Almost Two!

Cecilia my love, you are almost two! You are my favorite thing to do, watch, love, and simply be around. All the things you can do before you are two is amazing! You count to ten, but skip five because you don’t like the number. You know most of your letters and some of the sounds they make. You know all your animals, and are learning more by the day. The other day I was cooking, and you came into the kitchen and said, “mmmmm, m” I looked down and you were holding the letter m. When we walk down the street, you stop and point to all the letters you see. You LOVE the letter C!

You definitely have an attitude, so strict parenting it is. When you are in the next room you scream, “Mommy!” When I don’t respond right away, you scream, “Anda!” (Amanda) The first time your dad and I were shocked, and now you are starting to get in trouble for calling your mother by her first name. You also tell me every time you don’t like something. “No phone, Mommy” No puter, Mommy” No kissin Daddy, Mommy” My favorite is when you look at your Mom and Dad and say, “Mommy happy, Daddy happy, Celia happy.” I will never forget how much you love telling us you are happy.

You love to change diapers. You change George’s diaper and say, “Dang you stinky!” I now must think before I talk, because obviously you hear everything! You are obsessed with some Curious George. This was not your stuffed animal, but you took it from Cruz and sleep with him every night. It is impossible to tell you “No” when you ask, “Hold you?” It is so sweet, and even being 8 months pregnant, I pick you right up and carry you anywhere. You are my precious girl! I am beyond blessed to have you, and thank God for you everyday.

You love to help feed Cruz! I am feeding him here, and he looks all around the room while eating! He wants in all the action!

Cruz's first time swinging! Auntie Aisha didn't swing him too high, but your dad seems to think you need to wrap around the swing set in order to have a good time.

My precious boy and you hanging out in your chair. He grabs your face and hair so hard, but you never get mad at him. (Just when he cries.)

Staying at Home.

Work is coming to an end. It is going to be very sad for me. I love my job. It has been the hardest year teaching for me, because some of my kids were defiant, had ADHD, came from very rough families, or were so amazing I wanted them for my own. When I go to sleep at night, I love knowing that my babies (they hate when I call them this) know I will be there for them. Some of my kids make me a better me. They teach me to be thankful for everything I have. They teach me not to judge any type of community, because unless you have lived someone's life, there is no way you can judge how you would live it. I will always remember my children. I love them, pray for them, and carry their lessons for a lifetime.

I have decided to stay at home with you and your brother, because I want to have those years with you. This is not something I take lightly. Many stay-at-home moms do not get the credit they deserve. Many of my friends who stay at home miss their careers terribly, talk with children all day long, and don’t always feel that big sense of accomplishment. I am told you will feel the up-most accomplished when your kids are grown. Being at home with you part-time this year was extremely rewarding. We did so many things together. We always looked for an adventure, and I will always remember our time together. I will never regret seeing you and your brother grow every step of the way. I already have friends asking me when I am going to put Cealy in school. I can't even imagine not being with you all day my little Ceal. I will do my best to teach you everyday, and then let go when I have to.

I will cherish our time together, because I know how hard it is for working moms to work all day and not see their kids all the time. It can be exhausting. It is a prayer I say during the day. "Thank you Lord for allowing me this time with Cealy. I know many mothers would do anything for it."

So as I leave, I have a heavy heart. I know I will go back. I can’t promise I will work in the inner city. It is extremely challenging, and the workload is at times unthinkable. However, I have a feeling I will be pulled in that direction. I believe everyone has a calling and most times God needs me there. I thank my school in Chicago for allowing me the opportunity to grow into the teacher I have become in those three years. I thank some of the community for embracing me and many of the moms for treating me with such respect and love. You are my family.

Leaving Chicago.

There is so much to say about leaving your home of Chicago. Your dad and I are very excited to get back to Indianapolis and be around our family and friends. We want you and your little brother to be surrounded by love. It is going to be hard to say goodbye to Chicago. Knowing we are leaving in a few short weeks scares me. I take every second with you in the city and breathe it all in. You have become a very independent, happy almost 2 year old and living here has had a lot to do with it. We are always looking for the next adventure. We went to Music Class this morning and then ate outside Einstein's watching the buses and people go by. We take very long walks and find different parks to explore. We visit different parks each week, and right now we have about 8 different ones we love! It was a difficult winter. Chicago is very cold and as you say, "Windy Mommy, Windy." It will be wonderful to have a backyard and jump in our car to go somewhere. However, I love walking so we will be the weird Larners who walk most everywhere in Indy. It will also be most wonderful not to pass someone daily who is scary and screams for no reason, or asks you an odd question, and I have to skip a little faster away.

You are talking a lot. Cruz came to visit this weekend, and you are certainly obsessed with him. You will not let your dad even touch the baby, but I can hold him all I want. This may get interesting with the new baby coming soon. You like to say No to everything, even the things you like. "No Passy, No Night Night, No Park, No Eat, No Applesauce." I am impressed by all the names you know. You are getting to know your colors and sing songs with me. You always say "Hi" and use the names of the door or garage men. "Hi Loronzo" and then you go and give them a high-five.

I will always cherish this city, and the time our family spent here. We will visit often, and we stay near our old place and go to all of our favorite places. We will build new memories in our new neighborhood.