these are the days.

Sometimes I have so much to say that I become too overwhelmed and I can't put my thoughts into words. This usually happens to me at very unfortunate times. Like, when I want to write a really special letter of thanks, or a good-bye note. Or like the time I went to India, and wrote nothing about it. Or especially when so much has happened in Elliot's life and I need to write it in my journal, but words just can't express everything about him that I want to say. So, I rely on memories and pray they will keep. This is obviously not the best plan, or keeping a journal wouldn't be such an important past-time. Anyway, I finally have the time and some discipline to sit here and write about some of the best days we have had lately. I realized I rarely talk about anything personal that we are doing, or about Jace and his amazingness, or mention that I really like Cleveland. I just don't want to sit back in 20 years and say "those were the days," when I could sit here right now and say "these are the days." So,  these days..

I love Jace. I love being here with him. I love watching Elliot love his dad so much. They are best buds. I love that every morning Elliot yells, "da" from his bed. I love that we are here in Cleveland, even though I feel home-sick sometimes. I adore my little boy so much sometimes I can't stop crying (this may have something to do with the pregnancy haha.) I'm pregnant which is uncomfortable and exhausting, but amazing. I am grateful. I am nervous about having another child. I am worried for Elliot, I don't want to steal away his special moments. But, I am so grateful for the special moments we get to have everyday. Like today we went to this incredible, picturesque park, and then realized it was this huge pond too. And there was this baseball diamond filled with geese! Jace put Elliot on his shoulders and chased a few and they took flight. The look on Elliot's face was perfect. Discovery in its fullness! For the rest of the day he was "flying," flapping his little arms and running around. We fed the geese crackers and watched them follow us all the way to the big-toy. Where Jace turned into a little kid and played with Elliot on the slide until Elliot was so worn out, he was yawning all the way to the car. And I forgot the camera, so instead I sat back and took some really vivid mental pictures of one of the best days. We had a great weekend too. We splurged (which ended up being the biggest mistake we have made, maybe in our whole marriage, but we just laughed about it.) We ordered Chinese (they delivered!) But, it was horrible. What wasn't burned tasted so awful we ended up having Oreos and ice-cream for dinner. We literally threw 20 dollars of our extra spending money down the drain. But, we learned that a home-cooked meal is so much better than take-out, and a carpet picnic is fun, no matter what you are eating. Elliot thoroughly enjoyed himself. Also, since we have been in Cleveland, Jace hasn't gotten anything for himself, so we did a little early Christmas shopping. Jace got a new album of one of our favorite bands, and we have been trying to expose Elliot to some good music. He seems to have good taste so far. We also had one of the most funny experiences at the mall buying Jace shoes. It is usually a process that takes a few attempts. He has a hard time justifying buying himself anything he doesn't need. But he really needed shoes, so after about 5 stores, we found a pair he liked, and this crazy sales-person forced him to remove his old shoes so she could burn them and  then demanded he wear his new shoes out of the store. It was hilarious. I have never see him so verbally man-handled. He really is such a great sport.  He studies so hard, sometimes I need to take a nap for him. I can't believe how much he puts himself through, but that is why I love him so. Sometimes I have these moments when I remember exactly why I married him (not that I forget, but you know those moments when you just get more glad you did.) Whether he is encouraging me to take a nap, or letting me go to Target all by myself, or making a Jordan Catalano reference (if you don't know who I am talking about you really missed out on a great TV show from the 90's...and I don't think we can still be friends.) he is always thinking of me and Elliot. He is doing great in school and we are counting down the days for another little one to rock our world. But, these are the days. I am so glad I am in them with someone who is so fun and thoughtful and who genuinely seems to like me haha. Especially someone who is such a good, "da."