She’s never been much into dolls (or princesses or ballerinas or pink).

She likes running and biking and fighting sharks and jumping on the bed. She likes doing crafts and making peanut butter balls and playing “hide and sneak.”

That said, every once in awhile, she’ll line up her dolls on the bed and play doctor with her stethoscope and blood pressure monitor and thermometer. Yesterday she said, “When I get as big as you, I am going to be a doctor.”

I think this picture was taken after they all had their check-ups.

She was 17 months old when this photo was taken – our lively, beautiful, firstborn…the one who changed our lives forever.

And now she is 3 (THREE!). She is chewing gum, riding bikes, chasing dreams.

Yesterday, she said: “When I am fifteen, I am going to drive our car – and you and daddy are going to ride in the back.”

I have a dream that one day every baby all around the world will have food to eat, a safe place to live, and a family to love.

I have a dream that one day every baby will be wanted completely, loved gently, and held often.

* 11 months old

This evening, Tim and I bundled the girls up in the double jogging stroller and went out running just before sunset.

A soft rain drizzled down on us as our feet hit the pavement. We talked about our days and our dreams and our daughters…

It was a good way to burn the last few bits of daylight – with my heart pumping and my family by my side.

* 10 months old

She has a beautiful corduroy pea coat with over-sized buttons. And an elegant pastel pink jacket with puffed sleeves. And a fuchsia zip-up sweater with butterflies on one side.

But…

she always wants to wear her “U of A sweatshirt.” Future Wildcat, perhaps?

***One of the many things that I love about living in Southern Arizona…

*** photos taken by Bob Hitchcock of Design Photography.

***See other photos from this session - Wordless Wednesday: Family Photo Shoot and this is the life.