Goodbye Two

We've had at least one and up to three kids in diapers for the past 11 years. The potty chair has become a permanent fixture in our bathroom. The back of our van always contains at least one stroller. I've always thought it will be great when we don't have diapers, cribs, high chairs and strollers anymore. It'll be nice to sleep through the night and have more time to myself.

You'd think I'd be glad to see the terrible two's go away forever. Especially because with this last child the two's were especially challenging. Goodbye and good riddance two.

Today our last baby turned three.
















And you know what? I was right. Who needs all the baby stuff? As I was laying in bed with Maren waiting for her to fall asleep last night, I thought this is the last time I'll have to lay down with a two year old. What a relief!

Babies are overrated.




















They crawl around and put things in their mouths.
















They run around in their diapers and make lots of noise.
















They have temper tantrums and cut their hair.















When I had three little kids in diapers, people would tell me to treasure these years. I thought they must have gone crazy from lack of sleep or blocked out a lot to think they were so golden. But I was wrong. The whole thing; the good, the bad and the messy is part of the joy. The people they grow into are so amazing.

Even though I have to say goodbye to two, it isn't good riddance. There are lots of things I'll miss about two. Like when I'm kissing her goodnight and she wraps her arms around my neck really tight exclaiming, "now you can't get away ever!"

Or when she comes into my bed at night, every night at 3:00 a.m. and cuddles up.

Or when she comes running to give me a hug when I've been gone.

Goodbye two. It's been an adventure that I wouldn't trade for the whole wide world.



















(This is also the end of birthdays and cinnamon rolls and sappy posts for a while!)