman. I was able to do the basics with the kids, but I couldn't help but obsess if he was okay. I prayed and prayed for a miracle, but felt nothing. The next day I was barely could focus when the phone rang. It was Seth! I felt the light of Heaven open up on me as I heard his voice. I sobbed. I know this all seems very dramatic, but if you know how close we are, you'd understand. It takes a lot for me to cry, my first instinct is to get angry, not sad, when difficult things happen. It really was a G-d thing that he was able to get reception up there, there was no other explanation. I then got to have my sister in law and dear friend who is like a sister, keep me company. It really was a growth experience for me and I am grateful (not to say I'd be eager to do it again). Seth had a wonderful time and came back an even better man, if that was possible. I couldn't stop hugging him. Well, enough of the gushy mushy stuff. Aria has fully embraced being 2. She is all about breaking boundaries, screeching, and yes, throwing herself on the floor for every little thing. She loves to sing anything and everything, especially the lead song to Veggietales. She seems to be a girly girl, who loves shoes, hats, jewelry, purses, and pretending to be a mom. She also has a tom boy side. Today, Isaiah was telling her off about how rude it is to take things from other people when, I kid you not, she clothes-lined him. She took him down and tried to even bite him! I could not believe what I was seeing. She ended up having 1/2 hour in time out, until she calmed down. She also loves digging in thedirt and doing anything that gets her adrenaline pumping(a girl after he Daddy's heart) Today I was getting Isaiah on the bus while she was playing in the back yard (it's fenced in) when low and behold what do I find? Aria sitting in the compost pile. Thankfully there wasn't anything rotting in there, but still, ewwwwwwwwwww. All in a days work I suppose. Sometimes I imagine G-d saying, "Hmmm, how's this going to challenge Kelly today??" Gotta say, I am doing much better. Elijah's birthday was on last Thursday. He would have been 6. I was able to spend the night amongst dear friends who shared my pain while preparing for the "Walk to Remember." I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend the night, except for if he was still here. I didn't have to pretend how I was feeling, I just got to be how I felt. It was so comforting to just be in the moment. Seth had planned on going out to the Mausoleum to play is cello for them. Graceland echos so wonderfully, that I just thought it was perfectly fitting. He still hasn't been able to go as he is trying to practice to make it just right. We ended up watching his movies and the kids were memorized. They really embrace things in such a beautiful way, that it makes it easy. Now I understand when people say "with a child's heart." It was so nice to see Eli and hear how silly we were with him. I could almost smell his vanilla cookie smell. It hurt to watch, but in a good way. I have been avoiding it, as sometimes it's almost to painful to bear. I'm glad the kids love to watch him as it really connects us all together and it became a joyful thing, just what I had hoped for. The Walk turned out wonderfully. Sadly, every year it gets bigger. But in a good way, it's opening up room for people to safely be able to talk about their losses and be supported. It was an honor to be able to speak on the panel this year and quite healing for us, to help others in the only way we know how. We also got to have a heart to heart talk with a couple in our lives that mean so much to us. We ended up having an awesome experience of healing. All in all, the month of September has brought huge changes in our lives. I can't explain it, but it's for the better. I pray October will be a month of great peace as I will be going on my first women's retreat. I am ecstatic to see what G-d is going to bring out, as that is what each day is about, living for Him. While I am human and make mistakes every moment, I can't help but see the beauty in it. Without mistakes, without change, without stepping beyond yourself,you can't grow. We need to grow in order to come into G-d's fullness. Each day I learn something new, sometimes it's painful and sometimes it's exciting, but it's all good. It's all good....
I think I might be able to type for a little bit, so let's give it a try. Aria had her birthday on the 19th and turned the big 2. For any of you who are parents, you know that each birthday ends up being a reflection on the years past. As I look at my 2 year old, who now resembles more a of a little girl than a baby, I can't help but think about how far we've come. I remember talking to Seth about having another child. It's hard being in our situation, as we are not asked when we are going to have another child. I can't count how many times I have heard people ask couples "when are you going to have another one?" So full of joy and excitement. That doesn't happen with us. Sometimes I wish we had never told anyone about my genetic syndrome. It makes me feel like damaged goods, worse, that Aurora and Elijah were as well. Sometimes with the improvement of science becomes a greater need to create the perfect "normal." Some might say, they can't handle watching us be sad again, or that they worry. I understand what they are saying, but every day that we get in a car, we are running a risk. Everything we do is a risk. If we don't take risks, we never know what it feels like to truly succeed. Isn't a reward for something that you worked for so much better than something that was just given? Well, with that, Seth and I have had to rely on G-d instead of peoples input. We prayed and prayed, and G-d answered clearly. I have never been a big believer of people who say "G-d told me to ..." I find myself thinking, yeah it was G-d that told you, hmmm. But after diligently praying, He answered. Seth and I both had a vision of a little girl with dark hair. All of our kids have been blond, so this was quite a stretch. We prayed some more, just to be sure. He never changed His mind, G-d kept true to his promise. So 2 years before out came Aria with dark brown hair. Seth and I stared in shock and awe. The only thing we could think was "we weren't crazy!" Aria was a dream come true. She was easy going, full of smiles, and everything you could want in a baby girl. From day one, I put bows in her hair. Every day I do her hair in as many different ways as I can imagine, without her looking silly. She actually loves her toes to be painted and holds real still. Any time I do my makeup, she sits with me and copies me (except for the time she took a bite out of my lipstick) and looking on with sheer excitement. She loves playing dolls and is holding true to her name Aria, our child of music that Blossom's more and more each day.
At the same time, she has her Mama's spunk and stubbornness. If you get in her way, she will take you out! My sweet little baby girl has now turned into a kung foo kicking, banshee screaming, arms and legs flailing, two year old. I have found if you look at her the wrong way, she will sob and swing her arms violently while I stand there is sheer confusion of "what just happened?" We have started time outs and Lord Almighty, Heaven and Earth can hear the screams of her scolding us in her baby babble of how unfair the world is. But then the next minute she has her arms and legs wrapped tightly around my body while saying "mmmmmmm" in my ear. I told Seth that if this is even a teeny bit of what it is going to be like when she is a teenager, I am afraid! Well, my sweet baby is just vocalizing her opinion, just like her mama, can't fault her for that. On her birthday we had a small tea party with my parents and great grand parents. My parents brought over some fancy tea settings while we served blueberry tea and had cookies on my Grandma Bar's tea set platter. I made little finger sandwiches consisting of tuna salad and our favorite, olive nut. We all wore silly party hats and it was low key and lovely. I was going to post pictures, but our computer has had some issues, but I'll get them on when I can. I can't help but look at Aria and wonder what Aurora would have been like. Would they look and act similar or would they be polar opposites? I don't know what it is out your kids growing out of that baby stage that makes you get bitten by the baby bug. Seth and I have been discussing having another, whether it really is an option or not. What is it about summer that brings out that feeling. Being that we belong to such a large church, you can't help but smile at the Moms snuggling their newborns in their slings. Seth and I nudge each other and smile, only to see Aria throw herself on the ground, flopping like a fish out of water, because she wanted to go left not right. Hmmm, maybe we need to think about this some more (tee hee!) Aria has now left the baby section of clothing, she is no longer considered a baby, but instead a toddler. So long 24 months matchy cutsie clothing, and hello 2T, teeny bopper wannabee clothes (can you hear me sighing?) I must say it's been pretty awesome see her going from learning to talk to singing, scooting to running, building to now nurturing her dolls. Soon we will be playing Barbies and House, but each day will be a new day of girly excitement. Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little girl at play? I don't remember growing older, when did she?
