My sweet baby boy is 2 years old. I know it’s cliché, but can’t I keep him little? His soft arms hugging me tight around my neck, his chubby hands reaching up to me, his fresh smile each morning when I walk in and say, “Hello, Sweetheart!”, his waves and calls of “See ya later!” He is just heaven. And now he is 2 and I’m trying to hold on to his sweet baby ways. A huge thanks to my friend, Adam Johnson, for these beautiful photos!

Clearly, a photo shoot was not what he had in mind!

He has got the best pouty face ever. What a little monkey.

Once he decided to be happy, we couldn’t get him to sit still! We ran around and around this building.

Hello there, my sweet blue eyed boy.

This look is such a classic Liam expression. He’s saying, “Huh?”

Hello, goat!

Pretty irresistible. He’s saying, “Honey!” He has yet to really call me, “Mommy,” but I love the nickname.

So delighted to be sitting in a tree! And to be alive!

Happy birthday, sweet sweet Liam! I thank my lucky stars every day that you are in my life.

4 years old already! What a little man he has become. He’s at the crossroads of toddlerhood and childhood–a place where emotions can be big and hugs can be even bigger. A big thanks to my friend, Adam Johnson, for these fantastic pictures!

Handsome boy.

Wheee! This kid had so much fun at the farm during this photo shoot.

M: What do you want to be when you grow up?

E: A museum helper.

Just out for a walk.

Such a love. He’s a mama’s boy and I sure love it. I know someday I’ll long for the sweet hugs and kisses he gives me, so I try to savor them.

Came up with this pose all on his own.

M: What’s your favorite movie?

E: Cars 2.

M: What’s your favorite T.V. show?

E. Cars 2.

My handsome fellow.

Just swinging.

And smiling.

M: What’s your favorite food?

E: Pizza.

M: What’s your favorite dessert?

E: Pizza.

The triumphant moment of the day. And what a great photo op!

I love this little boy so very much. He has brought so much joy to my life. Happy birthday, Sweetheart!

Today, we welcome Dr. Liam Haymond. Dr. Liam completed his training in feeding himself this past year and his research interests include mess making, introducing food to his hair, and hiding crumbs in his lap until his mother goes to get him out of his high chair and then observing the subsequent shower of crumbs on to the dining room floor. In his spare time, Dr. Liam enjoys giving kisses and snuggling his blankie.

Thank you for having me. Today, as you can see, we are working with a common corn dog. The specimen is of average size and length and coated in a corn-based crust.

As we consider the corn dog, it’s important to remember temperature, mouth size, and proper grasp.

As one brings the dog to one’s mouth, it’s imperative to balance to corn dog by lightly pinching the stick in one hand and using the other hand to firmly grip the top of the dog, like so.

Any questions at this point? No? In that case, we will continue.

We continue the method of pinching, gripping, and stuffing as much into the mouth as possible, all along the length of the dog. I will demonstrate.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how to properly consume a corn dog. Thank you again for having me and best of luck in your own eating endeavors.

We’ve been so busy lately!

Liam really enjoys creating installation art in the kitchen.

The kids building a mega fort.

Amelie made her first cake. Turned out pretty cute and tasted good, too!

Easton loves preschool! Here he is at the car wash center during their transportation unit.

Saw these at the grocery store–took me right back to my childhood in El Salvador!

Could this guy get any cuter? Almost time to celebrate his 2nd birthday!

It’s been a fun month!

This week marks kind of a unique record for me. As of this week, I have been not pregnant for 22 months. Since Bryce and I got married in 2004 and having a baby became a real possibility for me, this is the longest I have been “not pregnant.” It’s a strange place to be. On the one hand, I love that my baby is getting more independent and that I can leave him with a sitter and not worry about nursing. On the other hand, I found so much joy in carrying a little life inside of me–feeling baby move, sharing our little secret world, being filled with the anticipation of meeting a brand new little person. On the one hand, I love things like actually sleeping at night and my wonderful doula work would be very hard to do as a pregnant or nursing mother. On the other hand, it makes me really sad that I might never again feel that tremendous excitement of bringing new life to the world. On the one hand, four keep me and Bryce plenty busy and I so look forward to our many adventures together. On the other hand, I sure do love new babies.

It’s a good thing I get to see a lot of new babies these days! As I consider closing one part of my creative life, becoming a doula has rebirthed me in so many ways. It excites me, engages me, and allows me to work with people on such an intimate level. I love it.

But today, in honor of my sweet babies, here they are in all their precious deliciousness. I sure do love you my little ones.

Amelie.

Calder.

Easton.

Liam.