It's easier to love when we're young.

A week ago my son and I were sitting together in our living room. Across from us hangs a large framed picture from my wedding. I'm not really sure why we were looking at the picture but my son got very serious and said, "Mommy, someday I'm going to marry Cali...because I love her."

I realize that he cannot marry his sister but it still warmed my heart. He understands (or seems to understand) that my husband and I love one another so much so that we chose to get married. Regardless of what he knows or doesn't know about marriage, I had to squeeze him tight that night. The simple fact that he expresses his love for his sister so freely is a wonderful gift.

Last night, we had a similar conversation, although this time he said he'd marry me someday and daddy could marry Cali. So now I'm guessing that he is associating marriage with love and maybe that's all it is. But again, it doesn't matter as long as he's loving more than he's hating. It seems the older we get, the more jaded we are and the more walls we build. It seems so much easier to pre-judge and choose to dislike someone than open up and let ourselves be a little vulnerable. I'm not sure if it's the heartache we experience along the way or our own self doubt. Either way, it's sad and I hope that through my children I can become more open to letting more people in.

Not having a baby around is just as fun.

After my son officially became a 'little boy' I felt a little depressed. Then my daughter came and it was like a void was filled once again by a chubby, cuddly bundle. And as she's started growing out of the baby phase, instead of feeling depressed and having an urge to re-fill that void, I'm realizing it's just as fun...if not more fun...without a baby in my house.

I'm realizing how much easier it is to communicate. How my family is becoming more a team who relies on one another and not so focused on one single person in our home. My son helps me out with my daughter and he's starting to help around the house (with prodding).

In fact, the other morning he came into my room while I was getting ready for work and let me know that he had had an accident and that not only were his jammies wet but so was his bed and his favorite blanket. I have to admit, that eliminated any sort of grossness that comes with knowing your child had an accident that you have to clean up. We stripped his bedding together and he helped me load the washing machine.

It's the little every day moments with him that make me appreciate him and celebrate his growth. Looking back I realize that in some small way I may have been holding our family back from really charishing each stage of our growth. I'm sure I'll still take it for granted. I'm sure I'll see babies and want to hold them close.

But at the end of the day, I look forward to seeing what my children have accomplished or are working to accomplish even more.