TWO

May 31, 2011

Summer 2011

Around 14 months?

First haircut

Fall 2012

It's hard to believe that it was two years ago that I sat at my dining room table at midnight, trying to make small talk with my mother-in-law while my husband frantically got the last of our items in the car. I winced through the contractions while giving care instructions to "Mor Mor" (grandma) & "Pa-Pou" (grandpa) as they would be taking care of  the older boys while we were in the hospital. I'll never forget driving down the deserted streets as we made our way to the hospital, thinking to myself...this is it. My baby is coming and I will never be pregnant again. Julian Michael Kargas was born just after 4am on May 31, 2011. As with each of my three births, holding my baby while in a morphine-induced haze (all c-sections) was one of the most euphoric moments of my life.

Winter 2012

Flash forward....two years. Here we are. A crazy family juggling way too much and living in a sea of chaos. Julian is now a spunky toddler with tons of personality. He is a chatter box pointing at things constantly and asking "What's this?" He is curious, affectionalte and strong-willed. My Ju Ju Bean can throw a mean tantrum.

I don't know where those two years went. I swear it was just yesterday that I spent my days walking the lake with a sleeping infant strapped to my chest. We always say that it goes too fast. And it does. It does. Sadly much of the time is spent wishing for sleep and respite from the crying. I tried so hard to cherish each and every moment, but yet it still feels as though the newborn days slipped through my fingers too quickly.

No idea, but one of my favorites!

I am a lucky mama. No, I don't have the easiest kids. I see those children, quietly coloring in there notebooks and answering their parents polietly. The kids who put their toys away neatly and the siblings who rarely fight. That was not my lot in life. My boys are messy, loud, rough and sassy. They are smart, strong-willed and full of life. I love them each with all of my heart.

And as we celebrate my sweet baby's second birthday (yes Julian you will ALWAYS be my baby!) I remember that these years will also pass by too quickly. Double digit celebrations are right around the corner, teenage years and drivers license, parites without  us parents. Someday and it won't be long... I will be looking back and wishing I could just have "two" again.

Happy Birthday Julian.