.191 day 168

lisa came over to return the camera she borrowed with all three of her babies in tow. all three, each one cuter than the next, with personalities so distinctively their own. zoey, the oldest, and sweetest of the bunch, four years wise with playful imagination. aiden, almost three, and full of energy and innocent mischief and smiles so wide you almost miss how very protective he is of his sisters. jade, the baby, just over one years old, is sweet and edible and plush like a living teddy bear. the same height as toots, twice as big, and three times as gentle, i fell in love instantaneously. 

this picture i took of her is right after my "only child syndrome" having toddler, not only refused to share her toys, but commenced to snatching any that jade had come upon (indeed, i hung my head in mommy shame). she was so sad and confused. why, she was more than willing to share her own toys and goodies with toots...

baby toes!

aiden pinching toots because she was being mean to jade.

zoey.

.015 day 5

toots at play. 

i still marvel at every little stride, none smaller than the rest, as she moves farther from being my baby, and closer to being who she is to become. we had a mini birthday party, her father, my mother and I, when she was just one week old. lit the same cake candle we used at one week, when she turned one, vowing to light it every year until she is grown (or the candle burns out). i am lovingly addicted to her. cheering at any and all she learns and leaps and giggles for. these days, she can finally jump with both feet off the ground, knows where all her body parts are and can stack her circles in size order. that's right. insert balloons and blowy things here (smile).

.02 taylor's friend

langston. 

son of our neighbors. taylor's first official friend. he has the sweetest spirit.

.01 toots

taylor.

i call her toots. which is just a nickname of a nickname...cause i also call her tootie. 

my child. my heartbeat. my reason.