A Few Things I'm Really Going to Miss

Every now and then I get to thinking how things will be different when my kids are a little older. Like I might be able to sleep for the entire night without being awoken (something that has only happened a few times in well over a year). Or get through a meal without any screaming or banging on the table or having to retrieve a milk cup that was thrown on the floor. Or going out for a family activity in the morning and not having a rush against the clock to get home in time for nap. It will be nice when these types of things are no longer a part of the day.

But both of my girls had their birthdays recently and with that came the realization they really are a whole year older. I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone! And I really got to thinking that there are lots of things I'm going to miss about their current ages.

A few things I'm really going to miss about my just turned 3 year old...

1. The way she tells jokes which are often just gibberish or funny sounds or telling me the different foods a monkey ate that day. No, it doesn't make sense - but we all laugh hysterically every time. 

2. The excited look she gets on her face when she realizes she just learned something new; like how to take off her shirt or what sound a "P" makes.

3. When we're getting ready in the morning or before bed and she tells me she just wants one more hug. Even though I know it's a delay tactic, I just love the cuddles. 

4. The way she says grown-up things to me like, "You'll feel better soon" or "I have a surprise for you" and to her sister, "Do you want me to read you a book? I thought you might."

5. Her sweet and adorable little voice singing lullabies. 

6. That excited look she gets on her face when she learns she gets to have a special treat after dinner. And we've seen that a lot recently with Halloween immediately following her birthday. 

7. How she asks me to cuddle with her under a blanket on the couch and read book after book.

And  a few things I'm really going to miss about my just turned 1 year old...

1. How all of a sudden she will stop playing and lean over and give me a huge, slobbery kiss. 

2. When she laughs, the way she scrunches up her nose and then gives the biggest 8 tooth smile you can possibly imagine. 

3. How soft her skin and hair are. 

4. After nap and before bed the way she vigorously signs for milk and then laughs as it's coming. 

5. The way she flaps her arms like she's getting ready for take-off when something excites her.

6. The way she waits for her big sister to wake up from her nap. She's the first to greet her and gives her a hug and kiss every time. 

7. Her dancing. The care-free and adorable dancing the moment any music comes on. 

And the last one is something they both do and the best part of being a working mom:

The way they both run to me with huge grins and bigger hugs the moment I walk through the door at their day care.

Although I may continue to fantasize about a time when I get a full night's sleep I know that these years are short. And these moments will be gone far too soon and I'm really going to miss them.