18 Months Gone in a Moment

I can't believe my beautiful baby is already 18 months old. It seemed like only yesterday I brought my bundle of joy home from the hospital - and here she is walking, talking, and being so independant. Even though it's unfathomable for me to have a 9 year old and an 8 year old, Jada's super speedy jump into toddlerhood has had the biggest impact. It may be because I know that she is my last baby, it may be because I'm older and have appreciated more moments with her, it may be because I've been home spending much more time with her - but not enough to get over how quickly time has flown.

With every new day has brought something new and exciting from Jada. At 10 months old, shortly after learning to walk, she was dancing in front of the TV. Now that dancing has turned into remembering song lyrics and actually singing along to songs. From her first jar of baby food at 5 months old to dinner time with us, eating exactly what we eat on a plate just like ours with a "big girl" fork and spoon. Goodbye are bottles and sippy cups, as she drinks from a regular cup now. I don't even get the chance of rocking my baby to sleep, as she would much rather watch "Bob Bob" (Spongebob) in bed and fall asleep on her own.

I am not sad about all the things that my child has learned to do over the past 18 months, for every day is a new adventure for me, but it's a bittersweet time. Her personality has changed, her laugh lights up a room, and I feel proud to watch her try and put on her own shoes to go play outside. I know at the end of the day that I play a huge part in the molding of this beautiful child that amazes all by her smarts and vocabulary.

I don't want this entire post to be completely about Jada. I have two other wonderfully bright and beautiful children, and with every day of Jada's amazements bring on the truths of how big and grown up my other two children are. The other morning, Payton got Jada up by herself, and Brayden amuses Jada by playing outside with her or in his room. They are getting so grown up themselves. There are times that I want to bang their heads together, for they seem to fight with each other constantly - but I'm reminded of how my brother and I were as kids and know that it's my own dose of fate lurking in the wings telling me what my mother had to deal with when I was a child.

I have truly been blessed with so many things in my life, but my children are the meaning of my life. They are what I wake up in the morning for, go to sleep thinking about at night. They are my savior on stressful days and make me realize why I do the things I do. I strive to be a better person for them, so that in their future they will have someone to look up to. Some people find peace in praying to God, I find peace in talking to my children. Their wisdom, even at these young ages, can put perspective on the most difficult of problems. Their questions often boggle my mind, but their discovery for their own answers makes it even more amazing.

I love you, my children, forever!

Payton as a baby:


Payton now:


Brayden as a baby:


Brayden now:


Jada when she was born:


And my big girl now: