22 Months

In case you hadn't noticed, during my blogging hiatus my boys seem to have somehow, magically, grown even cuter.

Exhibit A:Enjoying their favorite Sesame Street sketches

I know. I know. I didn't think it was possible either. But apparently we were both wrong.

Exhibit B:Carrots, anyone?

Portrait of the artist as a young man

Must I go on? Ok. If you insist.

Exhibit C:Balance

Cool

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case.


They haven't felt like babies in quite a while, but in two short months, it'll be official. Today they turned 22 months old.

Frankly, that realization shook me. Two years old. Such big boys. This past year has flown by so, so quickly. Last June they were these growing babies just figuring out how to take their first steps. I blinked and suddenly they're these handsome, strapping boys who literally run circles around me. I'll blink again, and they'll be 5, starting their first day of school. Another blink and they'll be walking across the stage at their high school graduation. Blink. Going off to college. Blink. Beginning their careers. Blink. Marriage. Blink. Starting families with their own babies. It all goes by so quickly. Too quickly. In fact, when I stop to think about the whirlwind pace of it all, my chest grows tight and my breathing becomes shallow. My heart is just on the edge of breaking into a million little pieces. They're growing up. Inevitability doesn't make those pangs any less difficult.

But right now they're here. And there's no place they'd rather be than with their mommy and daddy. I have to remind myself that they won't always be quite so willing to be held or to give sloppy wet kisses with those sweet, little puckered lips or to sit and read books in Mommy's lap. Some day they'll be old enough to read their own books, ones without 'choo choo twains', 'moo cows' or friendly, fuzzy monsters. They'll be able to articulate their every need and won't require me to solve a puzzle in order to figure it out or translate so that Daddy will know they want the whole banana, not those puny cut-up slices. Don't get me wrong. I'm excited about each and every little step along the way in the long process of "growing up". I'm excited about new adventures and discoveries. I'm excited to see how they'll transition from these wild, sweet toddlers into grown, young men. I just wish it'd slow down a little. What's your rush? In the meantime I try to soak up every little nuance and quirk into my memory and appreciate each moment as it comes.

By the way, I am loving, LOVING, this age. Tantrums and all!


The boys, 22 months old today.