And suddenly, she's a day older...

Today Mae was just one day older than she was yesterday, but it seemed like she had grown more than days past. All of a sudden she didn't argue with me about getting in (then about getting out) of the bathtub, she didn't fuss when it was time to wash her hair, she was drinking from a cup without a sippy spout, and sitting tall at the table without making a mess. This morning all four of us went to an inflatable indoor playground. It was cold, rainy and Jon had the day off so we decided to let Mae run off some of her energy. We hadn't been to "Pump It Up" since July so it was like a new experience all over again. At first, we just sat back to see how much climbing, jumping and sliding Mae could do on her own. I always like to test it out to see how much help she really needs before I jump in there and do it all for her myself. Also, it's a good way for me to determine if I can manage to come without Jon's help with both children. From what we saw out of Mae today, I feel pretty confident that once she's steered in the right direction she can manage any obstacle in that playzone. It's amazing how much more capable she has become since our last visit six months ago. It was a little glimpse of freedom, for both Me and for Mae. One day I'll loosen her rein even more, and I'll be running after Nate at "Pump It Up." Mae is inching closer and closer towards becoming a preschooler and farther and farther away from being a toddler. Today it seemed like she leaped a few feet into the future. In certain ways I'm excited about all of her new accomplishments, but in other ways I want to hold onto her toddlerhood longer. I am definitely enjoying Nate's first year and letting him "stay a baby" longer than I did with Mae. As we were sitting on the couch reading bedtime books, she insisted that SHE read the book to US. We've read "Lullaby, Lullaby Little One" many, many, many, many times. We found out that just like her singing skills, she has been memorizing every word to that book. She recited the book perfectly for us, and then for once WE asked HER to read it again! I've noticed with both babies that it seems one day they're just hitting milestone after milestone and the next day nothing seems to be quite the same. Today was one of those days for Mae. Nate has started sitting up now, so we know what's coming next{sigh}MOBILITY! It's so exciting to watch the kids grow, but it's going by much faster than I ever dreamed possible. When I see Mae doing something silly or doing something sweet and innocent, I remind myself (and remind Jon if he's there to witness whatever it is she's doing) to soak it up. Those little smiles, giggles and silly things she does won't always be so little. I want to have a lot of mental pictures to go back to when she's a teenager, getting married or having children of her own. I know it will go by much faster than I can ever dream possible.