The winter days have been shorter, but our days seem to be fuller.
More laughter, more smiles.  More doing and being.
Just more everything.  (In a good way.)

This weekend was no different.
Anna Alden started walking.  (Baby steps, but steps none-the-less.)
Carter learned to ride his bike.  (Finally!)
And Asa asked for big boy underwear and kept them dry for one whole afternoon!

There have been times (and I’m sure those times will find me again someday) when I’ve lamented the passing of milestones.
But seeing Alden’s excitement when she actually put one foot in front of the other?
It’s hard to be sad when you’re looking at that.

And the pure joy in Carter’s voice when he finally conquered the big, bad bike?  Heart-warming to the core.

Asa’s proud smile when I ask if he’s still dry?  Absolutely, perfectly wonderful.

Sure, there are days when I long to hold a sweet, tiny little baby.
But I don’t miss those no-sleep newborn days.
I don’t miss frequent feeds and spit up.

Besides, my little people are becoming fairly fantastic big people.
And I really, really enjoy being with them.
I love our talks and walks and adventures.

I miss the little giggly babies they were.
But I celebrate the loving, caring, giving children they are.
And I can’t wait to journey with them and watch them grow into who they will be.