Today, I was looking through some old photos for a class project—Max's teacher is putting together a timeline of events in the kids' lives, to help them understand the passage of time—and I got all melancholy looking at Max's baby photos. I stared and stared at this one, and ached to go back in time and hold that chubster again. I did not appreciate Max's yumminess as much as I could have, because I was so caught up in my fears about his future. Would he walk? Would he talk? What would he be able to do?
I laughed when I saw this photo of Sabrina, at two and a half, because it is so hard to imagine she once let me dress her in getups like that. I obviously didn't worry about her the way I did about Max, but still, I feel like her toddlerhood passed all too quickly. I was caught up in a whirlwind of work and chores and a neverending to-do list.
I also found photos from our first trip to Disney Word two years ago. It is mind-boggling how much the kids have grown and changed since then.
As we head off tomorrow to Disney World for the second time, I am excited. For the fun, for the adventure, and because there is still plenty of cuteness left to savor.
I have some good stuff lined up for next week, including a really helpful (and moving) guest post by a mom who had to make some hard decisions planning for her son's future, a q & a with an inspiring twentysomething woman with cerebral palsy, and a roundup of great activities and printouts for kids I've recently found online. I tried to get Sabrina to do a guest post, but she refused, then told me to call her agent. George Clooney was also unavailable. Speaking of free, the winners of The Jimmies giveaway are Jennifer Thayer (DVD) and Mo and and Somer (CDs). I hope you and your kids enjoy!
Take care, everyone. And moms of little kids, promise me you'll try to worry less and savor your kids' cuteness more. Deal?
I agree! Your kiddos are too adorable!
ReplyDeleteDeal! I was just thinking about everything that needs to get done today!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!
Ok I promise to savor the cuteness! Have a great trip!! I wanna come next time!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful trip -- hope the weather is great, and that there are plenty of good memories :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen, it's such a great reminder to stay present...Have a wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteThe cuteness is what keeps them out of trouble most days! :)
ReplyDeleteSave and glorious travels!
Have a wonderful and safe trip!
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures of your wee-ones. Someone told me that when Sam was born - "Don't forget to just enjoy him!" Am off to do just that.
You're absolutely right, Ellen. Don't even get me started.
ReplyDeleteMine are 14, 13, and 8 now...and I think of all the fretting and worry. I didn't know.
I often sit and wish I could have a day back then, when I didn't sit and listen to them breathe, all freaked out about the asthma...I couldn't relaxed a lot more, and I didn't. You mourn them, and they're still here, right with you.
I don't even want to think about myself when the oldest leaves for college, a total basket case...I;ll be a total basket case, I see that.
Thanks for the reminder, and he is yummy. That killer smile is a lady slayer..does he know that?
Ohhhhhh just look at that belly! LOL, toooooo cute, Ellen! Love it. Although I constantly obsessed about Faith's developement, I feel like I reveled in her baby-ness and do so even today. I feel like I have been blessed to enjoy a longer time than most parents, enjoying little girl-ness. Even though she is delayed, I choose to enjoy this time when she still "takes my word for it" or wants to hold hands or snuggle with me on the couch. LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteEllen, your kids are WAY too cute not to have a third! :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to take time to enjoy our little ones. Some days it's too easy to just get too busy.
Have a great trip!
Such cute kids! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog. Having a special needs daughter, I too wondered, Would she walk? Would she talk? What will she be able to do? Now that she's 7, I wonder, will she ever be potty trained? But I'll take a lifetime of buying pull-ups if that's the price of admission to her world!
ReplyDeleteDeal Ellen. Have a great trip. Awesome pics!
ReplyDeletekct
If Sabrina needs a new agent I can help her out......
ReplyDeleteLook how chubby Max was! Jack was never that round, always been a slender thing. But you're right. I've worried away his childhood, too (CP, autism, keeps going). And it's hard not to worry. I like that others were taking so much video that I can now look back and enjoy it. And, thanks to my new Flip video, I'm able to record a lot more today, so I'll be able to look back again in the future.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fabulous time at Disney.
You've got yourself a deal! Savor every moment....
ReplyDeleteDisney! YAY! Have a great time.
ReplyDeletexo
You are so right. They grow up fast and we should enjoy them while we can. Very sweet pics. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteLook at BabyMax! He's chubbyround AND long! What a precious boy! And Sabrina--such an angel in her matchy-matchy outfit! You do have gorgeous kids!
ReplyDeleteI think I have the opposite problem from yours--I don't worry enough (or so I'm told). I jump through the "proper" hoops, and I have lots of help on that score from my folks, I am the first to admit, but I do tend to prioritize living in the moment, lots of hugs, and having as much fun as can be found in a day. That's how I was raised, in a rather simple and close cocoon where not too many bad things happened, and when they did, they were explained in an age-appropriate way (no philosophy lectures on the nature of life and death when the cat got run over when I was five, for example) and I was encouraged to use my imagination and "Go Out and PLAY!" I manage to stay on a pretty even keel most of the time, so I guess those tactics work...or maybe it's just a case of lucky genetic code...
Have fun on your vacation. Take tons of pics so we can live vicariously through you! I'd love to do something like that, but cash is (always) short and I think too much "change: might not be a good thing for the big boy! One day, maybe!
Wow do they ever look alike :) Have a great vacation and thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteYour going to Disney tomorrow, what a great way to celebrate Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteoh, my... cutest. picture. ever. even better than "spaghetti jimmy" although maybe not appropriate for a credit card.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder! I definitely will enjoy the sweetness of my babies a lot more! :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
carpe diem... "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to stop and look around... go Purple Superhero Max go!!! go Superhero mom of Max go!!!
Ahhh. . . one of my big regres too--not enjoying baby Charlie because I was so busy checking him over for problems.
ReplyDeleteWhat a chunker I love the pic of Max in the pool. I could squeeze his chubs all day.
ReplyDeleteShall I play a song for Max?
ReplyDeleteI'm a practical able to function in any situation kind of lady. I rarely worry about the future its my nature. In my house, it's my partner Ben who does 80% of the worrying about our children. When Holly and Noah came home, he was the one who freaked out about their futures. I was too busy taking care of them to be depressed. I think I'm going to print this post out for him when he goes off into anxiety mode :) May I?
ReplyDelete