Day 53

I love babies.

Like, I love, l-o-v-e, love babies.

Babies are a LOT of work.

Nathan and I talked a lot about how much our life is going to change over the next year or so. For our entire relationship we have been raising babies or have been expecting babies. Each time we had another baby we commented on how seemingly "free" (and I use that term very loosely) we were prior to the baby. That freedom a parent can only feel once that have lost it again.

And it is not to say that not having that freedom is bad. It is great, and rewarding and all encompassing because it is a cute, wonderful, amazing little human being that you just created.

We are now at this point though, where we know we will not be having any more babies of our own, and we got excited talking about all of the possibilities that are now at our doorstep.

Things like family trips, when we will not have to plan activities around stroller accessibility or nap times and feeding schedules.

Or family games nights where everyone can play.

Movie trips when we won't have to worry about whether or not someone will sit through the whole thing.

Museum trips where we can actually enjoy the exhibits and not just chase toddlers around.

And dare I say, more time for the two of us to go out on a date every once in a while.

It took me a long time to get to this place. The place where I feel content and where I feel my family is complete and whole just the way it is. And now that I do feel that way, feel like each component of what makes up our family is here, and now that we are moving out of the baby stage, there is a world of possibilities at my doorstep.

Sure Brody is still young, but he is maturing into a rough and tumble big boy at a rapid pace. Keira is just entering the toddler stage, but if her life so far is any indicator, she is only a skip behind Brody, maturity wise. She is an old soul, and has a better attention span than any of the boys did at her age.

Nathan's family took trips together all the time. I love hearing stories about them, and although as children they didn't necessarily appreciate them at the time, and weren't stoked about spending April vacation in D.C. , they are grateful for the time now, and have so many wonderful memories. I look forward to that with my family.

I can't wait for our first trip to Niagra Falls, or to D.C.
I look forward to our first Disney Trip as a family.
I dream of venturing out west to an old pioneer town.
I want to go to Ireland, and fulfill one of Sharon's dreams of her family going back there.
I can't wait to bring my children out to Illinois to visit my second home, and spend time with my Dad and his family, and have them all meet Brody and Keira for the first time, and learn to ride horses.
I want to visit the Grand Canyon with the family, and marvel at how amazing nature is.

The possibilities are endless.

I am grateful for the baby years, these past ten years for me, for teaching me so much, and I am looking forward to all of the new experiences and wonderful memories the years to come hold.