The next phase

I've been so bad about blogging this past few weeks.  A lot of that has to do with the fact that it's so late by the time I finally sit down at night.  The girls are staying up later and later and with the time change this weekend, I have a feeling it's going to take us a while to adjust bedtimes.  They are just like me though, night owls.

I have a funny story about Harper.  Every Wednesday is dance day.  We drop Handley at her class, I run to Chick-fil-a with Harper and Hudson to eat and then we bring dinner for Handley to eat while Harper has her class.  Every week that I get a salad Harper asks to have some of it.  She loves salads, which is odd because she won't touch any other vegetables with a 10 foot pole.  Last week after I had ordered our food she was so upset and said that she really wanted her own salad for dinner.  SO, she ate my salad and I had her kids meal. :-)

This weekend we went up to the lake to check on a few things and to just get away for the weekend.  It was such pretty weather and a nice tease for spring.  Hudson had a blast playing with the rocks, leaves and sticks and I can just picture how he is going to love the warm weather that is ahead since we will be spending lots of time outdoors.

Today before we left we went to a waterfall at a local state park.  We've been there lots of times, but have always stayed on the beaten path and the observation deck.  Today Handley asked if we could climb down to the bottom of the waterfall (like some of the other people she spotted down there).  We started making our way down and I was thinking two things.  1 - I'm glad I am wearing the right kind of shoes for this, and 2 -I am more than a little nervous we might have trouble getting everyone back up.  It was pretty steep and not the easiest "path." About 1/4 of the way down Harper decided she didn't want to go any further and I was agreeing with her!  Robby convinced her to keep going and I'm so happy we did.  The whole time down Handley kept saying she "loved hiking" and that "we should do this all the time."

By the time we made our way back up Harper was turned onto Handley's idea that "hiking is fun" and she wasn't scared at all.  Hudson thinks he is big and kept trying to wiggle down so he could climb, too, but he finally gave in and just enjoyed the ride on Robby's shoulders.

If I'm being completely honest, with the birth of my niece last week and being around several other babies and/or pregnant friends I have been a little sad that our baby days are over.  Don't get me wrong...we feel complete with our family of five, but I truly love the baby phase and thinking about the fact that I will never have another little crawler with chunky thighs makes me just a teeny-tiny bit emotional.  Hudson is growing up SO fast and although I still see him as my baby, I know he really isn't one anymore.  Today was good for me though.  Our little adventure made me realize that the next phase we are entering is also going to be a wonderful one.  One where everyone can enjoy the same types of outings without us having to worry about feedings, nap times or strollers.  Where all three kids can laugh and play and have fun together.  And where they can all learn and share in these experiences we are trying to provide for them while making memories together.  So, while I may just need to sneak in some baby love with some other babies I love dearly, I am excited about the next phase for our family!