My Babies Are Growing Up

They will always, always be my babies, but in reality they are no longer my little babies. Layla turned THREE and Connor turned FOUR this past weekend!! There are days when Charlie and I feel like they have been here forever and days when we feel like they were just born. It is truly amazing to watch them turn into the little people they are and will become. Their personalities are so vibrant and so different. It also amazes me how 2 children so close in age, same parents, same household can be so very different. I think that’s one of the things I love about them most, their uniqueness (and of course the simple fact that they are my children and I gave birth to them) . However, one trait they both have that shines through even at their young age, is their compassion for others and each other. It melts my heart beyond anything else in this world. I have already seen Connor very assertively stand up for his sister when someone made her cry, any and every time Connor gets hurt, Layla rushes to get Connor’s blankie “to make him feel better” or rubs his back, Connor helps her when she can’t figure something out or tries (sometimes unsuccessfully) to teach her, I could go on and on. Having 2 kids back to back has been the greatest challenge of our lives, but also the greatest joy beyond anything we could have ever imagined and seeing these precious moments make any of those challenges melt away. I love them beyond words.

Now, we usually have their party right on their birthday (or the weekend closest) but this year (due to a number of reasons) their big bday bash will be 2 weeks after their birthday. And I must say, I kind of like it this way. I am usually neurotically running around, creating, prepping, cleaning, cooking, etc for the party and I don’t get to really enjoy their actual day or our anniversary. It’s just too much crammed into a small window of time. This year it was perfect and perfectly relaxed! Each child got their own special bday dinner of choice: Connors was pepperoni pizza and carrots and Layla’s was chicken fingers, french fries and strawberries. They also got sprinkle cupcakes (Connor’s fave) and ice cream (Layla’s fave). And on Saturday they got their big gift from the grandparents/Mommy and Daddy: a 2 seated John Deere Gator Tractor, with a back trailer. They are in heaven! Since being given the tractor they have come in only to: sleep, eat and watch a movie. Best gift ever!

Mommy and Daddy got their own special night too. We have rarely celebrated our anniversary, and it was really nice to be relaxed and get to celebrate! We went and ate oysters and calamari and watched the (sad) gator basketball game, then went to a good friends dance performance (she choreographed and danced in it) at FSU, then joined the cast/crew of the dance production for their big “last night of show” reception. It was the perfect mix of fun on our anniversary night. Couldn’t have asked for a better weekend of celebration. Next up….the big birthday bash!! Its going to be.... The Greatest Show on Earth! :)

Does it get any cuter than that!?!?

A little after work/school fun with Daddy!

My sweet boy trying to figure out all his letters and numbers!

Connor creates these scenes with his various army men/knights all the time and now salutes us when hes done! My sweet boy

Connor in his birthday cape!

Birthday cupcake!!

She adorned herself with the jewles all on her own!

Layla's new bff...she loves her ballerina friend from Auntie Jan. I have got to get this girl in a dance class!

Layla has also fallen in love with her babies. She is quite the little Mommy.

She even reads and sings to them.

Hope Grandma doesn't mind me posting this. Layla and Connor got these capes for their bday. It was a HIT with Layla...and Grandma! :) They stood in front of the fan "flying" in their capes!! Absolutely hilarious!

Bithday cupcake time!

First spin on the TRACTOR!!

Layla's first spin...notice her face!! :)

The next 3 are just one of the many "photo shoots" we do with Connor these days. Just 6 months ago Connor would cower anytime a camera came out. Now he full blown poses...EVERY time!! Sooo handsome! :)

Fun, fun and more fun with Daddy this past weekend while taking a tractor break. Doesn't get much better than this!!

"Wow! Look how high Daddy threw that ball!!"

Hahaha...Daddy's beat!! Love my 3.....they will ALWAYS, always be my babies!!