.jpg)
Lindsay and I have been discussing "stages of life" topics lately...namely relating to our kids. Now that Ella is potty trained and has given up her nap our lives are much different than the past 5-6 years has shown us.
Ava is 6, Henry will be 5 in late October, and Ella is 3. Three kids close together with similar and yet, very distinct, likes and interests.
Gone are the days of crying being the only means of communication, although crying still permeates throughout the house!
Gone are the endless changing of diapers, although overnight the younger two wear a diaper (Ella) and a pull-up (Henry).
Gone are the days of not being able to explain the reason for things...such as parental decisions and the way the world works.
Gone are the days of chopping up the food so they will eat it.
Gone are the days of kids home all day as all three of them are now in school come this Fall!!
Gone are the days of having to watch them constantly as they are now able to play for extended periods of time, either together or alone.
Gone are the days of having to work around nap schedules, which kept us home-bound, as we can now take all three kids out at any time as long as we plan for Ella's feeding.
Gone are the days of strollers as they are now on the highest shelves in the garage.
Gone are the days of high chairs and booster seats, at home and out to eat.
Gone are the days of sleepless night after sleepless night...now that Ella has given up her nap she sleeps through the night so much better...yes, we still have to wake to stop her feeding, and yes, we still get woken up with the normal kid wake-up calls (bad dreams, loneliness, etc.)..but the sleep we now get is such an improvement over what we've had over the past 6 years.
Gone are the days of having to hold back the sarcasm as they are developing their own senses of humor.
Between the two of us, Lindsay and I, we will miss the baby-phase.
Between the two us, though, we look forward to enjoying this next phase...whatever it holds for us.
