and the countdown begins...

here we are! officially 23 ( those first extra cozy 9) months into life with maddalena rose!

and so, the countdown begins... because in 29 days, our sweet little flower will be two. years. old. two! my goodness, how the time just flies. it goes faster with each year, i think.

you know, when maddalena turned one, honestly, i kind of expected to be sad... and i did have a few bittersweet moments leading up, but i never felt sad, really. it was fun! and it was exciting! our baby girl was blossoming, just starting to walk on those tiny chunks of feet. we'd made it through all the wonderful, crazy, tiring, beautiful stuff that first year has to offer, and it felt fabulous. still, she was only one! it had only been a year. and that year had flown.

and now! a second birthday!! we've really come so far in this last year, and i am so excited and so so proud. we've gone from just finding balance on those baby feet, to running, singing, dancing, laughing, joking, helping, and just beaming with pride at every chance to be a teeny tiny grownup. toddlerhood has been my favorite thing, and i can't even get enough of every day with my girl.

what's funny, though, is that i totally didn't expect for this birthday to be the birthday that made me all emotional...

...but it hit me first as i shopped for little clothes in the store, debating between 24 months and 2t, looking from the baby section to the toddler section.

...it hit me again when we decided to get maddalena her very own big girl bed, though for two years now we have all slept snuggled up in the big bed together.

...it hit me as i put a few more outgrown dresses away for good, in a big box that is now getting much too full of the tiniest belongings.

...and it hit me once more as i took down a few little sentimental things that had decorated her room since before she was born. it was time, i thought practically, not realizing i was maybe not ready for more changes, as tiny as they were.

suddenly two years seems like such a long time ago!

thinking about all of these things last night, i looked in maddalena's bedroom mirror noticing the faded line in my hair from the last time it was highlighted, just before maddalena was born, that's now in the lower section of my hair. it was strangely comforting to see that little piece of time still with me... but i was sad at the same time that it wouldn't be for much longer. just a couple more good chops and that line will be gone. (ahem, i mean my snazzy ombré will be gone... of course!)

in 29 days, my baby will be two. two years old! and then not really 25 months. not really 26 months. "how old is she?" people will ask, and we'll say "oh, she's two!" simply two. and then two and a half. and then three. and doesn't that all just sound like it's going way too fast? it does to me. yep, it kinda does!

but gosh, i am completely thrilled all the same! because this almost two year old absolutely blows my mind every day with how fun and smart and witty and creative and helpful and eager and loving she is. she keeps us laughing and crazy and worrying and praying and dancing. i love the little conversations we have together, and i just couldn't ask for a better sidekick in my every day. i am so thankful that God picked her out especially for me, and if there's one thing i never forget to be thankful for in my prayers at night, it's that! (and for her daddy, of course!)

so, maddalena, rose, i sure love you, girl. ridiculous amounts. and i will never take a single day with you for granted. especially not the next 29. :)
now, let's go do this 23 stuff right!