.Dylan turns 2!

Today, Dylan is two!!  It's been a whirlwind.  Between Mila's arrival, my birthday, Father's Day, Dylan's birthday, and then my mom's birthday all within three weeks... it's been celebratory chaos.

I didn't want to neglect Dylan's second birthday just because of the coming of her sister, but we were limited.  So last minute, we planned a simple play date with a few of her little friends, and although the weather absolutely did not cooperate and we had to seek cover, I don't think Dylan minded a bit.

Two years is gone in a flash and this little person with (ahem... strong) opinions and a lively personality brings fun and humor into everyday life.  It's never dull nor predictable, and I can't wait to watch her flourish with a playmate and as an older sister.

Happy birthday my sweet girl!

P.S. Dylan's first birthday and her birth story.
P.P.S. My mom made adorable flower crowns for the girls, and Dylan hated it and refused to wear it more than 3 seconds.  Typical.

.I love this day.

This holiday gets sweeter and sweeter as it serves as a time for me to reflect on my girls and their loving father.  This is the kid that I've known since we were 17, and although there are things that have never changed about him, there are times when I look at him and can't believe this is the same high school boy who used to pick me up for dates.  Fatherhood looks great on you G.

And happy Father's Day to my own dad, who still has the capability to make me feel encouraged and supported, and yet also embarrass me terribly when he gets the chance.

P.S. Father's Day last year & the year before.

.Rookies no longer.

Our first week together, much smoother this time around, perhaps because we are no longer rookies.  This rhythm we know, still fresh in our minds, unlike the unknown territory of raising your first.  

Dylan is in love with her little sister, giving dozens of kisses, and totally ignoring Mila's personal space.  At the hospital, when it came time to check Mila's vitals, Dylan very seriously said to the nurse, "be nice!"  It's adorable, and I hope in the future that protectiveness and love wins over any jealousy or competition.

So far Mila seems laid-back and low maintenance, but as time goes on I look forward to better knowing this new soul.

P.S. The rest of the littlest nursery.
P.P.S. Our other first week.

.Introductions.

That feeling of meeting someone and yet just knowing that belonging.  That knowledge that there was always a distinct place for them and how quickly it feels natural and like it's always just been.  And this whole new future with them can be imagined all at once and it's no longer scary nor overwhelming, but just a part of your course.

Mila, what a wonderful shock to our system you've been.

Hello, I'm new here...

Amelia Sloan

"Mila"

Born June 3rd, 2013

 7:41am

 7 lbs, 13 oz

 20 inches

Sometimes, the moments just can't get much better you know?

P.S. The other most crazy/ beautiful thing we have ever done

.Taking turns.

River time has always been a relaxing escape, but with this wild toddler, the only way to get rest is to take supervision turns.  Her impulsive curiosity wants to test all the physical boundaries possible with no thought of the consequences!  In her resilience she can quickly shake these things off, but the frequency of bumps, bruises, and other injuries still breaks my heart. 

And yes, my 38 week self joined Dylan in that inflatable pool to combat the heat, and I plan to spend much of the summer doing the same.  It is refreshing and serene, and isn't that the point of looking forward to this season all year?  Especially in south Alabama where the heat is stifling, although that does not seem to slow down the kids who surround our little spot on the water.  They are full of energy and crazy stories, and go long into the night playing hide-and-seek in the dark and jabbering over each other by the fire, and asking 100 questions, and becoming sticky eating key-lime flavored marshmallows (?!), until G and I look to each other and decide that our sleeping toddler isn't all that exhausting and head on to bed to start catching up on the sleep that will for sure be missed in the coming weeks with her arrival.

P.S. More stories from the river.

.A limited time.

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on Earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had. 

.Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.

Photos by Clever Love Photography.

Katie previously captured our growing family here and here.