Two Years Ago...

I was driving myself to the hospital...for the fourth time. Only that time Brian got "the page" at work. Two years ago I was overjoyed, underslept (not sure if that's a word, but you get the picture) and a little anxious. Two years ago Chase & Ella came into our worlds...and now we can't imagine it without them.

I'm still amazed at how much of their personalities shone through in the first hours of their lives. Although Chase would startle easily, he was quickly comforted by a loving hug- and still is. He was a hard worker even then, relentless in his attempts for a good meal, despite being tongue tied. And somehow he could just light up a room. And still can.

His endearing smile is impossible not to reciprocate, his happy belly laughs, irresistible to not encourage and his loving hugs are abundant (as if his dimples weren't enough).

If he's not jumping with excitement or doing his "dinosaur walk" then he has a book in hand and is looking for the perfect place to sit and read. And, of course, he loves cars and trucks (or "twu" as he calls them), trains, airplanes and dogs. But more than all of that, he loves his big brothers and wants to be JUST like them.

His big heart matches the rest of him at a whopping 40+ lbs.

Everyone should be so blessed as to have a little "Chase" in their lives.

Ella has been equally consistent since birth. Or even before that when she use to do crazy summer salts (with half the room) in my tummy, often leaving me breathless. And she still loves to show off her flexibility. She was born a tough cookie and it's good thing with three older brothers. Even today, she holds her own and doesn't usually cry for the "little" hurts. Unless she sees somebody is watching and wants the attention...but she IS a girl. And she's a girl who knows what she wants, which hasn't changed and probably never will. Her obsessions are true to her gender...shoes (or anything that fits on her feet- tea cups work too),

hats (or anything that fits on her head- buckets work too),

(some buckets are better than others)

clothes (or anything she can "wear"- towels work too),

baby dolls and "mothering" her big brothers (that's a nice way of saying that she's bossy). Depending on her mood (and her company), she can come across as intimidating...or a flirt. And her facial expressions are priceless (and indescribable). She is her own person, that's for sure. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

With two years comes tantrums, time outs, and teaching boundaries. And exploration and wonder, communication and understanding, and fascination in the little things. That is what I'm looking forward to. Making music, building blocks, dressing up and experiencing the world beyond the stroller. Because in two years from now my babies (okay, toddlers), will be preschoolers and moving into the next stage in life. Whether I like it or not.

Wishing a very Happy 2nd Birthday to our Chase-asaurus Rex (C-Rex for short) and our Ella-Bella-Cinderella.