Growing Up

So, I just read my friend, Jenni Evan's Blog about her little Lily. Little Lily, the girl who is now around six and when I first met her used to be my Anna's age! Which means my boy who was almost three is know eight. Of course I know my son's age but, all the sudden it hit me how fast kids grow. This week I witnessed Anna's first temper tantrum as we passed the cookie jar and she pointed to it eagerly. The only problem was that it was 7:30 in the morning. So I said, "Not now Baby," and she let out a booming scream and flailed backward as I tried to strap her in her high chair. I know she is still our baby and still loves to be rocked and cuddled but, I am not ready for this. Why is it children have to grow up so fast? The other thing is she has decided to physically grow fast. I no longer have to find a way for her pants to stay up, or fish for her little hands in the sleeves of her coat. We have had more then one comment about her "filling out," and although I am relieved she is healthy and has a place on the growth chart, I feel a bit sad my baby is now a toddler.
I have to say that that is not the least of it. My son who is a head taller than any one on his basketball team and has feet almost as big as mine, makes me proudly sorrowful. How is it I can still hear him say peepy-oni and picture him playing superman on the swings? Now he can correctly pronounce his favorite pizza topping, adding sausage to the mix, and sees how far he can jump from a swing at it highest point, scaring me. He is such a good boy and has really turned out nicely but, couldn't he go in slow-mo? I've threatened to feed him a no-growth elixir but, he laughs and says "you know there's no such thing." You see, his faith is wavering in the effect of magic potions.
I guess this is part of life those sweet bundles grow way to fast. Their legs and arms expand and worlds get bigger. I guess I should feel lucky that I've been there as these transformations have come to pass. Harris is such a brave and beautiful soul and Anna is so loving and lovable, what more can a mom ask? I know there nothing more I can.

Basket, Basket, Basketball

I guess the biggest highlight of our weeks lately would have to be Harris's Wednesday night basketball games. Harris's season started like all the rest, he being a good six inches taller than all the players and trying to get his long limbs to respond as he wanted them too. It seems in the year since he played his growth stunted his skills. As we watched him the first game, be dribbled around by a kid a foot shorter than him, we wondered if this season might be the last for our good old Harris. Yet time passed and at his last game last night the dad's on the sidelines were yelling "pass it to Harris." Yes, he finally mastered his height. I still don't know exactly what bit him about four weeks ago, but, he all the sudden became a force to be reckoned with on the court. I'm sure it has something to do with Aaron working with him, I have to give all the credit to a wonderful encouraging dad.
Yes, I think maybe his height is starting to give him an advantage. As we watch his long legs carry him down the court, his long arms keep the opposing team from scoring, and his effortless rebounds, I have to say I am one proud mama. I was so sad that the season was over. Yes, as all you parents know, driving kids to and from practices and games sometimes can be a bit of a hassle, but there is nothing that brings us, as parents, greater joy than seeing our kids succeed. I love to see him smile when he makes a shot and I also love his tough face, wrinkled forehead and intense face. In fact, I love that nothing can distract him when he is playing. One thing I have learned is how tough my son is. There have been times when the mommy in me wants to go down and pick him up when he falls or make sure there is no goose egg where the ball hit him in the forehead, but I am glad I refrained. His ability to shake it off and keep playing stunned me. It seems like only yesterday that falling on the wood chips would send him to my side to make sure there were no splinters. Now, I am only there as a spectator to cheer him on.

Look-a-like-meter results

There are a lot of things I could blog about right now. I could rant and rave about the primaries or the news today that Romney's out (so sad for all us Mormons who are intrigued by the idea of a Mormon president). But, I decided that following all of that makes me sound more like Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck than I want to. I could tell you all the story of how Harris has been wearing snow boots two sizes too small all winter. But, I'll save me and Harris the embarassment. I am no longe a contender for the Mother of the Year Award. Anyway, my wonderful sister-in-law Jen had this Look-a-like meter on her blog and I thought I'd include it with my entry for fun. As you can see, both our kids look like both of us. I don't know how statisically acurate it is but, to me it seems great. Plus, there is something wonderful about our kids sharing equally portions of our looks. I see in Anna so many expressions that Aaron has, and also she scares me at how much she is like me. Harris is definately his daddy's boy but, I love the he and I share similar interests as well. Isn't life great? It sometimes seems like a down right rotten world but, just looking at these pictures a remebered all the daily miracles. Harris and Anna are the two most precious things I have been given them and I always see their births and lives as miracles. Just something to remember.

Nydegger Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genealogy research - Roots

Nydegger Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Free family websites - Lost relatives