Just a little

So my mom is flying here to visit this evening. Ed will pick her up from the airport after working a really long day...my pregnant self will try to stay awake for her late arrival, but it might not make it. I know she would rather have me well rested than up and then crabby tomorrow. So we'll see.

The other day we were talking about how she hasn't seen the boys since the last week in July and she just can't wait to see and hear the boys chatter. She reminded me how in July, Henry would process so much in his head of what he wanted to say, but then it would jumble all up for the first chunk of what he was saying and it would come out a mess. The thought would finish clearly but the first part was a mumble mash of cute-ness.

Shockingly, I realized that I had forgotten how he used to do that. And he doesn't do it anymore. He can process his thoughts and express them rather clearly now. And my heart races, my stomach drops, and I have one more thing to lay awake realizing. Time is flying.

A few friends/family have emailed about my post about our Halloween, to inform me that our "little one" will be big enough to dress up and ride in the wagon. I know. I know. But I don't want to rush the thought of the baby being already a tot at Halloween. I do realize it - I have even thought out the costumes for it's first 3 years. We even joked this weekend that next year we will throw the little bean a piece of licorice to pacify him/her during the trick or treat journey. I DO get it.

But the hormonal pregnant mama just wants it to slow down. And there is a GOOD chance that our third will not walk at 9 months. And when dusk hits and the trick or treat journey begins we will strap that little one to us in a backpack or front carrier and set off. You never know!

Henry is the one these days that leaves me pausing and realizing how fast time is going. Charley is growing up too but the pace seems to have slowed now that he has hit Kindergarten.

Today Henry brought snack for his class. He was so proud. His teacher was laughing how he would stand up during the snack time and look around and make sure everyone was eating and enjoying. He even said to her that everyone liked the cookies. And when we reunited he told me, "Mama, my friends like the cookies I brought. cheese too!" He is so big.

And this afternoon they are both cranky but yet those darn art boxes we bought on Monday are still "THE" toy to play with. They have journeyed down to our newly cleaned up kid play area in the basement, they have music playing, and are puttering around with things. I am left realizing that my boys can play without their mama watching every move they make.

I look at my niece Morgan and my nephew Eli and think...they just turned 1...and a year from now we will be verging on our third miracle turning 1. It is going to go even faster than Charley and Henry's first year. I can feel it.

SLOW DOWN! And maybe that is why I am hesitating these days to set up play dates and exciting outings in the afternoon. By staying home, and letting them putter in the basement, cozy on the couch watching a cartoon together, baking pumpkin bars with me, playing Candy land...I can MAYBE, just MAYBE, slow it down a little bit.

Just a little.