an odd year

all our children were born during even years (2002, 2004, and 2006). it's kind of handy to think that if the year is an even year, then the kids will all have even birthdays that year. on the flip side of that, since it's 2009, all 3 children will turn an odd number this year.

yesterday my "baby" turned 3 and hers is the last of the kids' birthdays for the year. as happy as i am to see her grow up healthy and strong and to see her own personality, i get a little shock to my heart when i realize that she is the last.

that the crib won't hold any more of *my* babies.

that i won't have to hang onto those toddler clothes, just in case we can use them again for a younger sibling.

that from here on out, they're all just going to get bigger and heavier and with sharper elbows and knees jabbing me in the tummy and boobs as they try to squeeze onto my lap.

i can see so many changes in all of them over the last year. i'm thinking i never noticed them in my oldest child as she was growing because i was always busy with her younger siblings. so while i'm missing having a cuddly baby, i am relieved.

relieved that all 3 of them can trail after me in the store and i'm not having to carry anyone.

relieved they can pretty much feed themselves.

relieved that everyone is sleeping through the night (and has been for almost the last 2 years).

relieved that we're almost diaper free. (a certain little boy still wears pullups to bed and i don't see that ending anytime soon, unfortunately).

i'm excited to start doing more things as a family, things that aren't baby-friendly...like camping. going to the pool. short hikes in the great outdoors. playgrounds!!

i'm almost a little sad that school will be starting next week, i suddenly want to make plans and show the kids everything i can about this great big world. to see a little bit of wonder on my 7 year old's face, to challenge them a little...

but school is starting in 7 days, so we'll make weekend plans here & there and hope we can squeeze in some fun. just because school is starting doesn't mean the fun has to end...that's a new perspective for me this year. i hope it makes me enjoy these next 10 months a little bit more. last year was long and tedious...and long. did i mention long??

anyway, what i meant to do on this post (before i got all emotional) was to share some pictures of my baby, who's not such a baby anymore.

this is elisha holding up her card from grandma & grandpa. she thought it was pretty cool, getting to open her own mail!

the birthday cake.

i was suprised i got it all done. we got home from the store at 3pm and baking commenced then. it was all decorated, ready to go by 7:30. elisha kept on saying how she wanted a peanut cake and although i would have loved to shape a peanut out of 2 round cake pans, i just didn't want to try it. i really didn't think it would work and frosting it would have been a disaster. so i used a peanut butter cake with peanut butter frosting. as i was frosting it, i realized it was going to like a big pile of brown frosting, so i threw in the orange to give it a little zing. everyone was happy. and it was cheaper and yummier than a storebought cake.

so, now that the kids' birthdays are done for 2009, only 115 days til christmas!