It's an amazing thing...

It's an amazing thing to watch your children grow up.

To know that one night you put them to bed in their crib without even realizing it will be the last night you ever do it that way again for the rest of their life and yours.

The very next night they crawl right into bed themselves.  The sense of pride, of accomplishment beaming from their face.

That small step sets in motion one thing after the next...

The same week we are heading to the grocery store.  As we are parking I can sense that Clark is unhappy in his car seat and would do better if I could put in the front of the cart where Claire usually sits so he can see me while I shop.  Claire is restless and doesn't want to sit still in the cart.  It's time to let her push her own cart.  Again, the pride, the sense of accomplishment overwhelms her.

Throughout the week she begins to change in the way she speaks, the way she interacts, her humor progresses to the point where her jokes are truly funny...not just "kid" funny, but really funny.  She is silly, sneaky and her expressions are years beyond her age.

Suddenly her interactions with Clark are more intentional, more nurturing.  She is saying, "Oh Clarky, we don't pull hair, silly boy."  in place of "Mama- OUCH, Clark is pulling my HAIR!!!"

It was time to leave the house today and before I could even finish telling her it was time to go she replied, "Yes Mommy! Let me put my toys away and get my shoes on!"  WOW, okay!  I was speechless.

Some days, some weeks it all comes together.  Others days, other weeks, it can be an endless challenge.  But on days and weeks like this one I can see it is sinking in.  She is listening, she is learning, what we are doing is working.  And by golly, she is growing.  I looked at her on the video monitor tonight before going to sleep and saw that her blanket was off and her head was nearing the edge of the mattress. I stepped into her dark room and was overwhelmed with memories of coming to her side as a little baby, in the middle of the night, for those endless wakings.  But now, she's so big.  I sat next to her and listened to her breathe, smelled her hair and kissed her face.  I pulled up her blanket and scooted her to the middle of her bed and held back tears as I felt what a big girl she has become.  I know it happens over time, but some days it all catches up and it feels like the blink of an eye.

I try so hard to soak up every minute.  To hold onto it and never let it go far enough away to forget what it feels like.  These are the years I have looked forward to forever and ever and it pains me to know they are the years I will also look back on and long to live again, just one more day, just one more baby hug, just one more toddler squeeze.  My heart swells with love for them.  This is my dream come true.  It goes so, so fast.  I am beyond thankful to be their mom and to spend my days with them.  There is no where else I'd rather be.  At times I grow tired and I even complain about how hard it is to do little things, but when it all comes down to it I would not trade this for anything in the world, never ever.  This is my most treasured time and  I am forever thankful and grateful for this stage in life.

More pics and posts to follow of Claire sleeping  in her big girl bed and pushing her own cart at the grocery store soon! :)  No time to upload and edit pics tonight.