23 Months

My Sweet Little Elliott:

I put you to bed last night as a 22 month old, and you woke up this morning as a 23 month old.

Not much has changed overnight, but the last two years feel like they've flown by overnight.

With just one month left until your 2nd birthday, you can bet that I'll be holding on tight to every moment we have together. I learn so much from you and so much about you every minute, that times like this need to be cherished, remembered, and not taken for granted.

I don't ever want to forget the way you sing "Happy.....to you!!! Happy.....to you!!" or "jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells" (those are the only words you know to that song, and it's pretty adorable). I don't ever want to forget how you carry on conversations with your stuffed animals in the backseat of the car.....the phrase "stop it!" is your favorite. While I should be telling you to talk nice, it's really stinking cute the way you say it!

I don't ever want to forget our nightly routines or our "nose kisses" and "huggles".

I don't ever want to forget what a picky eater you are or how I can always get you to eat peas. I don't ever want to forget how much you love to dance and play your imaginary key board while you sing.

I don't ever want to forget how you copy my every word and movement.

There are so many tiny pieces that make up a childhood, that it's hard to hold onto them all. I'm doing my best, but time is just going too fast!  Someone told me once, when Elliott was a baby, a phrase that got me through many rough nights and helped put things into perspective for me:

"The days are long, but the years are short".

When Ellie was a baby (and a somewhat fussy one, at that), this saying made perfect sense to me! Each day was sometimes a struggle and would drag on and on, but when you look back over time, it went so fast!

Now that she's a toddler, the only part of that phrase that makes sense is the last part. The years are far too short. The days are also short, because life with this little one is just so fun and easy.

The years, well, I can only imagine how short they will get with each passing one.

I think the older Elliott gets, the harder it will be to hold on to these memories.

I didn't mean to be all sad and reflective, but it's the honest truth. And, I'm hoping if I get it all out now then maybe I won't be a blubbering mess in a month at Elliott's second birthday!

Seriously.....how is my baby almost 2?!?!

Elliott Erin, I love you more than you will ever know!

Happy 23 months to my smart, fun, adorable baby girl!