AVA TURNS 9!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, sweet Ava Marie. I can't believe you are 9 today -- it seems like just days ago I was holding you in my arms, rocking you and staring at you in disbelief as you were our very first baby.

Mom and Dad are so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished with dance and school this year. We love you to pieces, Ava Marie Shelton. You are such a loving and caring sister, friend and daughter. Never, ever change.

GROWING

My baby boy is growing up, and it makes me happy, excited, and sad all at the same time.


So very many emotions....

I am happy as it is so fun to see him grow, learn new things, and change from a baby into a toddler. I am excited as soon I will not have to deal with early morning wake up calls, poopy diapers, splashing around in toilets, and the whole getting into everything stage. And at the same time I am sad about there being no more early morning wake up calls, poopy diapers, splashing around in toilets and the getting into everything stage. I am sad that this is the last time I will see that first smile, that first step, hear "mama" for the first time. All those "firsts".

This is our last baby. For absolutely sure this time - couldn't even happen if we wanted it to. And believe me, there have been a few moments of temporary insanity where I have said, "I sure wish we could have one more." But like I said, we can't [by our own doing - ahem- snip- snip] and this o.k.

It is time to start a new chapter in our lives. I take comfort in the fact that we will be happy, excited and sad about many other stages in our children's lives, so I won't be missing out on any of these emotions. It will just be different kinds of happy, excited and sad. And I look forward to it all.