I was sitting in the living room. They were at the kitchen table, drawing, and talking about their favorite colors. They were encouraging and complimenting each other. They were laughing. I was frozen, afraid to move, because I didn't want to interrupt their moment.
Sometimes I lament that my babies aren't babies anymore and hate the (crazy fast) passing of time. Then I stumble upon something like this and feel overwhelmed with gratitude for where we are...an almost-4 and almost-5 year-old that love each other, make each other laugh and have spent almost every waking moment with each other for the past 4 years. Yes, there are tears and fights and screams but there are way more laughs and conversations and cooperative play these days.
Sure I miss some parts about the baby years--but it's a romanticized view of that time. While I long for certain things (unlimited cuddles) there are other parts that I don't miss at all (extreme lack of sleep). Then, if I'm not looking back, missing the past, I'm wishing for the next phase, trying to jump ahead in time, typically due to wanting something "bad" to end (ie: the threenager stage) or thinking about the things we can do "soon."
And I forget to enjoy the moment. To appreciate exactly where we are--crazy threenager and all.
I'm the first to admit that with kindergarten right around the corner for E (and then next year, for B), that there will be posts about grieving for the baby years. It's only natural to miss those times that have passed, but I promise to try to remember how good it is now...most of the time.
This picture was taken just a few minutes before a glass of spilled juice caused a lot of tears.
Enjoy wherever you are in your journey and grab those small moments and cherish them. You never know when they'll end.
Especially if there are glasses of liquid around ready to be bumped.
xo Sara