I ran across this picture today. It was taken on Christmas morning 2005. There are so many memories that flood back from just this one picture.

(Avery was 2 yrs. and Piper was 1 yr. old)

1) This was the first sucker Piper ever had.

2) Both babies were in diapers. Can you say “Diaper Poor”?

3) The kids still shared a nursery. Both were still sleeping in cribs. To this day, they sleep better when they are in the room together. I’m sure it’s because that’s how life started for them!

4) That Cinderella blanket that you can see over my shoulder is still used daily in our house. It’s the softest blanket ever. Some sort of cotton and cashmere blend. I had forgotten it came from Santa!

5) I will always do everything in my power to make sure that my kids have matching pajamas for Christmas Eve. I know that this will one day (probably) come to an end, but it’s a tradition that I love.

6) My life today … 4 years later … is still much like this picture. The kids are rarely apart; one is laying on me in some fashion while I help the other do something. The kids are bigger, but the concept is EXACTLY the same!

I don’t remember many details about this Christmas morning. (Thank goodness we videoed it!) Having a 2 year old and a 1 year old introduces you to an entirely new level of exhaustion.

I do miss my kids being this small. Every stage is special, but those first years – although the most challenging of my life – are still some of the most magical.