Overtired baby smelly treasured moments

My beautiful niece is in town for her spring break. This is the first time we have really gotten to spend time with her in 18months. And really.... Before that, when Kristin was alive, she made it so very difficult that enjoying emi was hard.

So I'm treasuring these moments with her. Savoring the young lady she's becoming. Studying each freckle, memorizing each look and dance move. Remembering her coming into this world, wondering about her future. It's not the one I thought she would have.... But it's the one she has and the one that makes her who she is. Smart! Intuitive! Empathetic! Loving, warm and so much a product of her mom and dad! The best of both of them.

And joe and emi are playing so well with each other. They run and laugh and create memories. They have sung songs and played drums, super heroes and athlete. They have had tickle wars and tummy sandwiches. They share smiles and secrets.

But poor joe is so tired, he ends his night with a bit of a temper tantrum. He cries and whines and tests his boundaries. He wakes up his sister who then won't go back down.

Then I rock her and rock her and nurse her and rock some more. And then, with a sleeping babe in my arms, still rocking.... Treasure each of these moments. Every.... Single.... One!

These are the defining moments. These little humans.... They're becoming adults. I know I don't parent the same as others. Shoot, I don't parent the same as my husband sometimes. But.... I treasure the ability to nurture their little souls. I love seeing the kind of big humans they're becoming.

These moments are fleeting. They are but a blink of an eye. It may not always be the right way.... But THIS little human....this one, (or two) I created... And one i saw come into this world. I shall treasure the things that make each of them a genius.