She ran a 1/2 marathon this morning. I imagine she felt like she had run a full marathon by this evening. Thank you all for a wonderful session with a beautiful and dynamic family!

She hasn't slept in her crib for several weeks now, so this weekend, after everyone left from the workshop and before the kids came home, we did a little room makeover (Target loves me, by the way):

I'm going to be completely honest here: the only reason I did the makeover was to help me carry through the emotional task of taking that crib down. That's it. That's the last reminder of our baby days. I remember shopping for that crib with my mom. I remember the excitement (and confusion and fear) Virgil and I felt the first time we put that crib together. It seemed like such a foreign object in this house built for two. I remember our puppy dog spent that first night under the crib...she would not come out. I remember my hubby getting projectile poo'ed on while changing a diaper in that crib. I remember how my little Logi Bear used to look in the summer time in just a saggy diaper and rosy red cheeks waking up from a nap in that crib. I remember how excited I was to finally get to put pink sheets on that crib and how Amry would gaze up at her bee mobile until she finally drifted off to sleep.

That crib has been in our house for 7 years. Almost a decade. My mom and sister helped me take it down. I'm glad they were there. I'm also pretty sure my sis didn't see me well up when she asked if we could store it for her to use one day. It would be an honor.

And so while the crib is put away until I get a new niece or nephew someday, my little girl is enjoying her "new pink room" as she calls it. She was so excited to explore all the new things...she was especially intrigued by the dress up trunk at the foot of her bed (hence the leotard and tutu). It brings me such joy to see her so comfortable in the very room that she was born in. Comfortable enough not to ask where her crib was even if I was kind of hoping she would.

He's no stranger to my blog (I've been working with him since he was a little over a year old...unfortunately, this is as far back as I can locate right now) and back in the day, he used to be a tough nut to crack. Smiles used to be rare, but not so anymore. All it takes is a firetruck and maybe a few jokes about bodily functions and we're cool like that. Mr. Cool like that.

We got amazing pics at his newborn session, but these just crack me up! Every time I'd get an image perfectly composed, his big sis wanted to be part of the action. Not sure if he loves My Little Pony as much as she does ;-).

While I was busy with the workshop this weekend, my kiddos were away having adventures at the ranch. When they finally made it home this morning, I just hugged them and stared at them and breathed them in. How do children grow and change so much in just a matter of a few days?

Earlier this week, I was blessed enough to get to spend a little time in the morning snuggling with each of my three in their beds. It's so funny how each experience was so wonderful, but so different. Amry smelled like warm milk, rosy cheeks, breathy voice, hair parted just enough so I could barely see her eyes. She likes to snuggle. Tristan was wiggly and squirmy and busy and so excited to talk about his day ahead. He still likes to snuggle, though, and it made me sad to realize he won't much longer. Logi Bear was still in hibernation, he is is own heater. He never woke up, but he let me cuddle up close...breathing deeply, resting so soundly. I fell back asleep next to him.

I cannot imagine my life any other way. These three keep me grounded and purposeful. They make me giggle each day. Their thoughtful Valentine's Day cards they made while they were away made me cry. I can't believe I turned into *that* mom. But I'm thankful for my sweet little Valentines and also of course my big, handsome Valentine who makes it possible for us to live this dream.

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!