It's a New Year!

2013?  Really?  Where has time gone?  It feels like 2012 just started and yet it's already over.  I just now got comfortable writing 12 as the date.  I've already had to scratch 12 out several times and replace it with 13.  So weird.

I'm not sure what has gotten into me this year, but last week I got real organized.  Seriously.  I started cleaning out closets!  Gasp!  Closets are funny creatures.  Weird things start going in them and you really don't know how or why it started, yet it never stops.  I really should have taken before and after pictures, because both of my hall closets were in ridiculous shape, yet now they are perfectly organized!  Here's the bad news.... all of the "junk" that I don't want to get rid of doesn't really have it's own spot yet.  Our upstairs spare room is a total mess.  Two more closets to go through and it will also be organized.  I have faith.  Does anyone want to come for a visit?  There's nothing like being forced into cleaning! Ha.

In addition to organizing, the new year has had me thinking a lot.  My babies aren't babies anymore.  Over the holidays we were able to try new things.... like playing real, true blue games!

This is Share a Berry!  It's a great game that includes counting, sharing and fine motor skills.

You know what's so fun about it?  Even Everly will sit and actually play it.  She's growing up!

We've also been playing Chutes and Ladders and matching games.

We went to a party over the weekend we realized, our kids can entertain themselves and play with other kids.  We don't actually have to keep our eyes on them every single second.  Wow, it's a liberating feeling.  Did I mention they are growing up?

We have two major milestones to cross and then we literally won't have a baby anymore.  Getting Everly into a big girl bed and big girl panties.  Santa left her some Cinderella panties, but she has to actually go potty in order to wear them.  It hasn't happened.  I have faith.

We are "thinking" about getting her big girl bed ready for her.  There's no doubt that she can climb out of her crib, but she hasn't actually tried it yet.  If and when she does, we'll be ready.

I have to admit, it makes me kind of sad to think how grown up my "babies" are.  But, I would call it more bittersweet.  I have loved the baby stage, but I'm looking forward to the next stage.  I love hearing the funny things they talk about.  I love hearing about their days at school.  I absolutely LOVE watching them learn new things.  It really is an exciting time.

And, the good news.... I still get to rock my "baby" sometimes.  I love it when she asks me to.  Last night was one of those times.... I couldn't get over how big she was in my arms.  It really wasn't that long ago that she looked like this:

Oh my, how precious are they!!!!!!

Happy 2013, here's to a wonderful year of new experiences and exciting times.