Eighteen Months.

The last eighteen months of this little ones life have gone way too quickly. It's so cliche and broken record to even type that but so very, very true.

When we were in the midst of potty training H a long, long time ago and went through a period of regression, it seemed as though the phase would never end. It was overwhelming to wonder when I wouldn't have to wonder or worry anymore about accidents and reminders and all that jazz. And now I look back and it was just a blip in the grand scheme of life. Nothing more than a notable mention. And I think that's the way most parenting things are.

When you arrive at home with new baby and you're overwhelmed by all of life's demands of new schedules and new cries and then the other children in the house it seems as though how will life ever be normal again?

But somehow you wake up one day and you do it and it gets easier and some phases and days are trickier and seem unending and then you turn the corner to the next thing.

All this to say that we're in a groove right now. I really like where we're at. I love the ages and stages of all our kids.

Don't get me wrong, the frustrating fours are very, very frustrating but I know, because of all this, that I'm just waiting the next turn of the corner, or turn of the page to the next phase or the next thing.

I really, really like where we're at.

I'd just also really, really, really like to slow things down just a smidge.

Eighteen months tomorrow. {Thursday}

Her smile lights up a room. Her busy little self keeps us on our toes and we love it. Oh do we ever love it.

She sings and she sings and she sings. And if she's not singing, she's humming. She is music to anyone's needy soul, our girl.

And she still has her struggles with diet and some new ear (possible adenoid) issues going on that we are working out and trying to make right.

But this smile right here, makes it worth it all, my friends, for it is the picture of living the dream.

Happy Eighteen Months, Evelyn.