Another year...

This last week was quite busy for our little family.  First, Brian, our oldest, turned 5 on March 8. We celebrated with a big family party on the 9th and then took him bowling on the 10th. Watching Brian's journey from tiny baby to 5 has been pretty remarkable. It's hard to believe sometimes that he is only 5, and at other times that he's already 5. It's hard to remember what life was like without him, but time has also just flown by. I think back on big events in his life and realize that what seems like yesterday was really 2 or 3 years ago...or more. He is now an articulate, thoughtful, goofy, wild, loud, curious, smart little boy. He'll be heading off to Kindergarten in the Fall and I'm not sure I'm ready for that, although I know he is. He is tough, and smart, and also incredibly thoughtful and sensitive and sweet. I pray that he keeps his tenderness and his sweetness, through all the roughness of school and life. He is growing into a wonderful little man, and it really is my privilege and my joy to be part of his journey.

Second, today (March 16) is Teddy's birthday. He turned 1, and I am having a hard time dealing with it. I think I've been in a bit of denial all day. My little baby, who a year ago at this time was just about 34 minutes from making his debut (it is 9:15), is now 1. We were still waiting to meet him and find out who he was and what kind of person he was going to be. A year in and we know that he is sweet, snuggly, funny, opinionated, shy, loving, and tiny. He is my little peanut, which I think makes it harder to believe that he is already 1. It's hard to believe that it has been a year since I was in labor, a year since he came into the world. I remember all the anticipation, all the frustration with false labor and braxton hicks contractions. The hope that this time was THE time, and the disappointment when it wasn't. And the final, slightly dramatic entrance of my second son into the world. And the discovery that from the minute he was born he was not the same at all as his older brother. They were similar in looks, but it ended there. Where Brian was alert, and curious, and go-go-go from the second he was born, his Teddy was sleepy, and mostly wanted to just snuggle and sleep. He had the most concerned look on his face right after birth. Not angry, but just kind of worried. And he has been more of a worrier, and less secure, and less open to new things and people, but has always, always been snuggly, and sweet.

So here's to another fun, and crazy, and frustrating, and wonderful year watching my boys grow.