Boots, Balloons, & Choo Choo Trains

We couldn't have asked for a better day or setting for Nick's 2 year photos!! Completely captured his personality!

Your birthday balloons that made you so sad when they floated away.



That smile and those inquisitive eyes: Be still my heart!



She captured so many of your looks! I am eternally grateful for this!

Thrilled to be the king of your choo choo!



Not so thrilled to have your picture taken anymore!



Perfecting your leaf pile act!

Your monkey (aka Ah, Ah) joined us; always up for leaf jumping; pondering your next move; one of my fav looks



The fingers and those eyes!



I couldn't pass up posting this is B&W too!



You melt my heart over and over again!!

Thank you Nickie Jean Photography!

Two

Much too overdue my love. Your second birthday! Swallowed up by all that was going on at that time. But this Momma wasn't going to let it be forgotten or lost. I did my best littlest one. I wanted it to be sooo much more, but you were so excited and knew no different! And for that I'm grateful!

I asked if it was to be a choo choo or a dinosaur cake, and you were sure it was to be a dinosaur! So dino it was!! You even had the cutest little roar to go along with it!

So excited to be front and center! To be sang to! And the candle, well, the pictures tell how excited you were for your very own candle. The determination and triumph after blowing it out. Priceless my love bug!!

A tad overwhelmed by all the "help" opening your presents. But always excited to discover what was under that colorful paper!

By the time you were able to sample your coveted dinosaur, you were a little spent with all the excitement! A little taste (probably just to make your Momma smile) was about all you had in you.

So we celebrated in our style on your actual birthday...just the four of us, laid back, open and play, play and open, slow and savoring every little ooh and awe!!

The little green garbage truck. Quite possibly your most favorite gift out of everything. Leave it to G&G K for knowing that!

Can't believe two years have come and gone little one! I swear I don't know what we do to make the time go so fast. You are still the sweetest, most tender hearted little one that you have been since day one. Not afraid to come in for a snuggle. This I cherish each and every day!

xoxo my sweet bug! to the moon and back!

Ripples and Waves

Right now as I sit and type, it's waves. Huge waves. Waves like I've never experienced before. Some moments are just ripples. Just a sweet little reminder. But this time of night, it's typically waves.

Our time. Your time. To show off. To tune me in. Really tune me in and connect. To remind me of the beauty of this time. This sweet precious time that is rapidly dwindling. Allowing me to watch you dance and seize the moment. This moment that is just us. Not us and everything else going on in life. But just you and me.

I watch these ripples and waves in awe. Complete and total awe! Utter amazement! Never did I experience these tides before. Not like this. Not this big. Not this distinct. You already know that you are the culmination and that you must prove yourself.

You are already practicing to keep up with the beginning and the middle. Knowing that you must to get your point across. Already practicing how to get my complete and total attention. I felt your flutters the earliest and now the strongest.

I will miss these ripples and waves like crazy. But am so blessed to have felt what I have with you littlest one. There aren't many feelings in this big, crazy world that compare to these tides. But one of those feelings is quickly approaching us. Not long sweet boy. And your waves will come crashing to my ears. These unbelievable ripples will become your sweet voice in my ears. Your soft touch on my skin. Your unmistakable smell.

But for now, I will cherish your movements. Your dance. This time. These moments. Knowing that it's the last time. The end to the beginning of another unbelievable story.

Another First

I agonized over this decision. Was it too early? Which one was going to be the right fit for you? Was it going to be too much or just the right thing with the new baby coming? Which philosophy was better for you? Once I made the decision, I back pedaled. Again, was it right? How do I know? Ask your Aunt Lisa, I was one confused, stressed out Mommy over this!

But you were over-the-moon excited when the time came!

So excited to pick out your big boy backpack! Lightning McQueen of course!

A little hesitation the day before when I was talking it all through with you again. Ms. Cheri is your teacher and Ms. Tresa is her helper. How your day will go! Mommy will go in and help you get your backpack in your "locker". And then I will leave and come back to get you before lunch. A little back pedaling on your part this time and maybe a "I don't want to go to preschool now Mommy" slipped out once the realization started to soak in. But we talked it up!! You woke up so excited. Even smiling and hamming for Mommy and her silly camera.

Bonus of the day: Daddy was off work and was able to come to!! High fives all around!!

You got out of the car and practically ran as fast as your speedy little legs would take you into preschool. You remembered right where your "locker" was and walked ever so boldly into the classroom, got your name tag, and started right in playing. Barely remembering to give me a kiss goodbye! No tears. Just a see you soon Mom and a quick smooch!

I turned and walked back out making sure not to be the dwindler on that first day. Making it hard on everyone involved. I so bad wanted to stand back there and dwindle though. To watch you flourish. To get caught up in that moment. To make sure you were "ok". Even though I knew in my heart that you were okay. That is was the right decision. That you were taking the opportunity and running with it. It was going to be the best thing for you. Something for you to own and not have to share with your littlest idol.

You made it easy on me Monkey! No tears for either of us. Just tears now as I type and remember. And know that another first has come and gone. Your Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you that day! If only you knew how proud! And you've never looked back since that first day. You are as excited every school day as you were for that first one. And learning....holy buckets are you ever learning!

I love you sweet boy! More than you'll ever know! To the moon and back! Forever and always!!

One for your Daddy without the "silly" sign!

Insta.Love

I've joined the many who love Instagram! It is fantastic and sooo much fun! Can't get enough of it. My first collage full of instalove!! Enjoy!

Sun, Fun, and Family

Our first morning started off buggy! With a little lizard here and there. The boys were in creature heaven! 

 We visited the Naval Museum for a little high flying fun! I don't know who was more excited. The little boys or the big boy (aka Daddy)! So many planes to see!

 

The day called for a little afternoon cool down in the pool after some yummy cherry limeades!

Dinner was at Sunset Grille (fried pickles, yum!) the boardwalk and fishies entertained to every one's delight!

Grandpa and Grandma soaking up the grandbaby love!

Sunset Grille....you're not kidding!

Don't ya wonder what they are chatting about!

This is the only one where Gabe is looking at the camera. He decided he wasn't interested in a posed group shot! And the little was nursing the fingers....can you say overtired!!

Couldn't resist giving you a few more doses of beautiful!