"Study their little faces and feet.
Enjoy today, Mama. It will be gone before you know it."
So it's that time again. Mushy mom moments everywhere lately!
My baby girl turns five next week. Five. It makes me tear up just thinking about it. She's my baby girl. She's taught me what being a mama to a girl is all about. She's shown me a whole other side to motherhood. I swore when she was born, I wouldn't over do on the frills and pink. And we most likely wouldn't get into princesses. Mainly because I did not want my little girl sitting back, getting waited on, and just thinking she rules the place. I just thought I wanted her to think more about herself than pretty hair and dresses. Well...it took about 2 months (I actually remember the moment) before I put a big hair bow on her and thought...oh, this is fun! And boy is it. Hair bows, dress up, shoes...it's all so fun!! And, it was a dear friend of mine, several years ago that had a princess party for her girls that really brought on the princess side. While we were there, she read sweet stories and linked the princesses to biblical virtues and kindheartedness, etc. I don't remember the specifics of what was read, but it clicked. My girl was already soooo into dressing up and all things sparkly and pink. She IS a princess. She is a princess of The King of Kings. Girls are a different kind of creature...trust me, I am one! ;) They need to know they are loved and not loved because they are beautiful (although it doesn't hurt to tell them that) but loved because of their kindness towards others, their loving heart, their responsible nature. And so, it is those things that we focus on with our little princess...and a pretty dress just fits the part! It's been a fun experience to really see her heart growing and maturing. And it's also a cool thing to see her Daddy's heart melt every time she walks in the room. Oh what special memories she will have of him when she's all grown up. I think daddy's have a special place in the hearts of their little girls, and it just so happens, her daddy was up for raising a princess! ;) before she is loved by anyone else in this life, she was first loved by her daddy. And for that, my heart is so full. <3 She's a lover of life, defines innocence, makes friends wherever she goes and her gentle heart is super sensitive. She's learning to read, continuing to work hard at gymnastics, and eagerly anticipating her birthday! :) She literally counts down days for the entire year. I used to be so excited for birthdays as well, so I understand! It's just a fun day! :) Such a precious little one.
My big boy is maturing. Something happened. He hit 6.5 years old and all of a sudden he's become a big kid. A responsible, mature, big kid. Don't get me wrong, I know THE moments will still come, but there has been such a change in him the last few months. He seems to be "getting it". I can remember through each rough phase asking myself when it would happen. When would he realize the things we are trying to teach him? When would he WANT to help? When would he take responsibility and do things without being asked? When would I get a glimpse of the big boy he will be. Not wanting to change him, just wondering why he made his life so difficult sometimes. He's always been a very (VERY) strong willed child. A good kid, but a strong willed one for sure! If there's a proposed consequence, he will complete the action just to be sure you will do what you said. Some kids just take your word for it...Grayson, on the other hand, he's the one that takes it to the next level. I think it's a security thing for him. He wants to know that you will be there, and do what you said. There's actually a sense of security in the discipline and the reward. As I caught a glimpse of him unpacking his bag, after returning home from his grandparents for the weekend, and neatly putting everything in it's place...without being asked, my eyes immediately filled with tears. It seems like such a small, insignificant thing, but for me, it wasn't. It was huge. I could see it. He's becoming a kid. I have to buy big kid clothes and shoes. He's doing all his own self care. His "big kid" toys all fit in a bin under his bed...aside from his Legos, of course. He reads books. He does school without a fuss, most days. He's grown. In the middle of my wondering when he would, he did. He's my leader. He's a boy of incredible faith and big ideas. I'm so thankful to have witnessed each and every milestone up to today, and can't wait to witness many more! I can only imagine what's in store for this kid. He wants to fly to the moon and teach people about Jesus...and one day, he just might teach people about Jesus, from the moon! ;) I know, without a doubt, that the bossiness will come around again. The defiance is not gone forever and that the growing pains are over, but we survived another one, and will survive the ones to come. And each time, he comes out a little bigger, a little more mature, and a little closer to a "big kid". So, here I am, in what I would call my first "season" of motherhood with a "kid". Yes, I still have my toddler season open and my preschool season open, but now, in the last couple months, a whole new season is here. I am so thankful for it. What a wonderful boy God sent to pave the way for his siblings. He's the one to break me in! ;)
And then there's my blonde haired, blue eyed baby of the bunch! ;) He's the ultimate mess maker! He loves food and alone time...wonder who he gets that from...;) He's recently gotten into books and tea parties. He will spend an enormous amount of time building with Lego blocks and coloring! Occasionally the terrible two's make an appearance, nap times and night times have their moments of protest, but for the most part he's an easy going, compliant little one. He's constantly jabbering, most of which makes sense now, which is so fun. He's still Daddy's boy, but appeases Mommy with a greeting from time to time. ;) He loves to play outside..and we can not wait for Spring!! :) For this quiet, wise baby boy, who makes my heart skip a beat, I am so thankful.
So there it is, my babies keep growing despite my greatest efforts to slow them down! ;) So I study them, in an effort to preserve the memories and keep each and every little detail in my mind, I study them. They are one another's best friend and they teach me every day. Life lessons I can't learn anywhere else.
