A little man at 18 months

Dear Little Man,

You are 18-months old today! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Last night I was really getting on to you for throwing your food on the floor. I made you pick up every piece and put it back on your plate. I was trying to be so stern with you, but you kept looking at me with your big blue eyes and I just wanted to give you a big hug and a kiss. You are strong, physically and mentally, and I know you're going to keep me on my toes. You bring so much joy into our lives. Here are some of the things I want to remember about you at 18 months:

• You go to sleep most nights about 7:30 and you wake up around 7 a.m. (actually you wake up around 5 a.m., but we give you a cup of milk and you play for a bit and go back to sleep). Usually you are so tired at night from playing all day long that you go right to sleep. 
• You are so, so strong. The other day you pulled a cable outlet completely out of the wall behind your crib. You love to climb stairs and play, play, play outside.
• You are starting to talk more all the time. You call Alli "Ya-ya." Other words you say are "Momma, dada, ball, bubble, and book." I'm sure there are lots of other words you're trying to say. We're learning your language :)
• You don't care much for television or videos. Sometimes you'll watch for a few minutes, but you'd rather be playing.
• You eat most things now. You love fresh fruit, peas, chicken, hot dogs. We haven't really found much you don't like at this age.
• You love your sister. You like follow her around and play with whatever toy she has. She loves you too. The other night we were at Chik-fil-A and it was so sweet to hear her taking care of you in the play area. 

Little man, it's not an exaggeration to say my heart bursts with love for you. I can't even contain it all. We love you, little man!

Fro-yo with Momma

Moving upstairs

A little over three years ago, I walked down a long hallway at church and dropped my baby off for the first time in the nursery. A few months later, I left her for the first time with people I didn't know at her little preschool. It was hard, but each step of the way God has provided amazing teachers for her who have loved her and have seen in her all the amazing things we see. 

This morning at church, Kate moved to a new class, upstairs. Tomorrow morning at school, she moves to a new class, upstairs. I don't know why, but this just feels like a big step. Like everyone else in her life is seeing what I see, that she's not a baby anymore. Not even a toddler. She's a little girl. 

She rationalizes. She takes care of her little brother. Tonight in the bathtub we had a conversation about compassion. She wants to wear pink shoes and a dress to school because that's what the other little girls wear. 

I can't lie, I'm not ready to let go of the baby years yet. I miss her chubby little cheeks and fingers. But I'm already seeing the amazing plans God has for her life unfold and I can't wait to see what He has in store. So let's do this, God. Let's go upstairs. 

Kate with her little friend Isabella (left) when they were two. They're still in the same class and still great buds!

*Update*

Here they are this morning! Big girl and boy heading upstairs to their new classes.