Moments

The days and moments keep passing and I can't make them stop!  I feel like I'm getting old and it's harder to remember everything and it makes me sad.  I want to remember every little cute expression on my kids' faces or funny things they say.  I want to remember how it feels to be our little family right now.  Since time will inevitably keep marching on, I'm trying to enjoy and memorize all the moments I can.

Our tiny, precious Juliet is crawling and babbling and eating food and pulling herself up.  I love the stage she is in so much and I want to just pause it!  She brings me so much joy... sometimes I can hardly believe I get to be her mother.  Now that she can crawl (a real crawl!), she follows me around and then sits on my feet, looks up at me, and laughs.  She smiles so easily and is so content with such simple things.  My favorite is after the other 2 kiddos are in bed and she has us all to herself for a while.  We lie on the floor with her and she belly-laughs when we tickle her and talk to her.  I can't imagine anything better.

I know this is fuzzy, but I love it!

Our spunky sweetheart, Lilah girl... she is 3!  I can't say 3 is my favorite age, since it comes with tantrums when things don't go her way (because she knows Exactly how she wants everything).  But regardless, she is sensitive, tender, loving, perceptive, and so enthusiastic about Everything she does.  Yesterday, we were waiting in a long line at the grocery store.  Lilah was completely happy entertaining herself singing "Frozen" songs very loudly in the cart.  The woman in front of us thanked Lilah afterward for making her wait much more enjoyable.  I am always so proud of her, especially when she notices someone's feelings and tries to help.  She is our sweetheart.

Before her first ballet class!  Soooo excited!

Lilah said, "Mommy, she's doing the splits!"

And oh, Ethie... Our boy is so complicated and so full of life that sometimes it's hard for me to understand him and keep up with him.  James and he have developed a special relationship and I love watching them working together.  He has spent the last couple of Saturdays working up a sweat helping James expand the garden and do home-repairs.  When he is motivated, he can do amazing things!  He is also THE gentlest big brother to Juliet.  He hates to hear her cry and will make her laugh or bring her to me.  He and Lilah fight and tease, but they adore each other and can't stay apart.  There have been many times lately when I am filled with affection and appreciation for the person Ethan is.  He has so many gifts and I hope he knows how much I love him, even as we struggle together.

He got her to sleep when she was teething and sad... LOVE

I love these moments.