a year in pictures

As I sit here on the eve of another year, I'm overwhelmed with how much has happened.  And even more struck by the blank pages that are waiting to be written in 2012.

It is an honor...to write the memories of their lives.  I know that they won't remember the major events and little every day happenings that shaped our family this year.  

And because memories will surely fail them at these young ages, I consider it my great privilege to do the remembering for them.

Here is what I will cherish about 2011...

bundling up just to watch Hubby blow the snow

playing in our jammies

homemade pizzas and pint-sized help

the sledding hill and the squeals that came with it

first hair cut

and how I crossed my fingers the whole time that her sucker would last until the last lock fell

stickers, colors, glue...
projects

the look on her face when she met Dora

baking...lots and lots of baking

my baby becoming my big girl

feeling the little flutters that soon turned into big, strong kicks

being nervous about how I would share my love

and waiting....

thinking she was a boy all along

and waiting...

puzzles

puppet shows and the way she sang 

"5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"

dress up and make believe

walks to the park and how she got so brave on that equipment

testing out her independence a little more each time

stepping away from us and into the big world on her own

chalk on the driveway

how I could barely get myself up off the driveway and sometimes had to wait until Hubby got home to help

the last days of the three of us 

and how adorable she looked in that Easter dress

preparing the nursery

folding miniature onesies

wondering

and waiting...

an Easter miracle

meeting my daughter at 6:41 am on April 25th

realizing that she was worth the wait

a new bond

the look on Peach's face when she introduced her sister to visitors

pride that only a big sister can know

tiny everything

the garden that got me blogging

nursing

in every place imaginable

feeling like I was stretched way too thin

smiling to hide how overwhelmed I felt

first swim suit

and chubby cheeks that just begged to be squeezed

playing

and "I can do it myself!"

adjusting

until we found that cozy spot where being a family of four felt good

big steps forward

even if they did require hours in front of Hello Kitty

getting more than a little spoiled

snuggles, cuddles, being close to my heart

parades and candy

hot, hot days

bare feet

sweaty hugs

splish splashing

finding that we had a brave little fish on our hands

new discoveries

growing pains

little victories

adorable outfits

being silly and the giggles that melted my heart

our back yard

the way those toes wiggled in the wind

what the inside of a pumpkin feels like

playing on the floor

their sweet voices coming from the bedroom

language that only the two of them understood

the endless stream of library books coming and going from our little basket in the living room

projects...projects...projects

feeling like i needed a fridge the size of MN to showcase all her artwork

her all-time favorite

knowing that a promise of smarties would stop any temper tantrum

resorting to that promise only a few times - when i was really desperate

the days getting shorter

the snuggles getting longer

enjoying the last opportunities to spend the entire day outside

watching love bloom right before my eyes

the beauty of fall in Minnesota

those cheeks

and how I could not let more than a few minutes go by without kissing them

the special bond that grows between a family and a pet

and the pain that comes with letting go

giving thanks

big moments

and little ones

moving forward

what a snowflake tastes like

what it feels like to be a sister

the peace that comes with being close

how real magic comes at Christmas

the thrill of going new places all on your own

and the sweet, sweet goodness of knowing that at the end of the day, you have a house to call home and people to call family.

Although my girls may not be able to put it into their own words or remember exact details, I do believe that as this year rolled and lulled, it impressed upon their hearts a certainty that they are loved...cherished...adored.

They may not be able to remember this year, but I hope that they will somehow feel the beauty of the past 365 days.

As 2012 knocks on our door, we are so grateful for what we had, what we have and what we are being given the chance to create.

As tiring as this year was...365 cups of much-needed coffee later...

I look back on it and feel like I won the lottery.  

How did I get this lucky?

And the very best part is that the next 12 months are ready...waiting to be experienced.  And we get to do it together.

They are growing, but the for the next 52 weeks, these girls will still be little.  Little enough to hold.  Little enough to snuggle.  Little enough to sit on laps and little enough to need us.

So, it is with a very grateful heart that I close the chapter of 2011 and open up to another year of loving these little people.

Mmmm...its gonna' be good.

Happy New Year's...