And grows and grows and grows...

My sweet boy is almost sixteen months old. I cannot believe how fast time goes! I know I say that all the time, but REALLY, why does it have to go by so quickly? J will be 16 months on February 1st. (Yes, I am just getting his 15 month update posted!) His check up at the pediatrician went well. He is 31 1/2 inches long (50-75%) and 23 pounds, 2 oz (25-50%). J is wearing size 18 month clothes and will surely pass up his "big" sis by his second birthday! He has most of his teeth and we are just seeing the last four begin to break through this week (yay!).

Little mister loves books, trucks, and music. He also loves hats and puts everything on his head! He loves to dance and is a big flirt! It is physically impossible NOT to smile when he smiles at you; which makes teaching him not to touch certain things tricky. J is always on the go. He doesn't sit still for long! He loves to climb and Mommy has found him standing on top of the slide and on top of the table in K's room. One of J's favorite "no no" activities is standing on the couch, saying "Whooooooa" and then falling straight backwards onto his back. He thinks it's hilarious and of course, Mommy and Daddy just know he will fall off the couch so find it less humorous. When he gets mad, he gets MAD, and lets us know about it.

J loves his big sis more than anyone. He follows her around like a little shadow. He isn't saying much yet, although suddenly will say something unexpected leaving Daddy and I to look at each other like "did he just say that?"

He is a bright light in our family!!

Today is the day

Dear K and J,

I have started so many posts trying to express to you the feeling I have regarding this year's election. All of them come up short; it is difficult to put some things into words. But today, I will finish the post I started back in November.

In a couple of hours, Mr. Obama will officially become our 44th President. He has inspired millions of people to take charge of not only their lives, but their families, neighborhoods, communities, and government. He is just a man, no better or worse than any other man. But he has chosen to embark on a journey that will change the lives of all of us. He has chosen to be "the one" to steer our country in a new direction. With his decision, he is sacrificing more than any of us can imagine.

He is a Daddy, and just like your Daddy, I believe his first and last thoughts of every day are about his two kids and how much he loves them. I believe that he will think of how his decisions will impact his girls and their future. I believe that Mrs. Obama prays for the health and happiness of her family every night just as your mommy does. And just like your mommy and daddy, they will make mistakes. They will likely make big mistakes. But I believe they will take responsibility for the mistakes they make and will do their best to learn from them.

He is inheriting a list of problems that Mommy can not begin to describe. They are problems we have all had a part in and we all need to take part in finding the solutions. That is our job as Americans. We need to help each other and take care of each other and notice the similarities in each other, rather than focusing on the differences.

Millions of people are in the streets of Washington. They are from all walks of life. They are standing out there in the cold, so excited to witness this historic day. And millions more of us are in our homes and offices, watching it all unfold on television.

I know you will read about this time in your history books. I know you will ask me and Daddy about it. I hope that we still feel as inspired and focused as we do today. I am so grateful that our country will be a better place for you. When he makes his speech in a few hours, I know he will remind us that this day is much less about him, and much more about YOU. And me. And all of us. Together.

One like the other

I'm pretty sure my kids are going to hate these pics when they are older. But I think they are so cute dressed in the same Christmas jammies!!! I'm pretty sure next year big sis will say "absolutely not!" when I ask them to wear matching jammies for Christmas.