Two. #theGallery

This week for #theGallery, the theme is TWO.

I remember each of my children vividly at age two. That isn't to say I don't remember them at other ages too of course, but by two we were well past the 'baby haze' and things are somewhat easier to picture clearly.

They were just finding themselves, learning how to communicate their likes and dislikes, how to say NO, learning new things every day. Becoming little people rather than babies, growing up all too quickly in the bittersweet way that they do.

To see them now. Wow! Even only a year on from two, E has grown so much. A & J striding headlong into the teenage years, with L & H not far behind in the tweens. Where do the years go? What happened to my cheeky toddlers & the terrible 2s? Why are they all almost as big as me?

I look at my five smiling chubby cheeked toddlers, even the one covered in his Dad's shaving foam (if they're quiet, always be suspicious) and I wish I could give them one more squidge. The time passes faster than I ever would have imagined possible & I'm determined to enjoy every minute of their childhood.

I'll leave you with this thought. This sums it up.

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

- Ruth Hulburt Hamilton