I found myself looking back at some old photos tonight and can't get over how much Emily Jane has grown this last year! I took these almost a year ago and can't believe how much she has changed!
She just turned three this week and while I love the age she is at now and I adore everything about her right now, I also can't stand the fact that another year is gone and she is turning into a little girl.
It's one of those things that I have a hard time figuring out in life... always looking forward with excitement about growth and change and what lies ahead and yet always feeling equally sad about how quickly it all gets left in the past and wishing I could somehow slow it all down or even freeze us in time.
I guess that's what a picture does -- freezes things for us in a sense so that we can look back and remember.... but I can't get over the longing to be able to jump back there for a little while... just for a bit -- to squeeze those cheeks that are not looking quite as chubby lately... or to have her be excited and anxious about holding my hand while crossing the street instead of wanting to run off ahead.... or just to sit and be with her -- taking it all in, soaking it all up, savoring and treasuring every single second and making sure that I would know how quickly the moment would be gone.
