my little monkey.

caleb decides to skip the candy and just go inside to play with the neighbor's dog

taking a short break

grandparents give candy AND toys

caleb scored some socks from our parents' neighbors

it's a girl.

when i found out i was pregnant, one of the first thoughts in my head was, "i hope it's a girl!" i thought about a sweet little sister for caleb. a daddy's girl. a little baby girl to balance out the "boy" in our family. about two weeks before the big gender reveal, i had a hunch. i put my hand on my expanding belly and thought how different it felt. and i had a little case of intuition. so i told luke i thought we were having a girl. then i immediately said "never mind." because you know if you say something out loud, it won't come true.

the morning of our big ultrasound appointment, i admit, i wanted the ultrasound tech to say "girl." i did. then, on the car ride to my appointment, i prayed. i began by thanking God for the gift of this pregnancy. for everything happening so quickly and easily. for luke being amazing when i've been sick. for a doctor i love. for a nurse i love even more and trust with all my heart (my aunt). for healthy heartbeats every time. the list of blessings went on for a long time. and by the time i got around to praying for my baby's ultrasound, the gender was the last thing on my mind. the very last thing. i have a healthy, energetic, amazing son who lights up my world every day. i have a sweet baby snug in my belly who makes our little family complete. and whoever this baby was ... boy or girl, no matter what the details ... we were so blessed. everything else just seemed "un-important."

well, we got our girl. but more importantly, the ultrasound tech said, "she looks healthy and is growing beautifully." then, she handed me a tissue. i didn't even realize i had tears streaming down my face. i couldn't speak and thought my heart might burst right then and there. and looking at luke, i knew he felt the same. the fact that she's a girl? so exciting! but really, that's just the icing on the cake. (but it's pretty, pretty, delicious PINK icing.) thank you, God, again. for your amazing goodness.

this is my favorite age.

i said it at four weeks, when he cried less and smiled more. i said it at two months when i was in so in love with his newborn preciousness. i said it at four months when he was sitting in his bumbo eating solid foods. i said it at six months when he was a chubby monkey with the beginnings of some crazy hair. i said it at eight months when he was trying to sign, talk, crawl and walk. i said it at ten months when he was more entertaining than just about anything. i said it at a year as when he officially became a little man.

and i've said it many times since.

i said it today. my little 19 month old.

this is my favorite age.

his massive smile that lights up his whole face and his mouthful of teeth. his curly little ringlets. his wobbly walk and the way he runs everywhere, kicking his knees high up in the air.

the way he kisses anything and everything for no reason, making the long, drawn out ummm-mah sound. the conversations he has with us in jibberish. his cute little voice that now utters words.

the way he "reads" his books and sings along to songs. and how he is sometimes so quick to say please and thank you (cheese and tink tu).

the way he's the first one to come running with outstretched arms when anyone is crying.

his sweetness, his stubbornness, his sensitivies.

the way he says "i love mama" so shyly and sweetly, like he knows he's going to be bombarded with kisses right after.

the way, when i ask him to smile, he gives me the cheesiest, most fake little grin.

he's not always easy. he throws tantrums. he's so particular about so many things. he can be a little dramatic. he doesn't always listen.

but he is without a doubt the most compassionate, most hilarious little man with the best smile, cutest little voice and sweetest laugh that i've ever heard. he is my sunshine.

watching him grow and change, and watching us evolve right along with him .. the good times and bad, no matter what the day ....

it all has been my favorite.

*photos courtesy of jocelyn k brown photography