my baby boy is 2... TWO!

Joey the Five is 2.  I can not take all of this growing up.  My kids are amazing and Joey is THE perfect addition for us :)

I did not know how much I wanted a little boy until Joey came along.  I was perfectly content with my girls. More than content, I was complete.  I have the most amazing husband and the most precious baby girls... I didn't need a boy.  I don't think even Joey needed a boy.  Joey was going to be our third little girl, Ivy :) We were set and happy and content.

Then the 20 week ultrasound came on Nana's birthday in 2011 and there was NO mistaking that a little boy was joining our girl charged crew.  The absolute excitement and pride and pure joy in Joe's eyes was something I will never, ever forget.  I think he cried more than me :)

Adjusting to a boy baby was funny.  It was the unknown & I loved it.  I loved choosing his blue wall colors and dreaming of his baseball themed first birthday.  Most of all, I loved that I was able to give Joe his Joey V to carry on his namesake.  And even more amazing was that my girls would have a little brother of their very own.

Joey is a gift.  Not because he is a boy, because he is my son.  Our son.  Our baby brother :) He is soooooo happy.  And such a silly, sweet boy.  He makes the craziest faces with his big brown eyes.  He is starting to talk... says things like "no ma".  He LOVES his daddy.  They are true besties.  He loves Mickey and Dora.  He loves Monsters Inc.  Joey loves balls.  Any ball, any where.  He loves his Nana, too.  They have an amazing bond which I am truly grateful for.  He loves cars and trucks.  He loves his big sisters and I know they will all be the best of friends one day.

Happy Birthday, Joey.  I hope you always know how much we love you and how blessed we are that you are in our lives :)

*seven*

Liliana is seven.  7.

Insanity.  Blessed.  Loved.

She is such a little lady.  Such a mix of kindness and drama and intelligence.  She is the girl version of her daddy, from the inside-out socks to her love of cheese nips and telling me I am wrong :)

Liliana loves her mini ipad with hello kitty cover.  Loves tank tops and scarves.  Loves cropped sweaters and flats.  Loves to play "teacher" of both school & dance.  Loves belting out Frozen songs & sings to Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.  Loves play dates and her friends Brynn, Isabelle, Cara & Adri from school.

I love being this kid's mom and watching her grow.  She teaches me so much about love and trust and empathy and just being good.

Liliana is the core of our family.  The middle person.  The biggest and yet so small.

I love you Liliana :)
XO