Dziurlikowski Family

I have just loved watching this sweet family grow over the last several years. Their littlest, and Tess are close to the same age and have similar, third child tendencies. These toddler/teenager  inclinations can be both adorable and draining. The older siblings seem happiest when helping with the baby and the baby does not want any help at all. He is doing everything he can to prove he can keep up with the big kids. It is a familiar dance we move to around here. A constant mantra of "I do it, I do!" We help these little ones along gracefully, trying to balance their independence and common human safety. Constantly distracting when they can't quite make it. It is quite the juggling act, usually resulting in spontaneous tears rolling down their large, round cheeks. These babies turned toddlers have such strong will. I hope they will always maintain the tenacity they have now, this desire to do. But as I chase my littlest around, amidst all of her "doing", I'm silently begging for her to please stay a baby for just a little bit longer.