knee-deep in real life

sometimes there are lots of fun-filled photos to share and stories to tell of our on-the-go days in san diego. lately its been a lot of playing at the park and little moments shared at home that don't feel so "news worthy" and yet i realize that these little moments spent together are the ones i'll always cherish and remember so fondly.

these little moments of catching my littles in exploration or a funny face or a shared adventure together. the exciting days that daddy arrives early enough for both kids to race to the door to greet him. listening to betsy say over and over and over " mamamamamamamamamamamama" and "quack quack quack quack quack quack quack quack" as she attempts with two tiny words to tell us all that's on her happy little heart. someday, too, i'll fondly remember all the stress and exhaustion and frantic momma-studying and discussing and million-middle-of-the-night-wake-ups that are keeping me on my toes these days as a certain two-year-old navigates the fine line between absolute independence of doing everything on his own and still needing wanting requiring the comfort of momma in the middle of the night. although tiring, it sure does warm my heart knowing in times of need, no one else will do (although we're working on elevating daddy to hero status for some of those middle of the night needs).  finding balance in the work and play of the day, the needs and wants of two kids who are so close in age yet so very far apart (right now) in their development, the doing and making and baking and fixing of the home and the time very much needed for just two.  in these days when daddy has a little more downtime than normal, i'm trying to stay as much in this very moment as possible as i soak it all in. as a family dinner starts feeling normal, even if for only this month. even if its waaay earlier than we'd like to eat. and it always feels a tiny bit rushed. i am soaking it in. and even a family story time is emerging, feeling so cozy and perfect. even if bedtime is still a struggle. and a one year old doesn't like to sit still for stories. and a two year old sometimes can't physically possibly sit still for stories. even then, when we are all together in one room reading fairy tales by candlelight...yes, even then with all the craziness and wiggling and power struggling, it still feels perfect. even if only for this month. soak every single bit of it in. because already looming larger than life in the back of my mind is the very sad truth that october is only five months away. so, here's to staying in the moment and loving the time you are given together in one place, as a whole; the way it should be. nothing particularly "news worthy" yet, all of this is what makes this life of ours so very wonderfully memorable.

learning tower to help in the kitchen from deedee & bumpah

we call this her "aunt mildred" face

she loves pushing her buggy, but more so enjoys riding in (and crashing) her buggy

yes, he is sitting on daddy's head

snuggle bugs

lining them all up

ready to go shopping (betsy's new bag and glasses from her b-day)

morning movie time while momma makes breakfast