Wednesday Of A Few Words

Sarah's dance class had Parent's Night. Just before their performance, I looked down and Rylee was sitting right next to Sarah's friend, Lylah. During Sarah's dance, ALL eyes were on her. And, by ALL eyes, I mean mine and Brian's. As soon as the dance was over, I started looking around. "Where is Rylee???" I ask Brian. He says, "I don't know. I thought she was with you." PANIC sets in. So, I start frantically searching for my 21 month old who seems to have disappeared in a sea of tutu's. Just then, right through the door that Brian had been standing in front of the entire time, Rylee walks through, holding a cookie, and smiling mischievously. In the 2 minutes that no one was watching her, she got up, went to the next room where all the refreshments were, and had her own personal intermission. As nervous as I had been, I had to laugh! That girl keeps me more on my toes than any of the little ballerinas we saw that night.

25 Things About Motherhood That Make Me Smile: Christmas Edition

1. The drive home on Christmas Eve with both girls sleeping in the backseat.
2. Reading What is Christmas? to them when I put them to bed.

3. Putting out gifts from Santa in certain spots in the living room.

4. Making cookies for Santa. This didn't get done this year. Santa got store bought oatmeal cookies and a Little Debbie Christmas Tree cake with a tall glass of milk.

5. Leaving crumbs on the plate and a little milk in the glass.

6. Writing a letter to Sarah and Rylee from Santa.

7. Waking up hours before they do, too excited about Christmas morning.

8. The looks on their faces when they realize Santa came to their house.

9. Playing in the snow-snow angels, snowman, snowballs!

10. Watching Sarah "play" her violin like she is the Concert Master of the Symphony.

11. Watching Rylee roll in laughter when she tickles Elmo and he laughs. Just like Sarah did 3 Christmases ago.

12. The NOISE!

13. The MESS!

14. The JOY!

15. Waiting (impatiently) for Gigi and PopPop.

16. Sarah's reaction when she opened her salon.

17. Sarah "painting" PopPop's fingernails.

18. Settling in for the evening to watch Toy Story 3 together.

19. Sarah laying on Gigi's lap during the movie.

20. Rylee falling asleep in her Daddy's arms during the movie.

21. Me crying at the end of the movie like the dork that I am.

22. Uninterrupted, quality family time.

23. Getting to feel like a kid again on Christmas morning- only better, because of my husband and daughters.

24. Sarah saying that she can't wait until next year.

25. Me saying, "Neither can I" and meaning it.

Wednesday Of A Few Words II

Rylee Anne. My precious second born. Almost 2 years old. The Class Clown. You are so funny and beautiful. God knew just what He was doing when gave you to us. You are cuddly and warm. You love to give hugs, mostly to me, but sometimes you will hug others and let them feel just a fraction of what I feel with you everyday. Unconditional love. We are still learning together who you will be. But, I know that you will make a mark on this world. Compassionate and caring one. You bring joy with you everywhere you go. I cherish every second with you. So blessed to have you in my life.

Love, Mommy

Transitions

Right now, I am watching my spunky not-quite-2-years old Rylee Anne "cook" something in the toy kitchen. She is so bright and imaginative. She learns a new word everyday. Yesterday she learned to say, "UP!" while raising both arms to the sky. She also learned the word "Mine". I was wondering how long it would take for that one to creep up. It is incredible to me how much she has changed just in the past 3 months. She is looking and acting less and less like a baby and more and more like a big girl. It makes me sad...it makes me happy.

I have been really reflecting on this for a day or two, because we are about to transition her from the crib into a big girl bed. She will be sharing the bedroom with her sister. She seems so tiny in that huge twin sized bed. I'm not too excited about having to put her back in the bed a hundred times a night for the next week or so. I am, however, looking forward to tucking them in at the same time and sitting in between the two beds for story time every night. I'm looking forward to hearing the giggles and chattering of sisters awake past bedtime. And, I will definitely have my camera ready for the morning I go in to find them snuggled together in one bed. I have a feeling that will happen often. They are both snugglers.

The main thing upsetting me about moving Rylee to a big bed is that the crib is going to be...empty.