FIVE YEARS AGO

**WARNING! LONG POST!**

I find it hard to believe, but it was really that long ago. But I find myself asking "Really?" Can it be possible that five years have gone by since my littlest guy was born? It is sad to think of how fast the time we have with our little ones flies by us, like the blink of an eye... To me, the age of five seems to be so old. It's sort of a rite of passage, from baby or toddlerhood to "big kid." So I officially no longer have a toddler-aged child. That is really strange for me to say because since having my first child 12 years ago, I have never been without either a baby or toddler in our family. I guess this is also a new stage in life for me, too. Shall we call it "getting old?" Inevitable, I guess, but I don't think I'm ready for that quite yet!

So, a word of advice for all of you mommies out there...spend every minute with your kids that you possibly can. The first five years go fast, but the nex 5 go even faster! And I don't even want to know how fast the five after that go.

I can say this.... I am loving the age that Callen is now, and I wish I could keep him like this (selfishly)forever. Not a day goes by that he doesn't say something that makes me laugh, and then something that melts my heart.

I have chosen some of my favorite photos of Callen from each year that I want to share. Please excuse the poor scans of some of these! (all taken by me)

_________________________________________________________________


Newborn, with the hands of his siblings




14 MONTHS



2 YEARS





3 YEARS





4 YEARS





JUST BEFORE 5










ON HIS 5TH BIRTHDAY

with big brother

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLEN!!