I now feel almost overjoyed everytime they call me to wipe their bottoms

excitement is mounting as I carefully empty every drawer and pack almost 5 years of my life in recycled cardboard boxes. I look at an old picture of Sean and Will sitting perched at the top of a slide, glowing with life and careless beauty. their perfect world shining down on the rest of us. and I think, yes, it's true. they do grow up too fast.

Sean and Will now use the words "risk" and "kill" and ask to be separated on Saturday afternoons. they have insanely serious arguments about material belongings. they explode with delight everytime they watch a colony of ants navigating obstacles and deviating from their straight trajectory. they have longer bodies, question my being omnipotent, shy away from tummy kissing and push the right buttons. and they have leg hair.

suddenly life seems all convoluted and scary.

Comments

[Marilyn]

Children do make us realize how complicated life can be...and oddly, conversely, instantly zip us back to simplicity...since they have an innate way of making us focus on what's truly important. I know you must be crazed these days with all you're trying to do. It was so sad to see our friend last night, Irene. Cherish every sweet moment of button-pushing those boys dish out...life is way too short, my friend. Sending you big love as you deal with all of your packing. xoxo

[la vie en rose]

awww yes...but sweet too...right, sweet too...even with all the new found leg hair...

[mamatulip]

I'm so glad I had the chance to talk to you when I did today. It is scary, watching our kids grow and change, but I really think it's a sign that you're doing a good job raising good kids.

[Charmaine]

They do grow up so fast. It seems like it was just yesterday my little brother was just coming home from the hospital with my parents (I'm 12 yrs older) and now his voice is starting to lower, he's growing like a weed and ugh, don't even mention leg hair!

When do you guys move? How funny that this summer seems like such a transition time for all of us.

[Vanessa]

They do grow up too fast, don't they? Good luck with the packing and the move. I'm so happy for you! (Post some pics of your new home when you move in.)

[Susan]

This is so crazy, but today Charlie was on the swing telling me how he does NOT want to turn four because he will have to stop sucking his thumb, and I noticed he little fuzz on his legs.

He's still my baby, though.

[carol]

To carry on the "hair" theme - Harry was on the computer and all of sudden stopped and said, "hey - I have hair on my arm. Mom, why do I have hair on my arm?"

I can empathize with the fighting - my two are always at each other!

hang in there and think about the positives of your move!!

[jess]

i always see the appearance of leg hair as such a milestone, the real end of babyhood.

[Steph]

Oh, yeah...the leg hair. That one still freaks me out to this day. A little hint as to what is next--burping and farting at the dinner table. Just wait...it's REALLY great. (giggle)

[Maria]

great post -- and I can't really sympathize. yet.

[cee]

I thought if you today. I was having a garage sale and a Korean lady walked up with her adorable 6 month old twin boys in a side by side double stroller. Her accent was thick and her english limited but we had a nice conversation. Her boys are getting active and she bought a playpen from me with hopes of containment lol. My girls and I had so much fun playing with the babies, one of them was so smiley and outgoing and the other one was very serious and no matter how hard we tried we could not get him to smile for us.

The mother is tired and having a hard time. I assured her that this time will pass and it will get easier. I didn't mention that it will get harder in other ways, I didn't want to scare her. I told her to come back anytime so we could play with her babies again. I hope she does!

[Chris]

Big changes - but there will be joy and light in this phase, too!

[kristen]

the leg hair is sobering isn't it? It's amazing how fast time goes isn't it? I'm excited for your impending move and new home Irene!!

[Suburban Turmoil]

They're doing all this already? But they're just babies! ;)

[Ninotchka]

It really does go too fast. Sigh.

[trisha]

It's a bittersweet nostalgic feeling watching them grow!!! Nothing in the world has ever come close to that feeling.

I enjoyed visiting your blog, by the way. Great writing and pictures.